der
Urlauber
🏖️ What does "der Urlauber" mean?
Der Urlauber refers to a male person who is on Urlaub (vacation/holiday), meaning they are taking a trip or have taken time off work for recreation.
It describes a person temporarily staying in a place other than their usual residence, mostly for leisure purposes. The female form is die Urlauberin.
🚨 Important: The word is often used in the plural, die Urlauber, when talking about a group of people on vacation.
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 Insights: Der Urlauber
"Urlauber" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Urlauber |
| Genitive | des | Urlaubers |
| Dative | dem | Urlauber |
| Accusative | den | Urlauber |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Urlauber |
| Genitive | der | Urlauber |
| Dative | den | Urlaubern |
| Accusative | die | Urlauber |
Example Sentences
- Der Urlauber genoss die Sonne am Strand. (The vacationer enjoyed the sun on the beach.)
- Das Hotel ist bei deutschen Urlaubern sehr beliebt. (The hotel is very popular with German vacationers.)
- Dem Urlauber wurde sein Koffer gestohlen. (The vacationer's suitcase was stolen. / lit. To the vacationer, his suitcase was stolen.)
- Wir sahen viele Urlauber am Pool entspannen. (We saw many vacationers relaxing by the pool.)
🌍 Everyday Use
The term Urlauber is frequently used in contexts related to travel, tourism, and holidays (Ferien). You'll find it in travel brochures, news about tourism, or everyday conversations about vacation plans.
- Context: Typically describes someone actively taking a vacation, often abroad or at least outside their normal environment.
- Distinction:
- Tourist: Very similar, often used synonymously. "Tourist" sometimes emphasizes sightseeing more strongly.
- Reisender (Traveller): A more general term describing anyone on a journey, including business travellers. An Urlauber is always a Reisender, but not every Reisender is an Urlauber.
- Gast (Guest): Often refers to someone in accommodation (Hotelgast) or at an event, not specifically related to being on vacation.
- Formality: The word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
💡 Mnemonics for "Urlauber"
Article Mnemonic: Think: Der Mann (the man) takes Urlaub. Vacation is for him (masculine) -> der Urlauber.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone looking "Ur-old" (primevally old) from work, so the boss laubt (allows, sounds likelaub') them to finally take time off. They become an Urlauber! (Ur- + laub)
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Der Arbeitende / Berufstätige: Worker / Employed person.
- Der Daheimgebliebene: Person who stays at home instead of travelling.
- Der Einheimische: Local / Native (person living at the vacation destination).
⚠️ Similar words: Don't confuse with "Erlauber" (someone who permits something), which is very rare, or "Lauber" (someone who collects leaves), also rare.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Hotelmanager den Urlauber: "Na, wie war Ihr erster Tag am Strand?" Antwortet der Urlauber: "Wunderbar! Ich habe so viel Sonne getankt, mein Schatten ist jetzt braun gebrannt!"
English: The hotel manager asks the vacationer: "So, how was your first day at the beach?" The vacationer replies: "Wonderful! I soaked up so much sun, my shadow has a tan now!"
✍️ Poem about the Urlauber
German:
Der Urlauber packt die Koffer schnell,
die Arbeit ruft nicht, das ist hell!
Am Strand, im Sand, unter Palmen grün,
lässt er die Seele einfach zieh'n.
Erholung pur, weit weg vom Stress,
so lebt der Urlauber, ohne Mess'.
English:
The vacationer packs his bags so fast,
No work is calling, shadows cast!
On beach, in sand, 'neath palm trees green,
He lets his soul just drift and preen.
Pure relaxation, far from stress,
The vacationer lives, no need to guess.
❓ A Little Riddle
German:
Ich reise gern, mal nah, mal fern,
hab frei von Arbeit, das hab ich gern.
Ich lieg am Strand, besteig' den Berg,
bin oft Tourist, doch kein kleiner Zwerg.
Wer bin ich (in der männlichen Form)?
English:
I like to travel, near and far,
Have time off work, behind the car.
I lie on beaches, climb the peak,
Am often tourist, words I speak.
Who am I (in the masculine form)?
Solution: Der Urlauber
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Urlauber" is composed of:
- Urlaub: Vacation, holiday, time off work. Originally, "Urlaub" meant permission to leave (e.g., from the lord's court or military service). From "erlauben" (to allow).
- -er: A suffix often used to denote a person performing an action or originating from a place (e.g., Bäcker - baker, Berliner - person from Berlin). Here, it denotes the person who takes Urlaub.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Urlauber?
The word "Urlauber" is masculine. The correct article is der: der Urlauber (singular) and die Urlauber (plural).