der
Schreiner
🪵 What does 'der Schreiner' mean?
Der Schreiner is a German job title for a craftsman who primarily works with wood. Their main tasks include manufacturing, repairing, and installing furniture, windows, doors, stairs, and other wooden components.
Essentially, a Schreiner is a specialist in woodworking who creates both functional and aesthetic objects.
The feminine form is die Schreinerin.
Note: The term Schreiner is often used synonymously with Tischler. There are regional differences: Schreiner is more common in Southern Germany, while Tischler is more common in Northern Germany. Functionally, they usually describe the same profession (carpenter/joiner).
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.
-ner → almost always masculine.
Compare with the category '-er'.
-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: 'Der Schreiner' in Detail
The word Schreiner is a masculine noun. The corresponding article is der.
Declension (Beugung)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Schreiner |
| Genitive | des | Schreiners |
| Dative | dem | Schreiner |
| Accusative | den | Schreiner |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Schreiner |
| Genitive | der | Schreiner |
| Dative | den | Schreinern |
| Accusative | die | Schreiner |
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)
- Der Schreiner baut einen neuen Schrank für die Küche.
(The carpenter is building a new cabinet for the kitchen.) - Die Werkstatt des Schreiners ist voller Holzspäne.
(The carpenter's workshop is full of wood shavings.) - Wir geben dem Schreiner den Auftrag für die neuen Fenster.
(We are giving the carpenter the order for the new windows.) - Hast du den Schreiner schon angerufen?
(Have you called the carpenter yet?) - Viele Schreiner arbeiten heute mit modernen CNC-Maschinen.
(Many carpenters work with modern CNC machines today.)
🛠️ Everyday Usage
The term der Schreiner is used when talking about the profession or a person practicing it. It's understood throughout German-speaking regions, even if Tischler might be regionally preferred.
- Context: Handwerk (craftsmanship), Bauwesen (construction), Möbelherstellung (furniture making), Innenausbau (interior finishing).
- Typical Activities: Building furniture, installing windows/doors, laying wooden floors, restoring wooden objects.
- Distinction: While the Schreiner/Tischler focuses more on furniture and building components, the Zimmermann (carpenter, but more for structural work) is usually responsible for rough timber constructions like roof trusses or entire wooden houses.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: A Schreiner is typically a man (masculine profession) -> der Schreiner.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone building a fancy wooden shrine – who would make that? Der Schreiner!
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Tischler: Practically identical meaning (carpenter/joiner), regional preference.
- Holzhandwerker: A more general term for someone working with wood (woodworker).
Antonyms (Opposites - Indirectly)
Direct antonyms for professions are rare. One could name professions working with different materials:
- Schlosser/Metallbauer: Works with metal (metalworker/locksmith).
- Maurer: Works with stone and mortar (bricklayer/mason).
Similar but Different Terms
- Zimmermann: Responsible for structural woodwork in construction (e.g., roof trusses). Often translated as 'carpenter' but with a different focus than Schreiner/Tischler.
- Drechsler: Specializes in turning wood on a lathe (woodturner, e.g., for table legs, bowls).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Kunde den Schreiner: "Können Sie mir ein Bett bauen, in dem man wie auf Wolken schläft?"
Sagt der Schreiner: "Klar, aber dann brauchen Sie einen Kran, um morgens wieder rauszukommen!"
Translation:
A customer asks the carpenter: "Can you build me a bed where one sleeps as if on clouds?"
The carpenter replies: "Sure, but then you'll need a crane to get out again in the morning!"
📜 Poem about the Carpenter (Schreiner)
Der Schreiner nimmt das Holz zur Hand,
\Hobelt, sägt mit viel Verstand.
\Aus rauhem Brett, so unbehauen,
\Lässt er Möbel uns erschauen.
\Ein Tisch, ein Stuhl, ein Schrank, ein Bett,
\Alles maßgenau und nett.
\Mit Leim und Schraube, fest und fein,
\So muss gute Arbeit sein!
Translation:
The carpenter takes the wood in hand,
\Planes, saws with great command.
\From rough board, so unrefined,
\He lets us furniture find.
\A table, chair, a wardrobe, bed,
\All precisely made and spread.
\With glue and screw, secure and fine,
\Good work must truly shine!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich arbeite gern mit Fichte, Eiche, Buche,
\Verwandel Stämme, die ich suche.
\Ob Tisch, ob Tür, ob Fensterrahmen,
\Wer kennt wohl meinen Berufsnamen?
Translation:
I like working with spruce, oak, beech,
\Transforming logs within my reach.
\Be it table, door, or window frame,
\Who knows my profession's name?
Solution: Der Schreiner (The carpenter/joiner)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- Etymology (Wortherkunft): The word Schreiner derives from the Old High German word scrînmakari, meaning 'maker of shrines' (chests, boxes, cabinets).
- Apprenticeship (Ausbildung): Schreiner is a recognized apprenticeship profession in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The training usually lasts three years.
- Specializations (Spezialisierungen): Within the profession, there are specializations such as Möbelschreiner (furniture maker), Bauschreiner (construction joiner), or Restaurator (restorer).
- Feminine Form (Weibliche Form): The correct feminine form is die Schreinerin.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schreiner?
The noun "Schreiner" is masculine, so the correct article is der. The correct form is: der Schreiner.