der
Sprinter
🏃♂️ What exactly is a Sprinter?
The German word der Sprinter has two main meanings:
- An athlete: A sportsperson who can run particularly fast over short distances (e.g., 100-Meter-Lauf - 100-meter dash). They are characterized by explosive speed.
- A vehicle type: A small van or delivery truck, often associated with the "Sprinter" model from Mercedes-Benz. These vehicles are frequently used for transporting goods or as minibuses (Kleinbusse).
⚠️ It's important to deduce the intended meaning from the context.
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 under the microscope: Der Sprinter
"Sprinter" is a masculine noun and always uses the article der. It follows the strong declension pattern.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Sprinter |
| Genitive | des | Sprinters |
| Dative | dem | Sprinter |
| Accusative | den | Sprinter |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Sprinter |
| Genitive | der | Sprinter |
| Dative | den | Sprintern |
| Accusative | die | Sprinter |
Example Sentences
- Meaning athlete: Der Sprinter überquerte die Ziellinie in Rekordzeit.
(The sprinter crossed the finish line in record time.) - Meaning athlete: Die schnellsten Sprinter der Welt trainieren täglich.
(The fastest sprinters in the world train daily.) - Meaning vehicle: Der Paketdienst nutzt einen Sprinter für die Auslieferung.
(The parcel service uses a Sprinter van for deliveries.) - Meaning vehicle: Wir haben einen Sprinter gemietet, um die Möbel zu transportieren.
(We rented a Sprinter van to transport the furniture.)
💡 How to use "Sprinter"?
- In a sports context: You talk about a Sprinter in athletics competitions (running, track cycling) when referring to short, fast distances. A synonym is Kurzstreckenläufer (short-distance runner). It differs from a Langstreckenläufer (long-distance runner) or Marathonläufer (marathon runner).
- In a vehicle context: Although "Sprinter" is a model name from Mercedes-Benz, the term is often used generically for similar small vans or delivery trucks, much like "Kleenex" for tissues. Alternatives include Lieferwagen (delivery van), Kleintransporter (small van), or Kastenwagen (panel van).
The context usually clarifies whether the person or the vehicle is meant. "Usain Bolt ist ein berühmter Sprinter." (Usain Bolt is a famous sprinter.) vs. "Der Handwerker fährt einen Sprinter." (The craftsman drives a Sprinter van.)
🧠 Mnemonics for Memorization
Article Mnemonic: Think of a stereotypical fast runner or a delivery driver – often male figures. Der Mann, der Sportler, der Fahrer all use der. So does der Sprinter.
Meaning Mnemonic: A Sprinter sprints – either on the running track or quickly delivering goods on the road.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- For athlete: Kurzstreckenläufer (short-distance runner), Flitzer (dasher, informal), Renner (runner)
- For vehicle: Lieferwagen (delivery van), Kleintransporter (small van), Kastenwagen (panel van), Transporter (van), Van (sometimes used)
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- For athlete: Langstreckenläufer (long-distance runner), Marathonläufer (marathon runner), Geher (walker), Ausdauerläufer (endurance runner)
- For vehicle: Kleinwagen (small car), Limousine (sedan), LKW (Lastkraftwagen - truck/lorry), PKW (Personenkraftwagen - passenger car)
Similar Words (Caution!)
- Sprint (der): The fast run itself, not the person or vehicle.
- springen: The verb means to jump or hop, not necessarily to run fast.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Fahrlehrer den Schüler im Sprinter: "Na, wie fühlen Sie sich?" Antwortet der Schüler: "Wie ein echter Sprinter! Nur dass ich nicht renne, sondern eher krieche..."
Translation: The driving instructor asks the student in the Sprinter van: "Well, how do you feel?" The student replies: "Like a real sprinter! Except that I'm crawling rather than running..."
📜 A Short Poem
Der Sprinter, schnell wie der Wind,
ob Mensch, ob eiliges Liefer-Kind.
Auf Bahn und Straße, flink und fit,
bringt Sieg nach Haus' und Ware mit.
Translation:
The sprinter, fast as the wind,
Whether human, or speedy delivery-kind.
On track and road, nimble and fit,
Brings victory home and goods with it.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin bekannt für meine Schnelligkeit,
mal auf zwei Beinen, mal bereit,
Pakete zu tragen, groß und klein,
auf kurzen Strecken flitze ich heim.
Wer oder was bin ich?
Translation:
I'm known for my speed,
Sometimes on two legs, sometimes ready indeed,
To carry packages, large and small,
On short routes, I quickly head home for all.
Who or what am I?
Solution: der Sprinter
ℹ️ More Trivia
- Word Origin: The word "Sprinter" comes from the English verb "to sprint". It was first adopted into German for the athlete.
- Brand Name: The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was introduced in 1995 and, due to its success, has become a generic term (Gattungsname) for small vans in German.
- Olympic Discipline: The 100-meter sprint (der 100-Meter-Sprint) is considered the premier event in athletics (Leichtathletik).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Sprinter?
The German word "Sprinter" is masculine: der Sprinter. It refers to both a fast runner (athlete) and a type of van (vehicle).