der
Revolver
🔫 What Exactly is a Revolver?
The German word der Revolver refers to a specific type of handgun. Its characteristic feature is a rotating cylinder (die Trommel) with multiple chambers holding the cartridges (die Patronen). With each shot, the cylinder rotates to align the next cartridge with the barrel (der Lauf) and firing pin (der Schlagbolzen).
There is only one article for this word: der Revolver. It is a masculine noun.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-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 Spotlight: Der Revolver
The noun "Revolver" is masculine. Here is its declension (Deklination):
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Revolver |
| Genitive | des | Revolvers |
| Dative | dem | Revolver |
| Accusative | den | Revolver |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Revolver |
| Genitive | der | Revolver |
| Dative | den | Revolvern |
| Accusative | die | Revolver |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Polizist trug seinen Revolver am Gürtel. (The police officer carried his revolver on his belt.)
- Im Westernfilm zog der Cowboy schnell seinen Revolver. (In the western movie, the cowboy quickly drew his revolver.)
- Die Sammlung umfasste mehrere historische Revolver. (The collection included several historical revolvers.)
- Die Mechanik des Revolvers ist faszinierend. (The mechanics of the revolver are fascinating.)
🎯 Usage in Context
The term "Revolver" is primarily used in the context of weapons (die Waffen) and firearms (die Schusswaffen). You'll find it in discussions about:
- Military and police (Militär und Polizei)
- Sport shooting (Sportschießen)
- Weapon collections (Waffensammlungen)
- Historical contexts (e.g., Wild West - Wilder Westen)
- Crime and self-defense (Kriminalität und Selbstverteidigung)
- Movies and literature (Filme und Literatur), especially Westerns and crime stories
Compared to "Pistole" (pistol), "Revolver" specifically refers to the type of handgun with a rotating cylinder, whereas "Pistole" is a more general term for a handgun, usually featuring a magazine in the grip.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of a stereotypical cowboy or policeman (masculine figure) – DER Mann (the man) carries DER Revolver. The strong, male image helps remember the masculine article 'der'.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from English "to revolve". Picture the rotating cylinder – it revolves. That's the core mechanism of the Revolver.
🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Trommelrevolver (cylinder revolver)
- Colt (often used generically, though it's a brand name)
- Faustfeuerwaffe (handgun - broader term)
- Schießeisen (colloquial for 'shooter' or 'gat')
- Knarre (colloquial, slang for 'gun')
⚠️ Similar but Different Terms:
😂 A Shot of Humor
Warum hat der Revolver beim Pokern verloren?
(Why did the revolver lose at poker?)
Er hatte nur sechs Schuss im Lauf, aber sein Gegner hatte ein Ass im Ärmel!
(He only had six shots in the barrel, but his opponent had an ace up his sleeve!)
📜 Verses about the Revolver
Der Revolver
(The Revolver)
Sechs Kammern kalt, aus Stahl gemacht,
(Six chambers cold, made out of steel,)
Ein Klick, die Trommel weiter kracht.
(A click, the cylinder turns with might.)
Im Westernstaub, in dunkler Nacht,
(In Western dust, in darkest night,)
Der Revolver hält oft Wacht.
(The revolver often keeps the watch.)
Ein Symbol für Macht, Gefahr,
(A symbol of power, danger stark,)
Seine Geschichte ist längst klar.
(Its history has left its mark.)
❓ Who Am I? A Riddle
Ich habe eine Trommel, doch spiele keine Musik.
(I have a drum/cylinder, but play no music.)
Ich habe Kammern, doch bin kein Haus.
(I have chambers, but am not a house.)
Ich kann knallen, doch bin kein Feuerwerk.
(I can bang, but am not a firework.)
Man kennt mich aus dem Wilden Westen gut.
(I'm well known from the Wild West.)
Wer bin ich? / Who am I?
Answer: Der Revolver
💡 Trivia about the Revolver
- Etymology: The word "Revolver" comes from the English verb "to revolve", referring to the rotating cylinder. It was adopted into German in the 19th century. (Das Wort "Revolver" stammt vom englischen Verb "to revolve" ab, was "sich drehen" bedeutet.)
- Famous Models: The Colt Peacemaker (Single Action Army) is arguably one of the most famous revolvers in history, often called "the gun that won the West". (Der Colt Peacemaker ist einer der bekanntesten Revolver.)
- Action Types: The main distinction is between single-action revolvers (hammer must be cocked manually) and double-action revolvers (pulling the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer). (Man unterscheidet Single-Action- und Double-Action-Revolver.)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Revolver?
The word "Revolver" is masculine and only takes the article der. It refers to a handgun characterized by its rotating cylinder. There are no alternative articles or meanings for this noun.