der
Vegetarier
🥦 What does 'der Vegetarier' mean?
Der Vegetarier refers to a male person who, for ethical, health, ecological, or other reasons, abstains from eating meat and fish, but usually consumes dairy products, eggs, and honey.
It describes a person who follows a vegetarian diet.
The female form is die Vegetarierin (the female vegetarian).
🚨 Attention: Do not confuse with a Veganer (vegan), who abstains from all animal products (including dairy, eggs, honey).
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 Deep Dive: 'der Vegetarier'
The noun 'Vegetarier' is a masculine noun. It follows the N-declension (weak declension) in the plural.
Declension Tables
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Vegetarier |
| Genitive | des | Vegetariers |
| Dative | dem | Vegetarier |
| Accusative | den | Vegetarier |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Vegetarier |
| Genitive | der | Vegetarier |
| Dative | den | Vegetariern |
| Accusative | die | Vegetarier |
💡 Examples
- Mein Bruder ist seit fünf Jahren Vegetarier. (My brother has been a vegetarian for five years.)
- Wir haben für den Vegetarier in unserer Gruppe extra gekocht. (We cooked separately for the vegetarian in our group.)
- Die Meinungen der Vegetarier zum Thema Tierhaltung sind oft sehr fundiert. (The opinions of vegetarians on the topic of animal husbandry are often very well-founded.)
- Wir diskutierten mit den Vegetariern über alternative Proteinquellen. (We discussed alternative protein sources with the vegetarians.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Vegetarier'?
The word 'Vegetarier' is used to describe a person following a specific diet.
- Everyday Language: Very common when talking about eating habits. "Gibt es auf der Party auch etwas für Vegetarier?" (Is there something for vegetarians at the party too?)
- Discussions: In debates about ethics, health, and the environment. "Viele Vegetarier argumentieren mit dem Tierwohl." (Many vegetarians argue based on animal welfare.)
- Distinction: It's important to differentiate from Veganer (eats no animal products at all) and Flexitarier (eats meat only occasionally).
- Context: Often used in relation to restaurants, cooking, food, health, or ethical choices.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article 'der': Remember that 'Vegetarier' ends in '-er', which often (but not always!) indicates masculine persons or professions that take the article 'der' (like der Lehrer - the teacher, der Bäcker - the baker). It describes a man.
Meaning: Imagine someone who only eats vegetables. 'Vegetarier' sounds similar and relates to avoiding meat.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Vegetarier
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- Pflanzenköstler (plant-eater - somewhat dated, but descriptive)
- Fleischvermeider (meat-avoider - descriptive phrasing)
- (Colloquial/joking:) Grünzeugesser (green-stuff-eater)
Antonyms (Opposite terms):
- Fleischesser (meat-eater)
- Karnivore (carnivore - scientific term)
- Allesesser / Omnivore (omnivore - eats both plants and meat)
⚠️ Similar but different terms:
- Veganer: Avoids all animal products (incl. dairy, eggs, honey).
- Pescetarier: Eats fish, but no other meat.
- Flexitarier: Consciously reduces meat consumption, but eats meat occasionally.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Kellner den Gast: "Sind Sie Vegetarier?"
Antwortet der Gast: "Nein, ich bin Widder. Aber warum fragen Sie nach meinem Sternzeichen?"
English Translation: The waiter asks the guest: "Are you a vegetarian?"
The guest replies: "No, I'm an Aries. But why are you asking about my star sign?" (Note: 'Widder' means Aries, the star sign, and sounds a bit like 'weder... noch' - neither... nor, creating a pun around dietary choices vs. astrology.)
📜 Poem about the Vegetarian
German:
Der Teller bunt, das Herz ganz rein,
so soll des Vegetariers Mahlzeit sein.
Kein Tier muss für ihn leiden, sterben,
er will die Pflanzenkost erwerben.
Mit Tofu, Linsen, frischem Kraut,
hat er sich seine Welt gebaut.
Gesund und ethisch, das ist sein Ziel,
der Vegetarier fühlt dabei viel.
English Translation:
The plate colorful, the heart pure,
so should the vegetarian's meal endure.
No animal must suffer or die for him,
he wants to acquire plant-based food from the brim.
With tofu, lentils, fresh greens bright,
he has built his world just right.
Healthy and ethical, that is his aim,
the vegetarian feels much in this game.
🧩 Little Riddle
German:
Ich esse kein Steak und kein Kotelett,
Fisch auf dem Teller find ich nicht nett.
Gemüse und Obst, das mag ich sehr,
Milch und Ei sind keine Beschwer'.
Wer bin ich, sag's geschwind?
English Translation:
I eat no steak and no cutlet,
Fish on my plate, I find no asset.
Vegetables and fruit, I like them a lot,
Milk and eggs aren't a troublesome spot.
Who am I, tell me fast?
(Solution: Der Vegetarier / The vegetarian)
🌐 Other Information
Word Origin: The German word 'Vegetarier' is derived from the English 'vegetarian', which in turn comes from the Latin word 'vegetus', meaning 'lively', 'fresh', or 'vigorous'. So, it originally referred not just to vegetables, but to a way of life perceived as vibrant and strengthening.
Female Form: Die Vegetarierin
Adjective: vegetarisch (vegetarian)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Vegetarier?
The word 'Vegetarier' refers to a male person who follows a vegetarian diet, and therefore takes the masculine article der. The female form is 'die Vegetarierin', and the plural for both genders or mixed groups is 'die Vegetarier'.