der  Thriller

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈθʁɪlɐ/

🎬 What Exactly is a 'Thriller'?

The term der Thriller (from the English to thrill) denotes a genre in literature, film, and occasionally other media. Thrillers are characterized by creating high suspense, often through constant threat, danger, chase sequences, or psychological pressure. The goal is to captivate the reader or viewer until the very end and keep them on the edge of their seats.

Unlike a pure Krimi (detective story), a Thriller often focuses less on solving a crime and more on preventing an impending disaster or ensuring the survival of the main characters.

⚠️ It's a loanword from English and is masculine in German (der Thriller).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Thriller

The noun 'Thriller' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

1. Ich habe gestern Abend einen spannenden Thriller im Kino gesehen.
   (I watched an exciting thriller at the cinema last night.)
2. Die Handlung des Thrillers war sehr komplex und fesselnd.
   (The plot of the thriller was very complex and captivating.)
3. In diesem Thriller gibt es viele unerwartete Wendungen.
   (In this thriller, there are many unexpected twists.)
4. Sie liest am liebsten Thriller von skandinavischen Autoren.
   (She prefers reading thrillers by Scandinavian authors.)
5. Die Thriller dieses Regisseurs sind bekannt für ihre düstere Atmosphäre.
   (The thrillers by this director are known for their dark atmosphere.)

💡 How 'der Thriller' is Used

The term Thriller is mainly used in the context of entertainment media:

• Filme & Serien (Movies & Series): 'Polit-Thriller' (political thriller), 'Psycho-Thriller' (psychological thriller), 'Action-Thriller' are common subgenres.
• Literatur (Literature): Books designed for suspense and thrill.
• Allgemein (General): Sometimes the term is used metaphorically for very exciting or nerve-wracking events, e.g., „Das Fußballspiel war ein echter Thriller.“ (The football match was a real thriller.)

Although it originates from English, the word 'Thriller' is firmly established in German and is used more frequently than potential German equivalents like 'Spannungsroman' (suspense novel) or 'Reißer' (tear-jerker/page-turner, the latter being more colloquial).

🧠 Memory Aids for 'Thriller'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of the typical hero in a thriller – often it's a masculine figure, DER brave hero saving the day. This helps remember 'der Thriller'.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: The English word 'thrill' is right there inside it. A Thriller provides thrills and suspense.

Imagine: Der Hero is clinging to the cliff – that's der thrill, that's der Thriller!

🔄 Related and Opposite Words

🚨 Attention: While Krimi and Thriller are sometimes used interchangeably, there are subtle differences. In a Krimi, you usually try to find the culprit; in a Thriller, you root for the protagonist trying to escape danger.

😄 A Little Thriller Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keine Thriller auf?
Weil sie nicht das nötige „Fleisch“ für die Spannung haben! 😉

Translation:
Why don't skeletons film thrillers?
Because they don't have the necessary 'flesh' (substance/meat) for the suspense! 😉 (It's a pun on 'Fleisch' meaning both 'flesh' and 'substance/meat of the matter').

📜 Poem about a Thriller

Dunkle Nacht, ein leiser Schritt,
Der Held, er kommt nicht mehr mit.
Gefahr lauert, kalt und schwer,
Ein guter Thriller, bitte mehr! Spannung steigt, das Herz pocht schnell,
Die Auflösung kommt, ganz grell.
Wer ist der Feind, wer ist der Freund?
Ein Thriller, der uns fest vereint – im Mitfiebern!

Translation:
Dark night, a quiet step,
The hero can no longer keep up.
Danger lurks, cold and heavy,
A good thriller, please give me plenty!
Suspense rises, the heart beats fast,
The resolution comes, blindingly vast.
Who is the foe, who is the friend?
A thriller that tightly binds us – in suspense together!

🧩 Who or What am I?

Ich halte dich wach, oft bis tief in die Nacht,
Mit Spannung und Angst hab ich dich umgebracht –
...fast! Denn du fieberst ja mit, Seite um Seite,
Oder im Kinosessel, ganz ohne Geleite.
Mal jagt ein Agent, mal flieht wer im Dunkeln,
Ich lass' deine Nerven ganz ordentlich munkeln.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I keep you awake, often late into the night,
With suspense and fear, I've killed you –
...almost! Because you're on edge, page after page,
Or in the cinema seat, without an entourage.
Sometimes an agent chases, sometimes someone flees in the dark,
I make your nerves properly jitter and spark.

What am I?

Solution: Der Thriller

🌐 More about 'der Thriller'

Word Origin: The word 'Thriller' comes directly from the English verb 'to thrill', meaning to excite, arouse, or send a shiver down someone's spine. It has become firmly established in German as the term for the genre.

Subgenres: There are many specific types of thrillers, e.g.:

• Psychothriller: Focuses on the mental state of the characters.
• Actionthriller: Features many chase scenes, fights, and explosions.
• Politthriller: Plot revolves around political intrigue and power struggles.
• Spionagethriller: Centers on spies and secret services.
• Technothriller: Technology plays a central role in the plot.