der  Römer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʁøːmɐ/

🏛️ What does "der Römer" mean?

The German word der Römer has several meanings:

• An inhabitant of Rome or the Roman Empire: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a male person from the city of Rome (present-day or historically) or a citizen of the ancient Roman Empire. (Example: Cäsar war ein berühmter Römer. - Caesar was a famous Roman.)
• A specific type of wine glass: A Römer is also a traditional drinking glass for wine, especially white wine. It typically has a bulbous bowl and a thick, often green or brown, ribbed or studded stem/foot. 🍷
• A town hall (Frankfurt am Main): Der Römer is the name of the historic town hall of Frankfurt am Main and a famous landmark. It refers to the building complex on the Römerberg square. 🏙️

🚨 Important: All these meanings use the masculine article der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "der Römer" in Detail

The noun "der Römer" is masculine. It follows the n-declension when referring to the person, but not when referring to the glass or the Frankfurt town hall.

Declension (Person)

When "Römer" refers to a person, it belongs to the n-declension (weak masculine nouns).

Declension (Glass / Building)

When "Römer" refers to the glass or the building, it follows the strong declension.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Person: Der alte Römer erzählte Geschichten aus seiner Jugend. (The old Roman told stories from his youth.)
2. Person (Genitive): Die Villa des reichen Römern war prächtig. (The villa of the rich Roman was magnificent. - n-declension!)
3. Person (Plural): Viele Römer besuchten das Kolosseum. (Many Romans visited the Colosseum.)
4. Glass: Sie trank den Weißwein aus einem grünen Römer. (She drank the white wine from a green Römer glass.)
5. Glass (Genitive): Der Fuß des Römers war kunstvoll verziert. (The foot of the Römer glass was artfully decorated. - strong declension!)
6. Glass (Plural): Im Schrank standen sechs alte Römer. (There were six old Römer glasses in the cupboard.)
7. Building: Der Frankfurter Römer ist ein beliebtes Fotomotiv. (The Frankfurt Römer is a popular photo subject.)
8. Building (Genitive): Die Geschichte des Römers reicht weit zurück. (The history of the Römer goes way back. - strong declension!)

💡 How to use "der Römer"?

• Context is key: Whether a person, a glass, or the town hall is meant usually becomes clear from the context of the conversation.
• Person (historical vs. modern): When talking about ancient Römer, the Roman Empire is clearly meant. When talking about modern Römer, the inhabitants of the city of Rome are meant.
• The glass: The term Römer for the glass is primarily known in wine regions (e.g., Rheinhessen, Mosel) and in traditional contexts. Younger generations might be less familiar with the term.
• Frankfurt Römer: This usage is specific to Frankfurt am Main and its surroundings or when discussing the city. Often, people also say Römerberg (the square in front of the town hall).
• Feminine form: The feminine form for the person is die Römerin. There is no feminine form for the glass or the building.

There is little risk of confusion, as the contexts (history/geography, gastronomy/household, architecture/city) are very different.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Römer"

Remembering the article: Imagine: Der strong Roman centurion (ein Römer) drinks wine from a heavy glass (dem Römer) in front of the Frankfurt town hall (dem Römer). All three are masculine and strong → der Römer.

Remembering the meanings: Think of the 3 "R"s of Römer: Roman citizen (history), Riesling glass (wine), Rathaus/Town Hall (Frankfurt). All start with R like Römer.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Rumäne/Rumänin: Romanian. Sounds similar, but has a completely different meaning.
• Roman: Novel (literary genre). Don't confuse!

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Was hinterließen uns die Römer?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Baustellen!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "What did the Romans leave behind for us?"
Little Fritz answers: "Construction sites!"

📜 Poem about the Römer

Der Römer stolz, mit Schild und Schwert,
Sein Reich war einst die ganze Welt wert.
Doch auch ein Glas trägt diesen Namen fein,
Darin funkelt goldner Wein.
Und in Frankfurt, fest und alt,
Steht der Römer, die Machtgestalt.
Drei Dinge, doch der Name gleich,
Mal stark, mal edel, mal historienreich.

Translation:
The Roman proud, with shield and sword,
His empire once was worth the world.
But also a glass bears this fine name,
In it sparkles golden wine's flame.
And in Frankfurt, firm and old,
Stands the Römer, a power to behold.
Three things, yet the name's the same,
Sometimes strong, noble, or rich in history's fame.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Mann aus alter Zeit sein,
Ein Glas gefüllt mit kühlem Wein,
Und auch ein Haus in Frankfurt am Main.

Wer oder was bin ich, sag's fein?

Translation:
I can be a man from ancient times,
A glass filled with cool wines,
And also a house in Frankfurt on the Main lines.

Who or what am I, tell me true?

Solution: der Römer

🧩 Other Information

• Etymology: The word Römer derives directly from the city name Rom (Rome, Latin Roma).
• The Römer Glass: The name of the glass is said to have originated because glassmakers north of the Alps tried to imitate ancient Roman glasses, often using Waldglas (forest glass), which had a greenish tint due to iron oxides. The studs (Noppen) on the stem might have helped to hold the glass securely even with greasy fingers (at medieval banquets).
• The Frankfurt Römer: The name of the town hall comes from the middle one of the originally three independent houses, the Haus zum Römer. In the 14th century, it belonged to a merchant family with strong trade relations to Italy, especially Rome. The city bought the houses in 1405.