der
Schuster
👞 What does "der Schuster" mean?
Der Schuster is a German job title for a craftsman who makes or, more commonly today, repairs shoes. It's often used synonymously with Schuhmacher (*shoemaker*). Historically, a 'Schuster' focused more on repairs, which is why the English equivalent *cobbler* fits well.
It's a masculine noun, so the definite article is der.
- Main meaning: A person whose profession is repairing or (less commonly now) making shoes; a *shoemaker* or *cobbler*.
⚠️ Note: Even if women practice this profession, the traditional job title is masculine. The feminine form is "die Schusterin" or "die Schuhmacherin".
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.
-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 of "Schuster" in Detail
The noun "Schuster" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Schuster |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Schusters |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Schuster |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Schuster |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Schuster |
| Genitive | der | Schuster |
| Dative | den | Schustern |
| Accusative | die | Schuster |
📝 Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Schuster repariert meine alten Stiefel. (The shoemaker repairs my old boots.)
- Genitive: Die Werkstatt des Schusters ist klein, aber fein. (The shoemaker's workshop is small but nice.)
- Dativ: Ich gebe dem Schuster meine kaputten Schuhe. (I give my broken shoes to the shoemaker.)
- Akkusativ: Wir suchen den Schuster im Nachbarort auf. (We are visiting the shoemaker in the next town.)
- Plural: Früher gab es in jeder Stadt viele Schuster. (In the past, there were many shoemakers in every town.)
🗣️ How "Schuster" is Used
The term "Schuster" is primarily used to refer to the profession of a *shoemaker* or *cobbler*. You typically go "zum Schuster" (*to the cobbler's*) to get shoes repaired (e.g., new soles, heels).
- Typical Collocations: zum Schuster gehen (*to go to the cobbler's*), der Schuster um die Ecke (*the cobbler around the corner*), beim Schuster sein (*to be at the cobbler's*).
- Context: Mostly related to crafts, repair, and tradition. Less common today for the creation of new bespoke shoes; for this, you might hear "Maßschuhmacher" (*bespoke shoemaker*).
- Idiom: A very famous German idiom is "Schuster, bleib bei deinem Leisten!" which translates literally to "Shoemaker, stick to your last!" (A "Leisten" is the shoemaker's last, a tool shaped like a foot). It means you should stick to what you know and not meddle in things you don't understand. The English equivalent is *"Cobbler, stick to your last!"*
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Remembering the Article: Think of traditional craftsmen (Handwerker) often being male roles historically – so use the masculine article der Schuster. The "-er" ending often indicates masculine nouns in German.
Remembering the Meaning: A Schuster works with Schuhe (*shoes*). The word sounds similar. Imagine the Schuster 'boosting' the life of old shoes, getting them 'started' again – a Shoe-Booster -> Schuster.
↔️ Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words
Same Meaning (Synonyms):
- Schuhmacher: (*Shoemaker*) The more common word today, often used interchangeably.
- Schuhflicker: (*Shoe patcher/cobbler*) Often slightly derogatory or outdated, implying someone who only does shoddy repairs.
⚠️ Similar but Different Words:
- Schneider: (*Tailor*) A craftsman who makes or alters clothes (not shoes).
- Sattler: (*Saddler*) A craftsman who works with leather, but mainly makes saddles, bags, or harnesses.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum gehen Skelette nie zum Schuster?
Weil sie keine Sohlen haben, nur Knochen! 😉
(Why do skeletons never go to the cobbler?)
(Because they have no soles (souls), only bones!) 😄
📜 Poem about the Schuster
Der Schuster sitzt in seiner Werkstatt klein,
mit Hammer, Zange, Leim und Zwirn allein.
Er klopft die Sohle, näht den Riss geschwind,
macht alte Schuhe wieder flott, mein Kind.
Ein Handwerk alt, mit Ehre und Bedacht,
hat manchen müden Fuß wieder froh gemacht.
(The cobbler sits in his workshop small,
With hammer, pliers, glue, and thread for all.
He taps the sole, he quickly sews the tear,
Makes old shoes usable again, my dear.
An ancient craft, with honor and with thought,
Has brought joy back to many a tired foot.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich arbeite mit Leder, Leisten und Leim,
bring kaputte Treter wieder heim.
Ob Sohle lose oder Absatz krumm,
ich mach' sie ganz, bin weder faul noch dumm.
Wer bin ich? ... Der Schuster
(I work with leather, last, and glue so fine,
Bringing broken footwear back in line.
Whether sole is loose or heel askew,
I fix them all, I'm neither lazy nor untrue.)
(Who am I?
... The Schuster / Cobbler / Shoemaker)
💡 More Interesting Facts
- Etymology: The word "Schuster" derives from the Old High German "scuohsūtāri", meaning "shoe sewer" (from "sūtāri" - sewer/stitcher).
- Idiom "Schuster, bleib bei deinem Leisten!": (*Cobbler, stick to your last!*) This saying is attributed to the Greek painter Apelles. A shoemaker criticized a detail on a painted shoe, which Apelles corrected. But when the shoemaker then criticized other parts of the painting, Apelles supposedly uttered this phrase. It means one should focus on what one knows best.
- Historical Significance: For centuries, shoemakers (*Schuster*) were indispensable craftsmen in every community.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schuster?
The German word "Schuster" is a masculine noun referring to a *shoemaker* or *cobbler*. Therefore, the correct article is always der Schuster.