der
Torhüter
🥅 What exactly is a Torhüter?
Der Torhüter is a person, usually in sports, whose main task is to defend their own goal (Das Tor) and prevent the opposing team from scoring. You find Torhüter (goalkeepers) in many team sports like football (Fußball), handball (Handball), ice hockey (Eishockey), or water polo (Wasserball).
Alternative terms include Torwart or colloquially Keeper. The feminine form is die Torhüterin.
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: Der Torhüter in Detail
"Torhüter" is a masculine noun. The article is der.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Torhüter |
| Genitive | des | Torhüters |
| Dative | dem | Torhüter |
| Accusative | den | Torhüter |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Torhüter |
| Genitive | der | Torhüter |
| Dative | den | Torhütern |
| Accusative | die | Torhüter |
Example Sentences
- Der Torhüter machte eine unglaubliche Parade. (The goalkeeper made an incredible save.)
- Die Leistung des Torhüters war entscheidend für den Sieg. (The goalkeeper's performance was crucial for the victory.)
- Der Trainer gab dem Torhüter letzte Anweisungen. (The coach gave the goalkeeper final instructions.)
- Die Fans feierten den Torhüter. (The fans celebrated the goalkeeper.)
- Im Kader stehen drei Torhüter. (There are three goalkeepers on the squad.)
⚽ When to use Torhüter?
"Der Torhüter" is primarily used in a sports context. It refers to the player position that guards the goal.
- Fußball (Football/Soccer): The player with gloves who saves shots.
- Handball: The player in the goal area who blocks throws.
- Eishockey (Ice Hockey): The heavily padded player in front of the goal (also called Goalie).
Torhüter vs. Torwart: The terms Torhüter and Torwart are largely synonymous and interchangeable. "Torwart" might be slightly more common in football, while "Torhüter" is often perceived as slightly more formal or comprehensive and is also frequently used in other sports like handball. Colloquially, you often hear Keeper (from English).
🧠 Mnemonics for Memorization
Article Mnemonic: Think: DER Torhüter is often thE hERo (the man) in the goal, saving the game. Most sports positions with a masculine connotation take 'der'.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Tor (goal) + hüten (to guard, to watch over, like a shepherd 'hütet' his sheep). Someone who 'hütet' the 'Tor'. He hunts (sounds like 'hütet') for the ball near the Tor.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning)
Antonyms (Opposite concepts)
Direct antonyms don't really exist, but functional opposites include:
⚠️ Potential Confusion
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer den neuen Torhüter: "Können Sie eigentlich Elfmeter halten?"
Darauf der Torhüter: "Klar, wohin soll ich ihn denn tragen?"
Translation:
The coach asks the new goalkeeper: "Can you actually save penalties?" (The verb 'halten' means both 'to save/stop' and 'to hold/carry').
The goalkeeper replies: "Sure, where should I carry it to?"
✍️ Poem about the Goalkeeper
Im Kasten steht er, ganz allein,
Der Torhüter, der Fels im Sein.
Handschuh an, den Blick gespannt,
Hält er den Ball mit starker Hand.
Er fliegt und hechtet, schnell und wach,
Bewahrt sein Team vor Ungemach.
Ob Schuss, ob Kopfball, nah, ob fern,
Den Kasten sauber hält er gern.
Translation:
In the box he stands, all alone,
The goalkeeper, the rock, the stone.
Gloves on, his gaze intense and keen,
He holds the ball with a strong hand's screen.
He flies and dives, quick and awake,
Protects his team from any break.
Whether shot or header, near or far,
He gladly keeps his goal subpar (for the opponent).
❓ Little Riddle
Ich trage Handschuhe, aber arbeite nicht im Garten. Ich stehe oft allein, doch gehöre zur Mannschaft. Mein Job ist es, das Netz sauber zu halten, aber ich bin kein Fischer.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I wear gloves, but I don't work in the garden.
I often stand alone, yet I belong to the team.
My job is to keep the net clean, but I'm not a fisherman.
Who am I?
Solution: Der Torhüter (The Goalkeeper)
🤓 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
The word "Torhüter" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Das Tor: The goal or gate into which the ball or puck is meant to be played.
- hüten: To guard, protect, watch over.
Famous German Goalkeepers: Germany is famous for its outstanding goalkeepers (Torhüter), such as Sepp Maier, Oliver Kahn, and Manuel Neuer.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Torhüter?
The word "Torhüter" is masculine, so the correct article is der. It refers to a person (usually in sports) who guards the goal. The feminine form is die Torhüterin, and the plural form is die Torhüter.