der
Torwart
🥅 What exactly is a 'Torwart'?
The Torwart (masculine) is a central figure in many ball sports like Fußball (football/soccer), Handball, or Eishockey (ice hockey). His main task is to defend his own goal (das Tor) and prevent the ball or puck from entering it. He is the last line of defense for his team.
There is only this one article, der, for the word Torwart, as it clearly refers to a (usually male) person. For female goalkeepers, the form die Torwartin is used.
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.
🧐 Grammar: 'Der Torwart' in Detail
The noun „Torwart“ is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case (Kasus) | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der | Torwart |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Torwarts / Torwartes |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem | Torwart / Torwarte |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den | Torwart |
Plural
| Case (Kasus) | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Torwarte |
| Genitive | der | Torwarte |
| Dative | den | Torwarten |
| Accusative | die | Torwarte |
💡 Example Sentences
- Der Torwart parierte den Elfmeter bravourös. (The goalkeeper saved the penalty brilliantly.)
- Die Leistung des Torwarts war entscheidend für den Sieg. (The goalkeeper's performance was crucial for the victory.)
- Der Trainer gab dem Torwart letzte Anweisungen. (The coach gave the goalkeeper final instructions.)
- Alle feierten den Torwart nach seiner Glanzparade. (Everyone celebrated the goalkeeper after his brilliant save.)
- Die Torwarte trainieren separat vom Rest der Mannschaft. (The goalkeepers train separately from the rest of the team.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Torwart'?
The term Torwart is primarily used in a sporting context. It describes the player position that guards the goal.
- Sports: Most commonly found in Fußball (soccer), Handball, Eishockey (ice hockey), Wasserball (water polo), and Feldhockey (field hockey).
- Synonyms: Synonyms like Torhüter (also very common) or (colloquially) Keeper are often used. Schlussmann (literally 'closing man') is another, slightly more formal term.
- Contrast: A Feldspieler (field player) is the opposite of a Torwart; they play on the field and are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands (in soccer, except for throw-ins).
⚠️ Attention: Although 'Torwart' is masculine, the term is sometimes used generically for the position, even when a woman is playing. However, the correct term for a female goalkeeper is die Torwartin.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article 'der'
Imagine: DER big, strong man who wartet (waits/guards) at the Tor (goal). This helps remember the masculine article der. Since goalkeepers are often perceived as strong male figures (traditionally), link 'der' (masculine article) to this image.
Meaning 'Torwart'
A Torwart is someone who guards the Tor (goal) and wartet (waits) for the ball to save it. The parts of the word directly indicate the meaning: 'goal guard'.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar words)
- Torhüter: Very common, often used interchangeably. (Hüter = keeper/guardian)
- Keeper: Colloquial, borrowed from English.
- Schlussmann: Slightly more formal, emphasizes the position as the 'last man'. (Schluss = end/close, Mann = man)
- Goalie: Also from English, more common in ice hockey or colloquial speech.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Feldspieler: General term for all players except the goalkeeper (field player).
- Stürmer: Player whose main task is to score goals (striker/forward - offensive counterpart).
- Verteidiger: Player who primarily supports the defense but plays in front of the goalkeeper (defender).
Potentially Confusing Words?
Torwärter: Sounds similar but is less common in sports. A 'Wärter' generally is someone who guards something (e.g., Gefängniswärter - prison guard). 'Torwart' is the established sports term.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Trainer den neuen Torwart: "Sind Sie sicher, dass Sie Torwart sind?"
Antwortet der Torwart: "Ja, wieso?"
Trainer: "Nun, bisher ist noch jeder Ball durchgekommen, den ich auf Sie geworfen habe!"
English Translation: The coach asks the new goalkeeper: "Are you sure you're a goalkeeper?"
The goalkeeper replies: "Yes, why?"
Coach: "Well, so far every ball I've thrown at you has gone past!"
📜 Poem about the Goalkeeper
German:
Im Kasten steht er, voll Konzentration,
Der Torwart kennt nur eine Mission.
Den Ball zu fangen, schnell wie der Blitz,
Verhindern jeden gegnerischen Witz.
Mit Handschuh'n groß und wachem Blick,
Bringt er dem Team das Siegerglück.
Er fliegt und hechtet, hält den Kasten rein,
Ein Held im Tor, so soll es sein!
English Translation:
In the box he stands, full of concentration,
The goalkeeper knows only one mission.
To catch the ball, quick as lightning flash,
Preventing every opponent's dash.
With gloves so big and watchful eyes,
He brings the team the winning prize.
He flies and dives, keeps the goal clear,
A hero in goal, banishing fear!
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich trage Handschuhe, aber arbeite nicht im Garten.
Ich stehe oft still, muss aber blitzschnell starten.
Mein Ziel ist es, dass andere ihr Ziel nicht erreichen.
Ich bin der letzte Mann, kann Siegeichen (Siege) erreichen.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation:
I wear gloves, but don't work in the garden.
I often stand still, but must start in a flash.
My goal is that others don't reach their goal.
I am the last man, can achieve victories.
Who am I? (Solution: der Torwart / the goalkeeper)
🤓 Trivia & Word Origin
Word Composition: The word "Torwart" is composed of:
- Tor: Means 'goal' in the sporting sense here.
- Wart: Related to "warten" (to wait) and "Wärter" (guard/keeper), here meaning someone who guards or keeps something.
So, a Torwart is literally a 'goal guard'.
Famous German Goalkeepers: Germany is known for its outstanding goalkeepers, such as Sepp Maier, Oliver Kahn, and Manuel Neuer.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Torwart?
The word "Torwart" is always masculine, so the correct article is der Torwart. The female form is die Torwartin.