der
Reeder
🚢 What is a Reeder?
A der Reeder (masculine) is a person or company that owns ships and operates them (equips and crews them) for the transport of goods or people. The Reeder bears the economic responsibility for their fleet.
Example: Der Hamburger Reeder investierte in neue Containerschiffe. (The Hamburg shipowner invested in new container ships.)
The female form is die Reederin.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
🧐 Grammar of der Reeder in Detail
The noun 'Reeder' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Reeder |
| Genitive | des | Reeders |
| Dative | dem | Reeder |
| Accusative | den | Reeder |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Reeder |
| Genitive | der | Reeder |
| Dative | den | Reedern |
| Accusative | die | Reeder |
Example Sentences
- Der Reeder besichtigt sein neues Schiff. (The shipowner inspects his new ship. - Nominative Singular)
- Das Vermögen des Reeders ist beträchtlich. (The shipowner's fortune is considerable. - Genitive Singular)
- Wir danken dem Reeder für die Zusammenarbeit. (We thank the shipowner for the cooperation. - Dative Singular)
- Man kennt den Reeder in der ganzen Stadt. (People know the shipowner throughout the city. - Accusative Singular)
- Die Reeder trafen sich zu einer Konferenz. (The shipowners met for a conference. - Nominative Plural)
- Die Entscheidungen der Reeder beeinflussen den Welthandel. (The shipowners' decisions influence world trade. - Genitive Plural)
- Die Hafenbehörde sprach mit den Reedern. (The port authority spoke with the shipowners. - Dative Plural)
- Die Versicherung deckt die Risiken der Reeder ab. (The insurance covers the shipowners' risks. - Accusative Plural)
💡 Using the Word 'Reeder'
The term 'Reeder' is primarily used in the context of shipping, trade, and the economy. It refers to the owner of sea-going vessels who uses them commercially.
- Typical Context: Business news, reports on the maritime industry, historical texts about seafaring.
- Distinction: A Kapitän (captain) commands the ship, while the Reeder owns it. A Charterer (charterer) rents a ship from the Reeder.
- Connotation: Often associated with wealth, entrepreneurship, and international trade.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Reeder'
Article Mnemonic: Remember: Der man who gets his ships ready (or 'reed') is der Reeder. (The word 'Reeder' comes from 'reden' meaning 'to equip').
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a shipowner who is a leader in the shipping industry - a Reeder.
↔️ Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms
- Schiffseigner: Very direct synonym, emphasizing ownership (ship owner).
- Schiffsbesitzer: Similar to Schiffseigner (ship owner).
- Schiffsmagnat: Refers to a very wealthy and influential Reeder (shipping magnate).
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse with Redner (speaker, orator)!
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der eine Reeder den anderen: "Warum sind deine Schiffe immer so pünktlich?"
Antwortet der andere: "Ganz einfach, ich habe ihnen beigebracht, nicht auf die Wellen zu hören, sondern auf die Uhr!"
Translation:
One shipowner asks the other: "Why are your ships always so punctual?"
The other replies: "Simple, I taught them not to listen to the waves, but to the clock!"
📜 Poem about the Reeder
Der Reeder blickt aufs weite Meer,
seine Schiffe fahren hin und her.
Mit Fracht beladen, schwer und groß,
bringt Handel ihm Gewinn ins Schoß.
Er kennt die Routen, Wind und Wellen,
lässt seine Flotte Waren schnellen.
Ein Herr der Meere, stolz und frei,
so ist des Reeders Wirkerei.
Translation:
The shipowner looks out at the wide sea,
his ships travel back and forth.
Laden with cargo, heavy and large,
trade brings profit into his lap.
He knows the routes, wind, and waves,
lets his fleet speed the goods.
A master of the seas, proud and free,
such is the shipowner's activity.
❓ Riddle
Ich habe Schiffe, doch segle nicht selbst.
Ich trage die Kosten, wenn die See sich wälzt.
Mein Geschäft ist der Transport über das Nass.
Wer bin ich, sag an, macht dir das Spaß?
Translation:
I have ships, but do not sail myself.
I bear the costs when the sea churns.
My business is transport across the water.
Who am I, tell me, is this fun for you?
Solution: Der Reeder (The shipowner)
📚 Interesting Facts
Etymology: The word 'Reeder' derives from the Low German verb 'reden', which originally meant 'to equip', 'to make ready' (especially a ship). A 'Reede' is also a roadstead, an anchorage for ships outside a harbor.
Female Form: Die Reederin
Professional Association: In Germany, the Verband Deutscher Reeder (VDR) represents the interests of the industry (German Shipowners' Association).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Reeder?
The word 'Reeder' is masculine. The correct article is der Reeder. It refers to a shipowner, meaning a person or company that owns and operates ships.