der
Schwimmer
🏊♂️ What does "der Schwimmer" mean?
The word der Schwimmer has two main meanings:
-
A person who swims: This usually refers to a male person who has the ability to swim or is currently swimming. The female form is die Schwimmerin.
Example: Mein Bruder ist ein guter Schwimmer. (My brother is a good swimmer.)
-
A technical component (float): This is an object designed to float on a liquid, often controlling a mechanism. Examples include:
- The float in the carburetor of an engine (der Schwimmer im Vergaser).
- The float in the cistern of a toilet that regulates water intake (der Schwimmer im Spülkasten).
- A fishing float (also called Pose or Schwimmer).
Example: Der Schwimmer im Tank ist defekt. (The float in the tank is defective.)
⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.
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 in Detail: Der Schwimmer
The noun "Schwimmer" is masculine, so the article is der. It declines as follows:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Schwimmer |
| Genitive | des | Schwimmers |
| Dative | dem | Schwimmer |
| Accusative | den | Schwimmer |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Schwimmer |
| Genitive | der | Schwimmer |
| Dative | den | Schwimmern |
| Accusative | die | Schwimmer |
📝 Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Schwimmer trainiert jeden Tag. (The swimmer trains every day. - Person)
- Genitive: Die Technik des Schwimmers ist beeindruckend. (The swimmer's technique is impressive. - Person)
- Dative: Ich gebe dem Schwimmer ein Handtuch. (I give a towel to the swimmer. - Person)
- Accusative: Siehst du den Schwimmer dort drüben? (Do you see the swimmer over there? - Person)
- Nominative Plural: Die Schwimmer im Vergaser müssen sauber sein. (The floats in the carburetor must be clean. - Tech)
- Dative Plural: Manchmal gibt es Probleme mit den Schwimmern in alten Toilettenspülungen. (Sometimes there are problems with the floats in old toilet cisterns. - Tech)
💡 How to use "Schwimmer"?
The usage of "der Schwimmer" strongly depends on the context:
- In sports or everyday context: Usually refers to a male person. "Er ist ein leidenschaftlicher Schwimmer." (He is a passionate swimmer.) For women, use "die Schwimmerin".
- In a technical context: Refers to the component. "Der Mechaniker prüft den Schwimmer im Vergaser." (The mechanic checks the float in the carburetor.) or "Der Schwimmer in der Zisterne klemmt." (The float in the cistern is stuck.)
- When fishing: Refers to the fishing float. "Beobachte den Schwimmer genau, ob ein Fisch anbeißt." (Watch the float closely to see if a fish bites.)
Confusion is rare as the context is usually clear. However, it's good to know both meanings.
🧠 Mnemonics
Remembering the Article: Imagine: Der MAN is a Schwimmer. (Masculine person -> der).
Remembering the Meanings: Think of a man (der Schwimmer) swimming in the water while holding a fishing rod with a small Schwimmer (float/component). Both are floating!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar words)
- For person: Badender (bather), Wassersportler (water sports athlete), (colloquial) Planscher (splasher)
- For component/float: Schwimmkörper (floating body), Auftriebskörper (buoyancy body), Pose (fishing float), Schwimmernadel (float needle - part of the mechanism)
Antonyms (Opposites)
- For person: Nichtschwimmer (non-swimmer)
- For component: Senker (sinker), Gewicht (weight)
Similar words:
- schwimmen: The verb from which "Schwimmer" is derived (to swim).
- Schwimmbad: The place where swimmers often train (swimming pool).
😂 A little joke
Fragt der Bademeister einen Schwimmer: "Warum schwimmen Sie denn nur auf dem Rücken?"
Antwortet der Schwimmer: "Ich habe gestern Mittag Hähnchen gegessen und will nicht, dass es nass wird!"
Translation:
The lifeguard asks a swimmer: "Why are you only swimming on your back?"
The swimmer replies: "I had chicken for lunch yesterday and don't want it to get wet!"
📜 Little Poem
Der Schwimmer zieht die Bahn,
mal langsam, mal mit Elan.
Im Wasser fühlt er sich frei,
ist ganz in seinem Element dabei.
Auch im Tank, ganz ungesehn,
tut ein Schwimmer seine Pflicht, wunderschön.
Steigt das Wasser, schließt er's Tor,
ein kleiner Held im Verborgenen davor.
Translation:
The swimmer swims his lane,
sometimes slow, sometimes with élan.
In the water, he feels free,
completely in his element, you see.
Also in the tank, quite unseen,
a float does its duty, beautifully keen.
If the water rises, it closes the gate,
a little hidden hero before it's too late.
❓ Riddle
Ich kann ein Mensch sein, der das Wasser liebt,
oder ein Teil, das im Spülkasten den Pegel schiebt.
Mal zieh ich Bahnen, mal ruh ich still,
errate, wer oder was ich sein will!
Translation:
I can be a person who loves the water,
Or a part in the cistern that pushes the level farther.
Sometimes I swim laps, sometimes I rest still,
Guess who or what I want to be, if you will!
Solution: der Schwimmer (the swimmer / the float)
🌐 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Schwimmer" is derived from the verb "schwimmen" (to swim) and the suffix "-er". This suffix is often used to denote a person performing an action (e.g., laufen -> Läufer; to run -> runner) or to name a tool or device (e.g., bohren -> Bohrer; to drill -> drill).
Trivia:
Germany has produced many successful swimmers (Schwimmer), such as Michael Groß ("The Albatross") and Franziska van Almsick.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schwimmer?
The noun "Schwimmer" is masculine. The correct article is der Schwimmer (in singular) and die Schwimmer (in plural).