der
Renner
🏃♂️ What exactly is 'der Renner'?
The German word der Renner primarily has two meanings:
-
Meaning 1: A person (or animal) who runs, especially in a competition. A runner.
Example: Er war der schnellste Renner im Marathon. (He was the fastest runner in the marathon.)
-
Meaning 2 (more common, colloquial): A product, service, song, movie, etc., that sells exceptionally well or is very popular. A bestseller, box-office hit, or hit.
Example: Dieses neue Smartphone ist der absolute Renner dieses Jahr. (This new smartphone is the absolute hit this year.)
⚠️ Although both meanings exist, 'der Renner' is much more frequently used in modern language in the sense of "bestseller" or "hit".
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ner → almost always masculine.
Compare with the category '-er'.
-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: 'Der Renner' in Detail
Der Renner is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Renner |
| Genitive | des | Renners |
| Dative | dem | Renner |
| Accusative | den | Renner |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Renner |
| Genitive | der | Renner |
| Dative | den | Rennern |
| Accusative | die | Renner |
Example Sentences
- (Meaning 1) Der schnellste Renner überquerte die Ziellinie. (The fastest runner crossed the finish line.)
- (Meaning 1) Mein Hund ist ein echter Renner, wenn er einen Ball sieht. (My dog is a real runner when he sees a ball.)
- (Meaning 2) Das Buch war letztes Jahr der große Renner im Weihnachtsgeschäft. (The book was the big hit last year during the Christmas shopping season.)
- (Meaning 2) Diese bunten Socken sind bei Jugendlichen gerade der letzte Renner. (These colorful socks are currently the latest craze among teenagers.)
💡 Everyday Usage: When to use 'der Renner'?
Context is key:
- Sporting Context (Meaning 1): Here, der Renner refers to a participant in a running competition or a fast animal (e.g., Rennpferd - racehorse). Synonyms like Läufer (runner) or Sprinter are often more precise.
-
Colloquial Context (Meaning 2): This is the most common usage. You talk about a Renner when something (a product, idea, trend) is very successful and popular. It implies high demand or great popularity.
- Typical phrases: "Das ist der absolute Renner!" (That's the absolute hit!), "ein echter Renner sein" (to be a real hit), "sich zum Renner entwickeln" (to develop into a hit).
Distinction from similar words:
- Läufer: More specific for a person who runs (sports, hobby).
- Bestseller: Primarily refers to books, but can be used for other products. Renner is more colloquial and broadly applicable.
- Hit: Often used for songs, movies, or trends. Very similar to Renner in meaning 2.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article 'der'
Imagine a male marathon runner (der Läufer) who runs ('rennt') to the finish line first, making him DER Renner. Alternatively, think of a bestseller (often associated with masculine 'success' - 'der Erfolg') that makes the cash registers run ('rennen').
Meanings
The word comes from rennen (to run). Either someone is running (the runner) or something is figuratively 'running' up the bestseller charts (the hit).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms
- For Meaning 1 (Runner): Läufer (runner), Sprinter, Wettkämpfer (competitor)
- For Meaning 2 (Bestseller/Hit): Kassenschlager (box-office hit, literally 'cash register hitter'), Bestseller, Hit, Verkaufsschlager (big seller), Zugpferd (mainstay, drawcard), Publikumsliebling (crowd favorite), Dauerbrenner (long-lasting hit, perennial favorite)
Antonyms
- For Meaning 1 (Runner): Geher (walker), Schleicher (slowpoke), Nachzügler (straggler)
- For Meaning 2 (Bestseller/Hit): Ladenhüter (shelf warmer, slow seller), Flop, Niete (dud, blank), Reinfall (flop, failure), Penner (coll., bum, loser - used for something worthless/unsuccessful)
Beware of Confusion
- Penner (der): Colloquial, often derogatory term for a homeless person or a lazy person. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum kaufen Schnecken keine schnellen Autos?
Weil sie Angst haben, dass auf dem Tacho steht: "0 auf 100 in einem Tag" - das wäre ihnen dann doch zu viel Renner!
Translation: Why don't snails buy fast cars?
Because they're afraid the speedometer will say: "0 to 100 in one day" - that would be too much of a 'Renner' (runner/racer) for them!
📜 A Poem about 'der Renner'
Ob Buch, ob Spiel, ob neuer Schuh,
Man kauft es schnell, greift eifrig zu.
Es steht ganz oben, ohne Frage,
Ein echter Renner, Tag für Tage.
Auch auf der Bahn, schnell wie der Wind,
Ein Läufer flink, das Siegerkind.
Er läuft voraus, lässt andre steh'n,
Man kann den Renner jubeln seh'n.
Translation:
Be it book, or game, or new shoe,
People buy it fast, eagerly grab it too.
It's right at the top, without a doubt,
A real hit (Renner), day in, day out.
Also on the track, swift as the breeze,
A nimble runner, the winning child, if you please.
He runs ahead, leaves others behind,
You can see the runner (Renner) cheering, one of a kind.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich kann ein Mensch auf schnellen Sohlen sein,
bring' meinem Team oft Sieg und Jubel ein.
Doch bin ich auch ein Ding, das jeder will,
verkauft sich rasend schnell und steht nie still.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Der Renner
Translation:
I can be a person on fast soles,
Often bringing victory and cheers for my team's goals.
But I am also a thing that everyone desires,
Sells incredibly fast and never tires.
What am I?
Solution: Der Renner (The runner / The hit)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition
The word Renner is derived from the verb rennen (to run quickly). The suffix -er forms a noun here, denoting a person or thing that performs the action expressed by the verb or is associated with it.
Trivia
- In horse racing (Pferderennsport), the term "Renner" is often used specifically for racehorses.
- The colloquial meaning of "bestseller" likely originated because such products "run off the shelves" on their own, or the demand is so high that sellers can barely keep up (they have to "run").
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Renner?
The word "Renner" is always masculine. So, you say der Renner (nominative singular), des Renners (genitive singular), dem Renner (dative singular), and den Renner (accusative singular). The plural form is die Renner. It refers either to a runner or, more commonly in colloquial speech, to a very successful item or hit.