der
Status
What does "der Status" actually mean? 🤔
The word der Status (noun, masculine) describes a state, condition, position, or rank. It comes from the Latin word status and is used in various contexts:
- State/Condition: The current condition of a thing or person (e.g., Projektstatus - project status, Gesundheitsstatus - health status).
- Rank/Position: The social or professional standing of a person (e.g., Sozialstatus - social status, VIP-Status - VIP status).
- Legal Standing: The legal condition (e.g., Aufenthaltsstatus - residence status, Familienstatus - marital status).
- Technical Condition: The operational state of a system or device (e.g., Systemstatus - system status, Online-Status - online status).
It's a frequently used word, especially in professional, technical, and social environments.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-us/-uss/-uß → mostly masculine.
Including -ismus nouns (100% masculine, e.g. der Tourismus)
Cracking the Grammar Code: Declining "der Status"
"Status" is a masculine noun. Its declension is somewhat special because the plural is often identical to the singular or uses the form "Statusse," which is possible but less common. The genitive singular is also "des Status".
Singular Declension
Case | Article | Noun |
---|---|---|
Nominative | der | Status |
Accusative | den | Status |
Dative | dem | Status |
Genitive | des | Status |
Plural Declension
The plural form is often identical to the singular ("die Status") or, less commonly, "die Statusse". In technical contexts, the unchanged plural form is usually preferred.
Case | Article | Noun |
---|---|---|
Nominative | die | Status |
Accusative | die | Status |
Dative | den | Status |
Genitive | der | Status |
Example Sentences
- Der Status des Projekts ist "in Bearbeitung". (The status of the project is 'in progress'.)
- Bitte ändern Sie den Status auf "erledigt". (Please change the status to 'completed'.)
- Wir messen dem sozialen Status oft zu viel Bedeutung bei. (We often attach too much importance to social status.)
- Die Überprüfung des Status der Anfrage dauert noch an. (The check of the request's status is still ongoing.)
- Die verschiedenen Status der Geräte werden auf dem Dashboard angezeigt. (The different statuses of the devices are displayed on the dashboard.)
Using "der Status" like a Native Speaker
"Status" is a versatile word. Here are some typical areas of application:
- Professional/Project Management: "Wie ist der aktuelle Status des Berichts?" (What's the current status of the report?) or "Der Projektstatus ist grün." (The project status is green.) Here, it refers to the progress or condition of a task.
- Social: "Er legt viel Wert auf seinen sozialen Status." (He places great value on his social status.) or "Ihr Beziehungsstatus ist 'Single'." (Her relationship status is 'single'.) Here, it describes social standing or marital status.
- Technology/IT: "Überprüfen Sie den Status Ihrer Internetverbindung." (Check the status of your internet connection.) or "Der Server hat den Status 'offline'." (The server status is 'offline'.) Here, it describes the operational state.
- Legal/Administrative: "Ihr Aufenthaltsstatus muss geklärt werden." (Your residence status needs to be clarified.) Here, it refers to the legal position.
Distinguishing from similar words:
- Zustand: Often interchangeable, but "Zustand" can be more general and refer more to physical condition (e.g., der Zustand des Autos - the condition of the car). "Status" often emphasizes a defined phase or position within a system.
- Lage: Refers more to a situation or circumstances (e.g., die politische Lage - the political situation).
- Rang: Refers more specifically to a hierarchical position (e.g., militärischer Rang - military rank).
⚠️ Avoid confusing it with "das Statut" (a statute or set of rules).
Remembering "der Status" - Easy Mnemonics!
Article Mnemonic (der):
Think of the English word 'status' itself. It often implies a certain standing or rank, like 'the CEO', 'the president'. Associate the masculine 'der' with this idea of rank or official position. Or imagine a statue (close sound) of a man ('der Mann').
Meaning Mnemonic:
'Status' sounds like 'state us' or 'what's the state of us?'. It asks about the current state or position. Where do you stand in life (social status)? Where does the project stand (project status)? Where does the connection stand (connection status)? Der Status tells you the current state or standing.
Word Connections: Synonyms & Antonyms for Status
Synonyms (Similar meaning):
Antonyms (Opposites - context-dependent):
- Veränderung: Change (if status implies permanence).
- Instabilität: Instability (opposite of a stable status).
- Bewegung/Fluss: Movement/Flow (if status implies standstill).
- Anonymität/Unbekanntheit: Anonymity/Obscurity (opposite of high social status).
- Chaos/Unordnung: Chaos/Disorder (if status implies an ordered state).
Similar, but Misleading Words:
- Statut (das): A statute, bylaws. Completely different meaning and gender!
- Staat (der): State, country (political entity).
A Little Joke 😄
Frage: "Wie ist dein Beziehungsstatus?"
Antwort: "WLAN. Mal verbunden, mal nicht, und manchmal findet man einfach keine Verbindung!"
Translation:
Question: "What's your relationship status?"
Answer: "WiFi. Sometimes connected, sometimes not, and sometimes you just can't find a connection!"
A Poem about States and Stages
Der Status, kalt und klar,
zeigt an, was ist, was war.
Im Netz, im Job, im Leben,
wird ihm Bedeutung gegeben.
Mal hoch, mal tief, mal neu,
er bleibt uns selten treu.
Ein Wort für Rang und Stand,
in diesem digitalen Land.
Translation:
The status, cold and clear,
shows what is, what was here.
Online, at work, in life's thread,
importance is given instead.
Sometimes high, low, or new,
it seldom stays loyal and true.
A word for rank and state,
in this digital landscape's gate.
What am I? A Status Riddle
Ich zeige dir, wie weit du bist,
ob online oder offline, das ist gewiss.
Ich beschreibe deinen Rang in der Gesellschaft,
oder den Zustand, der gerade Herrschaft schafft.
Man fragt nach mir im Büro und im Netz,
ich bin ein Zustand, kein leeres Geschwätz.
Na, wer bin ich? Lösung: Der Status
Translation:
I show you how far you've come,
whether online or offline, this is certain, chum.
I describe your rank within society's fold,
or the condition that currently takes hold.
People ask for me at work and online, you see,
I am a state, not just empty decree.
Well, who am I?
Solution: Der Status (Status)
Extra Insights into "der Status"
Word Origin
The word Status comes directly from the Latin status, meaning "stance", "state", "position", or "condition". It is related to the verb stare ("to stand").
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen)
"Status" forms part of many compound words in German:
- Statusbericht: A status report.
- Statusmeldung: A status update (e.g., on social media).
- Sozialstatus: Social status.
- Beziehungsstatus: Relationship status.
- Aufenthaltsstatus: Residence status (legal).
- Immunstatus: Immune status.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Status?
The German word for state, condition, rank, or position is der Status (masculine). The plural form is often identical (die Status) or less commonly die Statusse.