der  Sünder

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzʏndɐ/

✝️ What does 'der Sünder' mean?

Der Sünder is a German noun referring to a person who has committed a sin, meaning they have violated moral, ethical, or religious commandments. The term has strong religious connotations, particularly in Christianity, but is also used more generally for someone who has broken a rule or norm.

It is a masculine noun. The feminine form is die Sünderin (the female sinner).

🚨 Attention: Although often used in a religious context, the term can also be used slightly ironically or exaggeratedly in everyday life (e.g., for someone who eats too much chocolate).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Declining 'der Sünder'

The noun 'der Sünder' is masculine and follows the weak n-declension pattern. This means it adds an '-n' or '-en' in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular cases, and in all plural cases (except the nominative plural which is identical to the nominative singular here, but dative plural adds -n).

Example Sentences

1. Der Priester sprach zu dem Sünder.
   (The priest spoke to the sinner.)
2. Nach christlichem Glauben sind alle Menschen Sünder.
   (According to Christian belief, all humans are sinners.)
3. Er wurde als großer Sünder dargestellt, obwohl er nur einen kleinen Fehler gemacht hatte.
   (He was portrayed as a great sinner, although he had only made a small mistake.)
4. Die armen Sünder mussten Buße tun.
   (The poor sinners had to do penance.)

💡 Usage in Context

The term 'der Sünder' is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Religious/Moral: At its core, it's a term from religion and ethics describing a person who has violated divine commandments or moral principles (e.g., in sermons, theological discussions). Related terms are 'die Sünde' (the sin itself) and 'sündigen' (the verb to sin).
• Historical: In historical texts or narratives about past societies and their moral concepts.
• Figurative/Ironic: Sometimes the term is used humorously or exaggeratedly for minor 'transgressions' in everyday life. Example: "Ich war gestern ein echter Sünder und habe die ganze Tafel Schokolade gegessen." (Yesterday I was a real sinner and ate the whole bar of chocolate.)

Compared to more neutral terms like 'Täter' (perpetrator) or 'Verbrecher' (criminal), 'Sünder' always carries a strong moral or religious dimension.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Think of typical masculine roles often associated with der in German: der Priester (priest), der Richter (judge)... and der Sünder (sinner). It refers to a male person.

Remembering the Meaning: Connect Sünder to the English word 'sin'. Someone who commits a 'sin' is a 'Sünder'. Imagine someone 'sundering' (breaking) the rules – they become a Sünder.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Words like 'Angeklagter' (defendant) or 'Verdächtiger' (suspect) describe a legal situation, not a moral evaluation like 'Sünder'.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Pfarrer: "Wer von euch ist ohne Sünde?"
Meldet sich ein Mann ganz hinten: "Ich, Herr Pfarrer!"
Der Pfarrer erstaunt: "Wirklich? Wie heißt du denn?"
Der Mann: "Adam."
Der Pfarrer: "Ach Adam, dich hatte ich ganz vergessen. Du warst ja der erste Sünder!"

English: The priest asks: "Who among you is without sin?"
A man at the very back raises his hand: "Me, Father!"
The priest, astonished: "Really? What's your name?"
The man: "Adam."
The priest: "Oh Adam, I completely forgot about you. You were the first sinner, after all!"

📜 Poem about the Sinner

German:
Der Sünder geht durch Nacht und Wind,
hat auf dem Herzen schwere Sünd'.
Er sucht nach Licht, nach Trost und Rat,
nach einer gut gemachten Tat.

Doch Reue tief im Herzen sitzt,
während der kalte Regen spritzt.
Ein neuer Morgen, neue Chance?
Beginnt des Sünders Wandel, ganz von vorn?

English Translation:
The sinner walks through night and wind,
has heavy sin upon his heart.
He seeks for light, for comfort, counsel,
for a deed well done, a new start.

But deep remorse resides within,
while the cold rain splashes stark.
A new morning, a new chance?
Does the sinner's change begin, right from the mark?

❓ A Little Riddle

German:
Ich breche Regeln, groß und klein,
ob moralisch oder im heil'gen Schein.
Mein Tun wird oft als 'Sünde' benannt,
im Beichtstuhl bin ich wohlbekannt.

Wer bin ich? ... Der Sünder

English Translation:
I break rules, both big and small,
whether moral or within sacred walls.
My actions are often called a 'sin',
in the confessional, I'm well-known within.

Who am I? ... The Sinner (der Sünder)

🌐 Other Information

Word Composition: The word 'Sünder' derives directly from the noun 'Sünde' (sin), which traces back to Old High German roots meaning 'guilt' or 'transgression'. The suffix '-er' denotes the person performing the action.

Feminine Form: The explicit feminine form is 'die Sünderin' (the female sinner).

Cultural Significance: The concept of the sinner (der Sünder) is central to many religions and influences cultural ideas about guilt, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption.