der  Real

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁeˈaːl/

💰 What does 'der Real' mean?

The word der Real primarily has two meanings in German:

• Currency 🇧🇷: Der Real (plural: Real or Reais) is the official currency of Brazil. Its ISO code is BRL.
• Former Supermarket Chain 🛒: Real was the name of a well-known German hypermarket chain that existed until 2024. People often referred to the store as "der Real" (e.g., "Ich gehe zum Real." - "I'm going to Real."). This is a proper noun that was treated like a masculine noun in colloquial use.

🚨 Caution: Don't confuse 'der Real' with the adjective 'real', which means 'real' or 'actual'.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Real

The noun 'Real' is masculine, taking the article der. Its declension depends on the meaning.

Declension (Currency)

The currency is often declined as a strong noun. The plural is usually unchanged 'Real' or follows the Portuguese model 'Reais'. Sometimes a Germanized plural 'Reals' is used, but this is less common.

Declension (Supermarket - Proper Noun)

As a proper name for the supermarket chain, 'Real' was usually not declined.

Example Sentences

1. Der Wechselkurs zum brasilianischen Real ist heute günstig.
   (The exchange rate for the Brazilian Real is favorable today.)
2. Wie viele Real kostet das?
   (How many Reais does that cost?)
3. Früher habe ich immer bei Real eingekauft.
   (I used to always shop at Real.)
4. Der nächste Real war 10 Kilometer entfernt.
   (The nearest Real was 10 kilometers away.)

💡 How 'der Real' is Used

The usage of der Real depends on the context:

• Currency: Used in finance, when traveling to Brazil, or in international trade. Often seen with exchange rates (e.g., „Euro in Real tauschen“ - “to exchange Euros for Reals”). The plural form „Reais“ is often used by experts or in Portuguese-speaking contexts; in German, „Real“ is also common as the plural.
• Supermarket: Was used in everyday language for shopping or giving directions (e.g., „Wir treffen uns vor dem Real.“ - “We'll meet in front of Real.”). Since the chain closed, this meaning is only historically relevant.

Comparison:

• Der Real vs. real (adjective): It's important to distinguish it from the lowercase adjective real (real, actual). Example: „Ist das ein realer Preis oder nur ein Beispiel?“ (Is that a real price or just an example?) vs. „Das kostet 50 Real.“ (That costs 50 Reals.)
• Der Real vs. die Realschule: No connection to the type of secondary school (Realschule).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Real'

For the article (der): Think of DER King (der König) of Brazil paying with DER currency, der Real. Or: Imagine a DERelict supermarket that used to be REALly big – that was der Real.

For the meaning (currency): Imagine you are in Rio and need REAL money – the Brazilian Real.

🔄 Synonyms and Similar Words

Similar, but different words ⚠️

• real (adjective): wirklich, tatsächlich, echt (real, actual). Example: eine reale Gefahr (a real danger).
• Die Realschule: A type of secondary school in Germany.
• Das Real: Rare, possibly a philosophical term for 'the real' / 'reality'.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Tourist in Rio sein ganzes Geld verloren?
(Why did the tourist in Rio lose all his money?)

Er dachte, der Wechselkurs wäre nur ein real-istisches Angebot!
(He thought the exchange rate was just a REAL-istic offer!)

📜 Poem about the Real

In Brasilien, fern und heiß,
(In Brazil, far and hot,)
zahlt man mit 'nem andren Preis.
(they pay with a different price.)
Nicht Euro, Dollar, Pfund im Tal,
(Not Euro, Dollar, Pound in the valley,)
die Währung dort heißt der Real.
(the currency there is called the Real.)

Früher gab's auch hier im Land,
(There used to be in this country too,)
einen Laden, wohlbekannt.
(a store, well-known.)
Für Einkauf groß, ganz kolossal,
(For big shopping, quite colossal,)
ging man gern zum alten Real.
(people liked going to the old Real.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin 'ne Münze, bunt und fein,
(I am a coin, colorful and fine,)
in Südamerika bin ich daheim.
(in South America I am at home.)
Ich war auch mal ein großer Laden,
(I also used to be a big store,)
doch diese Zeiten sind nun Gnadengaben.
(but those times are now blessings past.)

Wer bin ich, sag es schnell und schlau,
(Who am I, tell me quick and clever,)
mal Geld, mal Einkauf, ganz genau?
(sometimes money, sometimes shopping, precisely?)

Solution: der Real

Trivia

Etymology: The name of the currency „Real“ derives from the Portuguese word „real“, meaning “royal” (similar to the former Spanish currency “Real”).

Supermarket History: The supermarket chain Real originally belonged to the Metro Group and was sold in 2020, subsequently being broken up. The last stores closed in March 2024.