der  Sekretär

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/zɛkʁeˈtɛːɐ̯/

🧑‍💼 What exactly is a Sekretär? 🪑

The German word der Sekretär has two main meanings:

1. A person: A male individual who performs administrative, organizational, or support tasks in an office (Büro), administration (Verwaltung), or for an executive. Synonyms often include Assistent or Bürokraft. The female form is die Sekretärin.
2. A piece of furniture: A writing desk, typically featuring drawers (Schubladen), compartments (Fächer), and often a cabinet top or a fold-down writing surface. It's used for storing writing materials and documents, and as a workspace. This type of furniture was particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.

🚨 Important: While both meanings exist, the use for the piece of furniture is somewhat less common today than the general term Schreibtisch (desk), but it can be used specifically for antique or special designs.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Check: Declension of "der Sekretär"

"Sekretär" is a masculine noun, hence it uses the article der. It belongs to the weak N-declension in the plural (when referring to the person) or the strong declension (when referring to the furniture, though the plural is rare here).

Declension (Person)

Declension (Furniture)

Example Sentences

1. Person: Der neue Sekretär wurde heute eingestellt. (The new secretary was hired today.)
2. Person: Ich muss den Sekretär um die Unterlagen bitten. (I have to ask the secretary for the documents.)
3. Furniture: Der antike Sekretär meiner Großmutter ist sehr wertvoll. (My grandmother's antique secretary desk is very valuable.)
4. Furniture: Stell die Lampe bitte auf den Sekretär. (Please put the lamp on the secretary desk.)

💡 When to use "Sekretär"?

Usage clearly depends on the context:

• In a professional setting (Person): You refer to a Sekretär (male) or Sekretärin (female) when talking about a person performing office duties. Example: "Kannst du das bitte dem Sekretär geben?" (Can you please give this to the secretary?)
• In the context of furniture (Furniture): You use der Sekretär to describe a specific type of writing desk, often with a historical or antique connotation. Example: "Im Wohnzimmer steht ein wunderschöner Biedermeier-Sekretär." (There is a beautiful Biedermeier secretary desk in the living room.)

Comparison:

• Sekretär vs. Assistent/Assistentin: "Assistent" can imply a broader range of tasks, often more qualified duties.
• Sekretär vs. Schreibtisch: "Schreibtisch" is the more general term for a work desk. "Sekretär" denotes a specific type.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article: Think of der Mann (the man). Both the man (the person) and the table/desk (the furniture piece) often take the masculine article in related concepts – so it's der Sekretär.

For the meanings: A Sekretär keeps secrets – either in their head (the person who knows confidential information) or in the drawers (the piece of furniture that locks away letters and documents).

🔄 Similar and Opposing Words

⚠️ Caution: The word "Büro" can mean a piece of furniture (dated term for a desk/secretary) as well as an office room or organization.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Sekretär: "Können Sie auch mit einem Computer umgehen?"
Antwortet der Sekretär: "Ja, aber ich finde einen Stuhl bequemer!"

Translation: The boss asks the new secretary: "Can you also work/handle a computer?"
The secretary replies: "Yes, but I find a chair more comfortable!" (A pun on "umgehen mit" which can mean "to handle/operate" or "to walk around with").

✒️ A Poem about the Sekretär

German:

Der Sekretär, mal Mensch, mal Holz,
Bewahrt die Briefe voller Stolz.
Der eine tippt, telefoniert,
Hat Termine koordiniert.

Der andre steht im stillen Raum,
Ein alter, edler Eichentraum.
Mit Klappe, Fächern, zart verziert,
Wo mancher Brief ward formuliert.

Ob Mensch, ob Möbel, dienend sehr,
Das ist er wohl, der Sekretär.

Translation:

The Sekretär, sometimes man, sometimes wood,
Keeps letters safe, full of pride it stood.
The one types, makes calls on the phone,
Has appointments coordinated, widely known.

The other stands in a quiet room,
An old, noble oaken dream overcoming gloom.
With flap, compartments, delicately adorned,
Where many a letter was carefully formed.

Whether person or furniture, serving so well,
That's what it is, the Sekretär, we tell.

❓ Little Riddle

German:

Ich habe viele Fächer,
doch trag' ich keine Kleider.
Ich helfe im Büro,
bin manchem ein Begleiter.

Mal lebend ich Notizen mach',
mal steh ich still aus Holz und Wachs.
Wer bin ich?

Translation:

I have many compartments (Fächer),
but I wear no clothes.
I help in the office (Büro),
am a companion to some, as everyone knows.

Sometimes alive, I take notes with flair,
Sometimes I stand still, made of wood and wax, beyond compare.
Who am I?

... Der Sekretär (The Secretary / Secretary Desk)

📜 Other Information

Etymology (Word Origin): The word "Sekretär" comes from the Middle Latin secretarius, which originally meant "keeper of secrets" or "confidant" (from Latin secretum = secret). This initially referred to the trusted person who handled confidential matters.

Cultural Significance: The piece of furniture "Sekretär" was a status symbol and a central element in bourgeois households and offices, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. The role of the person, the secretary, has evolved from purely a scribe to often a highly qualified assistant.