der
Trockner
🧺 What exactly is a Trockner?
Der Trockner is a household appliance used to dry damp laundry using warm air and rotation. It's an alternative to drying clothes on a Wäscheleine (clothesline).
In a technical context, Trockner can also generally refer to a device or agent for drying (e.g., Haartrockner (hair dryer), Händetrockner (hand dryer), or a Trockenmittel (desiccant)), but in everyday language, it almost always means the Wäschetrockner (clothes dryer).
⚠️ Be careful not to put every piece of clothing in the Trockner, as some materials can shrink or get damaged.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ner → almost always masculine.
Compare with the category '-er'.
Devices → mostly masculine.
Caution: das Gerät
-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 of "der Trockner" in Detail
The word "Trockner" is a masculine noun. The article is der.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Trockner |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Trockner |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Trockner |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Trockners |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Trockner |
| Accusative | die | Trockner |
| Dative | den | Trocknern |
| Genitive | der | Trockner |
💡 Examples
- Der neue Trockner verbraucht weniger Strom. (The new dryer uses less electricity.)
- Ich stelle den Trockner an, sobald die Waschmaschine fertig ist. (I'll turn on the dryer as soon as the washing machine is finished.)
- Die Flusen müssen aus dem Trockner entfernt werden. (The lint must be removed from the dryer.)
- Die Bedienungsanleitung des Trockners liegt auf dem Gerät. (The dryer's instruction manual is on top of the appliance.)
- Im Keller stehen zwei Trockner zur gemeinsamen Nutzung. (There are two dryers in the basement for shared use.)
💬 How to use "Trockner"?
"Der Trockner" is mainly used in the context of household chores and laundry care.
- Everyday language: "Ich muss noch die Wäsche in den Trockner tun." (I still need to put the laundry in the dryer.)
- Technical context: Different types are distinguished, e.g., Kondenstrockner (condenser dryer), Wärmepumpentrockner (heat pump dryer), or Ablufttrockner (vented dryer).
- Distinction: While the Trockner dries the laundry, the Waschmaschine (washing machine) cleans it beforehand. The Wäscheleine (clothesline) is the manual alternative. A Haartrockner (hair dryer / blow dryer) dries hair, not clothes.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article: Think of a strong guy, maybe named DERek, who helps with the heavy, warm Trockner – it's masculine (der).
Meaning: The word Trockner sounds like "trocken", which means dry. The Trockner makes things dry.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar meaning):
- Wäschetrockner: This is the more precise term (laundry dryer).
- Tumbler: Borrowed from English, often used synonymously in German.
Antonyms (Opposite concept):
- Waschmaschine: Washing machine – makes clothes wet/clean, not dry.
- Wäscheleine / Wäscheständer: Clothesline / drying rack – also for drying, but passively and without technology.
Similar but different words:
😄 A Little Dryer Joke
Warum hat der Trockner schlechte Laune?
Weil er immer nur die Drecksarbeit von der Waschmaschine abbekommt und am Ende alle Flusen an ihm hängen bleiben!
(Why is the dryer in a bad mood?
Because it always gets the dirty work from the washing machine and ends up covered in lint!)
🎶 Poem about the Trockner
Der Trockner brummt, ein warmer Wind,
macht nasse Wäsche trocken geschwind.
Er dreht sich rund, mal links, mal rechts,
ein treuer Helfer, ist nichts Schlechtes.
Pullover, Socken, Handtuch weich,
dank ihm wird alles trocken gleich.
(The dryer hums, a warm breeze,
makes wet laundry quickly dry with ease.
It turns around, left and then right,
a faithful helper, shining bright.
Sweater, socks, towel soft and grand,
thanks to it, everything's dry on hand.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe eine Trommel, doch spiel keine Musik.
Ich mache warm, doch bin kein Kamin im Glück.
Ich nehme Nasses auf und geb es trocken raus.
Was bin ich für ein Ding im Haus?
(I have a drum, but play no music.
I make things warm, but I'm no lucky fireplace brick.
I take in wet things and give them out dry.
What kind of thing in the house am I?)
Solution: Der Trockner (The dryer)
✨ Other Info about the Trockner
Word Composition:
The word "Trockner" derives from the verb "trocknen" (to dry) and the suffix "-er" forms a noun indicating an agent or a device.
- trocknen + -er → der Trockner
Trivia:
- Wärmepumpentrockner (heat pump dryers) are considered more energy-efficient than Kondenstrockner (condenser dryers).
- Regularly cleaning the Flusensieb (lint filter) is important for the appliance's efficiency and safety.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Trockner?
The German word "Trockner" is masculine. The correct article is der. So, you say der Trockner.