der  Segler

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzeːɡlɐ/

⛵ What does 'der Segler' mean?

The German word der Segler (masculine) has two main meanings:

1. A person who sails, either as a sport, hobby, or profession. A sailor or yachtsman.
2. A type of bird (family Apodidae), known for its fast flight, called a swift in English. In German, also known as Mauersegler.

In most contexts, der Segler refers to the person. The article is always der because it's a masculine noun (for both the person and the bird).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧭 Grammar Insights: Declining 'der Segler'

Der Segler is a masculine noun. For the person, it often follows the weak N-declension pattern in most cases, except for the dative singular (strong ending) and genitive singular (often ends in -s, but N-declension is also possible, though less common for the person). The bird name typically follows standard masculine declension.

Declension (Person):

Declension (Bird - Mauersegler): Mostly follows standard declension for masculine nouns.

Example Sentences

• Der Segler bereitete sein Boot für die Regatta vor. (The sailor prepared his boat for the regatta.) - Person
• Wir beobachteten einen Segler, wie er hoch am Himmel kreiste. (We watched a swift circling high in the sky.) - Bird
• Die Erfahrung des Seglers war auf hoher See von unschätzbarem Wert. (The sailor's experience was invaluable on the high seas.) - Person
• Die Rufe der Segler erfüllten die Sommerabende. (The calls of the swifts filled the summer evenings.) - Birds
• Wir gaben dem Segler Proviant mit auf den Weg. (We gave the sailor provisions for the journey.) - Person

💨 When and how to use 'Segler'?

Der Segler is primarily used to talk about people involved in sailing or yachting.

• Sport/Leisure: "Er ist ein begeisterter Segler und verbringt jedes Wochenende auf dem Wasser." (He is an enthusiastic sailor and spends every weekend on the water.)
• Profession: "Als erfahrener Segler kennt er die Tücken dieser Küste." (As an experienced sailor, he knows the pitfalls of this coast.)
• General (Human): "Viele Segler trafen sich im Hafenclub." (Many sailors met at the harbor club.)
• Biology (Bird): "Segler sind für ihre Flugkünste bekannt." (Swifts are known for their flying skills.) Here, the more specific term Mauersegler is often preferred to avoid confusion.

⚠️ Note: Although the bird is also called "Segler", in general usage, the person is almost always meant. The context usually makes the meaning clear. When referring to the bird, Mauersegler is often used.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Segler'

Article Mnemonic: Think of the man, der Mann, who sails. Sailors are often pictured as men, captains ('masters of the sea') – masculine, so it's der Segler.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a Segler (sailor) in his Segelboot (sailboat) chasing a swift Segler (swift bird) – both 'sail' through their element (water or air). The German verb segeln means 'to sail'.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

😂 A Little Sailor Joke

German: Fragt ein Tourist einen alten Segler: "Sagen Sie mal, ist das Meer hier immer so unruhig?"
Antwortet der Segler: "Keine Ahnung, mein Junge. Ich bin erst seit 40 Jahren hier."

English Translation: A tourist asks an old sailor: "Tell me, is the sea always this rough here?"
The sailor replies: "I have no idea, son. I've only been here for 40 years."

📜 A Poem about the Segler

German:
Der Wind füllt das Segel, straff und weiß,
Der Segler blickt aufs Meer, kennt jeden Preis.
Die Gischt sprüht hoch, das Salzwasser schmeckt,
Ein Leben frei, das Abenteuer weckt.

Mal ist er Vogel, pfeilschnell in der Luft,
Mal Mensch am Ruder, in salziger Duft.
Der Segler zieht dahin, von Wellen getragen,
Um neue Horizonte kühn zu wagen.

English Translation:
The wind fills the sail, taut and white,
The sailor gazes at the sea, knows every price.
The spray flies high, the salt water tastes,
A life of freedom, adventure awakes.

Sometimes a bird, arrow-swift in the air,
Sometimes a man at the helm, in salty air.
The sailor moves on, carried by waves,
To boldly venture towards new horizons brave.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich tanze mit dem Wind auf blauer Flur,
oder fliege hoch am Himmel, schnell und pur.
Mal steh' ich am Steuer, mal schwing' ich mich frei,
mein Name klingt gleich, doch bin ich zweierlei.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I dance with the wind on the blue expanse,
or fly high in the sky, swift and pure, at a glance.
Sometimes I stand at the helm, sometimes I swing free,
my name sounds the same, but there are two of me.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Segler (both the person/sailor and the bird/swift)

⚓ Other Interesting Facts

• Word Composition: The word "Segler" derives from the verb "segeln" (to sail), with the suffix "-er", which typically denotes a person performing an action (or here, an animal moving similarly).
• Feminine Form: The feminine form for the person is "die Seglerin" (the female sailor).
• Nautical Lingo: There is specific jargon among sailors (Segler-Latein) with many unique terms (e.g., Luv - windward, Lee - leeward, Halse - gybe, Wende - tack).