der
Report
🧐 What exactly is a 'Report'?
Der Report (noun, masculine) refers to a detailed, often factual account or statement about a specific event, investigation, or situation. It serves the purpose of conveying information and documentation.
It is a loanword from English (report) or French (rapport).
🚨 Attention: Although it comes from English, the gender in German is masculine: der Report.
📐 Mastering Grammar: Declension of 'Report'
The noun 'der Report' is declined as follows:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Report |
| Genitive | des | Reports |
| Dative | dem | Report |
| Accusative | den | Report |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Reporte |
| Genitive | der | Reporte |
| Dative | den | Reporten |
| Accusative | die | Reporte |
Example Sentences
- Der Journalist schrieb einen ausführlichen Report über die Konferenz.
(The journalist wrote a detailed report about the conference.) - Der jährliche Finanzreport wurde dem Vorstand vorgelegt.
(The annual financial report was presented to the board.) - Hast du den technischen Report schon gelesen?
(Have you read the technical report yet?) - Die Qualität des Reports war hervorragend.
(The quality of the report was excellent.) - Wir warten gespannt auf die Veröffentlichung der neuen Reporte.
(We are eagerly awaiting the publication of the new reports.)
🗣️ How to Use 'der Report'?
'Der Report' is frequently used in professional, scientific, or journalistic contexts. It implies a structured and fact-based presentation of information.
- Typical Contexts: Business reports (Geschäftsberichte), research reports (Forschungsreporte), news reports, bug reports in IT (Fehlerberichte).
- Difference from 'Bericht': 'Bericht' is a more general term. A 'Report' is often more formal, detailed, or has a specific investigative character. However, in everyday language, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
- Difference from 'Reportage': Eine Reportage (die Reportage) is often more subjective and narrative than a factual 'Report'.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of DER boss (der Chef) who demands DER important report. Masculine authority demands the masculine report.
Meaning Mnemonic: Re-PORTing means carrying (Latin: portare) something back (re-). You carry back the information in the form of a report.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der Bericht: The most general alternative (report, account).
- Die Meldung: Often shorter, related to current events (message, notification).
- Das Gutachten: A report containing an expert opinion/assessment (expert report, assessment).
- Die Analyse: A report that investigates and breaks something down (analysis).
- Die Darstellung: Focuses on the way information is presented (presentation, account).
Antonyms (conceptual opposites):
- Die Vermutung / Die Spekulation: Unproven assumption instead of a factual report (assumption / speculation).
- Das Gerücht: Unconfirmed information (rumor).
- Die Verschweigung / Das Zurückhalten von Informationen: The opposite of reporting (concealment / withholding information).
Similar, but different words:
- Die Reportage: A more subjective, narrative report (feature story).
- Der Rapport: (often military) message; also good relationship/connection (from French).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie schon den Monatsreport fertig?"
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Nein, Chef, ich dachte, 'Report' ist eine Sportart, bei der man schnell rennt?"
Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Have you finished the monthly report yet?"
The employee replies: "No, boss, I thought 'Report' was a sport where you run fast?" (A pun on 'Report' sounding a bit like 'Rennsport' - racing - if you mishear it).
📜 A Poem About the Report
Der Report, ganz klar und rein,
fasst Fakten knapp zusammen fein.
Ob Zahlen, Daten, Neuigkeiten,
er soll uns Klarheit vorbereiten.
Schwarz auf weiß, Seite für Seite,
bringt er Wissen in die Weite.
Des Reports Genitiv, ganz adrett,
lautet "des Reports", komplett.
Translation:
The report, quite clear and pure,
summarizes facts concisely, demure.
Whether numbers, data, news to tell,
it should prepare clarity well.
Black on white, page after page,
it brings knowledge to the wide stage.
The report's genitive, quite neat,
is "des Reports", complete.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bringe Kunde, schwarz auf weiß,
bin oft Ergebnis harten Fleiß'.
Im Büro bin ich sehr gefragt,
hab' 'der' als Artikel, wie gesagt.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I bring tidings, black on white,
often the result of hard-working might.
In the office, I'm in high demand,
have 'der' as my article, as planned.
What am I?
Solution: der Report
💡 Other Tidbits
Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): 'Report' is often part of longer words specifying its meaning:
- Finanzreport (Financial report)
- Wochenreport (Weekly report)
- Testreport (Test report)
- Schadensreport (Damage report)
- Abschlussreport (Final report)
International Usage: The word 'Report' is understood in many languages, highlighting its usefulness in international contexts.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Report?
The German word 'Report' is masculine. The correct article is der. The genitive case is 'des Reports' and the plural form is 'die Reporte'.