der
Russe
🌍 What does 'der Russe' mean?
The German word der Russe refers to a male person who comes from Russia or holds Russian citizenship. It relates to nationality or origin.
It is a masculine noun belonging to the N-declension group (see grammar section).
The feminine form is die Russin (the Russian woman).
🚨 Attention: As with many terms for nationalities, usage can be context-dependent and should always be respectful.
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.
📐 Grammar of 'der Russe': Declension & Examples
Der Russe is a masculine noun and follows the N-declension (N-Deklination). This means it takes an -(e)n ending in all cases except for the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Russe | (the Russian man) |
| Genitive | des | Russen | (of the Russian man) |
| Dative | dem | Russen | (to/for the Russian man) |
| Accusative | den | Russen | (the Russian man) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Russen | (the Russian men/people) |
| Genitive | der | Russen | (of the Russian men/people) |
| Dative | den | Russen | (to/for the Russian men/people) |
| Accusative | die | Russen | (the Russian men/people) |
📝 Example Sentences
- Nominative Singular: Der Russe spricht mehrere Sprachen. (The Russian man speaks several languages.)
- Genitive Singular: Das ist das Auto des Russen. (That is the car of the Russian man.)
- Dative Singular: Ich habe dem Russen geholfen. (I helped the Russian man.)
- Accusative Singular: Kennst du den Russen dort drüben? (Do you know the Russian man over there?)
- Nominative Plural: Viele Russen leben im Ausland. (Many Russians live abroad.)
🗣️ How to use 'der Russe'
The term der Russe is primarily used to describe the male nationality or origin of a person from Russia.
- Origin/Nationality: Mein Nachbar ist Russe. (My neighbour is Russian.)
- Cultural Context: Sometimes, the term is used more broadly in connection with Russian culture, history, or politics, but it always refers to a person. Example: Die Ausstellung zeigte Werke bekannter Russen. (The exhibition showed works by famous Russians.)
⚠️ It is important not to use the term in a generalizing or stereotypical way. As with all terms referring to nationalities, respectful use is essential.
Difference to 'russisch': 'Russisch' is the adjective (die russische Sprache - the Russian language, russisches Essen - Russian food) or the adverb (Er spricht russisch - He speaks Russian). 'Der Russe' is the noun for the male person.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Russe'
For the article 'der': Think of 'der' as the standard masculine article. A man from Russia is 'der Russe'. The word sounds strong, like many masculine 'der' words.
For the meaning: 'Russe' sounds a bit like 'rush'. Imagine someone rushing from the vast lands of Russia.
↔️ Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms
- Staatsbürger Russlands / russischer Staatsbürger (citizen of Russia / Russian citizen - more formal)
- Mann aus Russland (man from Russia - descriptive)
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding historical terms like Preuße (Prussian).
😂 A Little Joke
Frage: Warum nehmen Russen immer zwei Ziegelsteine mit in die Wüste?
Antwort: Einen zum drauf Sitzen und einen zum Wegwerfen, falls ihnen langweilig wird.
(Question: Why do Russians always take two bricks to the desert?
Answer: One to sit on and one to throw away if they get bored.)
(Please note: This joke plays on stereotypes and is not meant maliciously.)
📜 A Short Poem
Ein Russe, stolz und mit Bedacht,
hat oft schon über Welt nachgedacht.
Von Moskau bis Sibirien weit,
kennt er sein Land, zu jeder Zeit.
(A Russian man, proud and thoughtful,
Has often pondered the world.
From Moscow to Siberia wide,
He knows his country, at any time.)
❓ Who or What am I?
Ich komme aus dem größten Land der Erde,
die weibliche Form ist eine andere Herde.
Mein Artikel ist 'der', das ist maskulin,
Sag, wer bin ich wohl, sprich es hin!
(I come from the largest country on Earth,
The female form is of another birth.
My article is 'der', that is masculine,
Say, who am I then, speak it right in!)
Solution: der Russe (the Russian man)
💡 Interesting Facts about 'Russe'
Etymology (Word Origin): The term "Russe" derives from the name of the Rus' people, an East Slavic group that played a significant role in founding Kiev and other cities in the early Middle Ages. The country name "Russland" (Russia; Russian: Rossija) shares the same origin.
Cultural Aspects: The designation is strongly connected to Russian history, culture (literature, music, ballet), and politics.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Russe?
The word 'Russe' is masculine and refers to a male person from Russia. Therefore, the correct article is der Russe. The feminine form is 'die Russin', and the plural for both genders or mixed groups is 'die Russen'. It follows the N-declension rules.