der
Roller
🛴 What Exactly is a Roller?
The German word der Roller has several meanings, but it is always masculine:
- Motorroller: A scooter or moped, a two-wheeled motor vehicle similar to a motorcycle but often with a step-through frame and smaller wheels. Very popular in cities. 🛵
- Tretroller (also Cityroller): A kick scooter, a human-powered vehicle with a deck, handlebars, and wheels, propelled by pushing off the ground with one leg. Popular with children and adults for short distances.
- Farbroller (also Malerrolle): A paint roller, a tool used for painting large flat surfaces, consisting of a roller cage covered by an absorbent sleeve and attached to a handle. 🖌️
⚠️ Although the meanings differ, they all use the masculine article der.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Devices → mostly masculine.
Caution: das Gerät
-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 Roller
The noun "Roller" is masculine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Roller |
| Genitive | des | Rollers |
| Dative | dem | Roller |
| Accusative | den | Roller |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Roller |
| Genitive | der | Roller |
| Dative | den | Rollern |
| Accusative | die | Roller |
📝 Example Sentences
- Er fährt mit dem Roller zur Arbeit. (He rides the scooter [moped] to work.)
- Die Kinder spielen im Park mit ihren Rollern. (The children are playing in the park with their scooters [kick scooters].)
- Reich mir bitte den Roller, ich muss die Decke streichen. (Please pass me the [paint] roller, I need to paint the ceiling.)
🌐 How to Use "Roller"?
The context usually clarifies which type of Roller is meant:
- When discussing transportation or urban mobility, "Roller" typically refers to the Motorroller (moped/scooter), e.g., "Ich miete mir einen E-Roller." (I'm renting an e-scooter.).
- When talking about children's toys or leisure activities, it often means the Tretroller (kick scooter), e.g., "Pass auf, da kommt ein Kind mit dem Roller!" (Watch out, there's a child coming on a scooter!).
- In a hardware store or during renovation work, the Farbroller (paint roller) is the subject, e.g., "Für die Wand brauchen wir einen breiten Roller." (We need a wide roller for the wall.).
Distinction: A Mofa is slower than a Motorroller. A Kickboard is a type of Tretroller, often with three wheels. The English word "scooter" can translate to both Motorroller and Tretroller.
🧠 Mnemonics to Help You Remember
- Article: Imagine a strong man (masculine -> der) rolling away on his Roller. The masculine image helps remember "der".
- Meaning: The word "Roller" comes from the verb "rollen" (to roll). Whether it's wheels rolling on the street (Motor-/Tretroller) or the cylinder rolling on the wall (Farbroller) – something is rolling!
Der Roller rolls around the town, sometimes up and sometimes down!
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Motorroller: Scooter (often used in English), Moped (partially, as Mofas are slower)
- Tretroller: Scooter (often used in English), Cityroller, Kickboard (specific type)
- Farbroller: Farbwalze, Malerrolle, Malerwalze (all mean paint roller/cylinder)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Motorroller/Tretroller: Fahrrad (bicycle - different propulsion), Auto (car - four wheels, larger), zu Fuß gehen (walking)
- Farbroller: Pinsel (paintbrush - for details/edges), Sprühpistole (spray gun - different application method)
⚠️ Be cautious: Although "Scooter" is often used as a synonym, in German it can refer to both Motorroller and Tretroller. Context is key.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Maler seinen Farbroller mit ins Bett genommen?
Damit er die Decke streiche(l)n kann! 😄
(Why did the painter take his paint roller to bed?
So he could stroke/paint the ceiling! - It's a pun: "streichen" means 'to paint' and 'to stroke/caress', "Decke" means 'ceiling' and 'blanket'.)
📜 A Little Poem
Der Roller, schnell und sehr adrett,
fährt durch die Stadt, ganz ohne Bett.
Mal Tret-, mal Motor-, mal mit Farb',
er rollt und rollt, ganz ohne Arg.
Der Artikel, der ist immer "der",
das zu merken, ist nicht schwer!
(The scooter, quick and very neat,
Drives through the city, oh so sweet.
Sometimes kick, or motor, paint apply,
It rolls and rolls, way up high.
The article is always "der",
Remembering that isn't rare!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe Räder, doch bin kein Rad.
Ich trage Farbe, doch mal' kein Porträt.
Ich bring' dich flott von A nach B,
manchmal mit Strom, manchmal per Zeh.
Was bin ich?
(I have wheels, but I'm not a bike.
I carry paint, but paint no portrait alike.
I take you quickly from A to B,
Sometimes with power, sometimes pushed by knee.
What am I?)
(Answer: Der Roller - in its various meanings)
💡 More Tidbits about the German Roller
- Word Composition: The word "Roller" derives from the verb "rollen" (to roll) + the suffix "-er" (often indicating a tool or a person/thing performing an action).
- Popular Rollers: Brands like Vespa are iconic examples of Motorroller. For Tretroller, there are many variations, including electric ones (Elektroroller or E-Scooter).
- Rules: In Germany, you need a driver's license for a Motorroller. Traffic rules also apply to electric kick scooters (E-Tretroller).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Roller?
The German word "Roller" is always masculine, regardless of its specific meaning (moped, kick scooter, or paint roller). Therefore, the correct article is always der Roller.