der
Republikaner
🗳️ What does "der Republikaner" mean?
The term der Republikaner primarily refers to a male person who is:
- A supporter of the republic as a form of government (as opposed to a monarchy).
- A member or supporter of a political party called "Republican", especially the Republican Party in the USA.
🚨 Important: The word refers to a person. The adjective is "republikanisch" (republican). The feminine form is "die Republikanerin" (the female republican).
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.
-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 in Detail: Der Republikaner
The noun "der Republikaner" is masculine and follows the weak declension (N-Deklination). This means it takes the ending -(e)n in all cases except the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Republikaner |
| Genitive | des | Republikanern |
| Dative | dem | Republikanern |
| Accusative | den | Republikanern |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Republikaner |
| Genitive | der | Republikaner |
| Dative | den | Republikanern |
| Accusative | die | Republikaner |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der überzeugte Republikaner sprach sich für niedrigere Steuern aus. (The convinced republican advocated for lower taxes.)
- Die Rede des Republikaners wurde im Fernsehen übertragen. (The republican's speech was broadcast on television.)
- Man gab dem Republikaner nach der Debatte Applaus. (They gave the republican applause after the debate.)
- Im Senat traf man den bekannten Republikaner. (In the Senate, they met the well-known republican.)
- Viele Republikaner nahmen an der Parteiversammlung teil. (Many republicans attended the party convention.)
🌐 How is "Republikaner" used?
The term "Republikaner" is mainly used in political and social contexts.
- Political Stance: Designation for supporters of a republic as a form of government. Example: "Im 19. Jahrhundert kämpften viele Republikaner gegen die Monarchie." (In the 19th century, many republicans fought against the monarchy.)
- Party Affiliation (USA): Very common usage to denote members or supporters of the Republican Party of the USA. Example: "Die Umfragen sehen die Republikaner derzeit vorn." (The polls currently show the Republicans ahead.)
- Distinction: It's important to distinguish it from the adjective "republikanisch" (e.g., eine republikanische Regierung - a republican government) and the feminine form "die Republikanerin" (the female republican).
⚠️ In the German context, people are more likely to speak of "Anhängern der Republik" (supporters of the republic) when referring to the form of government. The party designation primarily relates to the USA but can also refer to republican parties in other countries.
💡 Mnemonics for "der Republikaner"
Article Mnemonic: Imagine a man (masculine -> der) proudly waving a flag of a Republic – he is der Republikaner.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains "Republik". A Republikaner is someone who supports a republic or belongs to a party (often the US party) of that name. Think of the US and its two major parties.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Monarchist: (Monarchist - supporter of monarchy)
- Demokrat: (Democrat - member/supporter of the Democratic Party in the USA)
- Royalist: (Royalist - synonym for Monarchist)
⚠️ Similar Terms
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Demokrat einen Republikaner: "Warum überqueren Republikaner immer die Straße?"
Antwortet der Republikaner: "Um auf die rechte Seite zu kommen!" 😉
(A Democrat asks a Republican: "Why do Republicans always cross the road?"
The Republican answers: "To get to the right side!")
📜 Poem about the Republikaner
Der Republikaner, stolz und fest,
Für seine Werte steht er im Test.
Ob links, ob rechts, das ist hier nicht der Sinn,
Er steht zur Republik, von Anbeginn.
In Staaten, weit und auch daheim,
Trägt er den Namen, nicht nur zum Schein.
(The Republican, proud and firm,
For his values, he stands the term.
Whether left or right, that's not the aim,
He stands for the republic, from when it came.
In states afar and also home,
He bears the name, not just to roam.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich steh' für eine Staatsform ein,
Monarchie soll's für mich nicht sein.
In den USA kennt man mich gut,
Trag oft Rot, mit festem Mut.
Bin männlich, folge schwacher Zier,
Im Genitiv mit 'n' steh ich hier.
Wer bin ich?
(I stand for a form of government,
Monarchy is not my intent.
In the USA, I am well known,
Often wear red, courage shown.
I am masculine, follow a weak trait,
In the genitive with 'n', I state.
Who am I?)
(Solution: der Republikaner)
✨ Other Information
- Word Formation: The word is composed of "Republik" and the suffix "-aner", which is often used to denote affiliation or origin (like Amerikaner - American, Italiener - Italian).
- Feminine Form: The female equivalent is "die Republikanerin".
- Historical Context: The term has had different connotations in various historical periods (e.g., Roman Republic, French Revolution).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Republikaner?
The word "Republikaner" is masculine and takes the article "der". It refers to a male supporter of the republic as a form of government or (more commonly in modern usage) a supporter/member of the Republican Party, especially in the USA. It follows the n-declension.