der  Sänger

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzɛŋɐ/

🎤 What does "der Sänger" mean?

Der Sänger refers to a male person whose profession or hobby is singing (singen), i.e., producing melodies and tones with their voice. Sänger often perform on stage, record music, or sing in choirs.

It's important to note that der Sänger is specifically the masculine form. The feminine form is die Sängerin.

🚨 Attention: In the plural (die Sänger), the term can refer to a group of male singers or a mixed-gender group. For purely female groups, die Sängerinnen is used.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "der Sänger" in Detail

The noun "Sänger" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

• Der Sänger hat eine beeindruckende Stimme. (The singer has an impressive voice.)
• Das Mikrofon des Sängers funktionierte nicht. (The singer's microphone wasn't working.)
• Wir gaben dem Sänger nach dem Konzert Blumen. (We gave the singer flowers after the concert.)
• Das Publikum bejubelte den Sänger. (The audience cheered for the singer.)
• Die Sänger des Chors proben jeden Dienstag. (The singers of the choir rehearse every Tuesday.)

🎶 When to use "der Sänger"?

The term "der Sänger" is used to refer to a male person who sings professionally or as a hobby. The context is usually musical.

• Professionally: Opernsänger (opera singer), Popsänger (pop singer), Rocksänger (rock singer), Chorsänger (choir singer).
• Hobby: Er ist Sänger in einer lokalen Band. (He is a singer in a local band.)
• Generally: Describing a person who is currently singing (e.g., at a party).

Compared to "Musiker" (musician), "Sänger" is more specific as it exclusively refers to vocal performance. A Musiker can also play an instrument.

🧠 How to remember "der Sänger"

Article Mnemonic: Think of a typical male opera Sänger wearing a top hat (Zylinder in German ends similarly) – der Sänger.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word "Sänger" comes directly from "singen" (to sing). Someone who sings is a Sänger. Simple, right?

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for "Sänger"

⚠️ Similar words: "Sängerin" is the feminine form. "Gesang" is the act of singing.

😄 A little joke

Fragt der eine Sänger den anderen: "Hast du Lampenfieber?"
Sagt der andere: "Nein, wieso? Soll ich im Dunkeln singen?"

(Translation: One singer asks the other: "Do you have stage fright (literally 'lamp fever')?"
The other says: "No, why? Should I sing in the dark?")

📜 A poem about the Sänger

Der Sänger tritt ins Rampenlicht,
sein Herz klopft, doch er zögert nicht.
Die Stimme klar, der Ton so rein,
so soll ein guter Sänger sein.
Er singt von Liebe, Glück und Schmerz,
und trifft damit direkt ins Herz.

(Translation:
The singer steps into the spotlight,
his heart pounds, but he doesn't hesitate.
The voice clear, the tone so pure,
that's how a good singer should be.
He sings of love, happiness, and pain,
and touches the heart directly.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich brauch' kein Instrument, nur Luft und Stimmband,
mein Lied erklingt oft laut im ganzen Land.
Mal solo, mal im Chor, mal Rock, mal leise,
ich unterhalt' euch auf meine Weise.

Wer bin ich?

(Translation:
I need no instrument, just air and vocal cords,
my song often rings out loudly across the land.
Sometimes solo, sometimes in a choir, sometimes rock, sometimes quiet,
I entertain you in my own way.

Who am I?
Answer: Der Sänger (The singer))

💡 More about "Sänger"

• Word Formation: The word "Sänger" is derived from the verb "singen" (to sing) with the suffix "-er", which often denotes professions or people performing an action.
• Common Types of Singers: Opernsänger (opera singer), Kammersänger (honorary title for distinguished singers), Popsänger (pop singer), Rocksänger (rock singer), Schlagersänger (Schlager music singer), Chansonnier (cabaret singer), Liedermacher (singer-songwriter), Kantor (cantor, church music).
• Feminine Form: The explicit feminine form is "die Sängerin" (plural: "die Sängerinnen").