der  Verehrer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈeːʁɐ/

🧐 What does "der Verehrer" mean?

Der Verehrer is a masculine noun describing a person who greatly admires or appreciates someone or something. It has two main meanings:

• Admirer/Fan: A person who holds another person (often a public figure like an artist, actor, or writer) or their work in high esteem and admiration.
• Suitor/Admirer (in a romantic context): A man who shows romantic interest in a woman, courts her, or is in love with her.

The feminine counterpart is die Verehrerin.

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the precise meaning – whether it's pure admiration or romantic courtship.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "Verehrer" in Detail

"Verehrer" is a masculine noun (Maskulinum) and follows the weak n-declension in the plural.

Example Sentences

1. Der berühmte Schauspieler hatte viele Verehrer.
   (The famous actor had many admirers.)
2. Sie erhielt Blumen von einem heimlichen Verehrer.
   (She received flowers from a secret admirer/suitor.)
3. Als großer Verehrer seiner Kunst besuchte er jede Ausstellung.
   (As a great admirer of his art, he visited every exhibition.)
4. Der junge Mann war ein schüchterner Verehrer seiner Nachbarin.
   (The young man was a shy admirer/suitor of his neighbor.)

🗣️ How is "Verehrer" used?

The term "Verehrer" is often used to express a strong positive attitude towards a person or thing.

• Romantic Context: Here, "Verehrer" describes a man courting a woman. It can sometimes sound a bit old-fashioned but is still used, often slightly ironically or humorously. Synonyms like Anbeter ('worshipper') or Liebhaber ('lover') might fit depending on the context, although Liebhaber often implies a sexual relationship, which is not necessarily the case with Verehrer.
• Context of Admiration: Here, "Verehrer" is more neutral and describes someone who has respect and high regard for someone's talent, work, or personality (e.g., a Fan, Bewunderer ('admirer') of an artist, scientist, etc.).

Compared to Fan, Verehrer often sounds more formal or expresses a deeper, more personal admiration.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Verehrer"

For the article 'der': Think of typical masculine roles: der Mann (the man), der Held (the hero), der Herr (the gentleman) – these are often men who are or have Verehrer. Also, der Verehrer ends in '-er', like many masculine professions or roles in German (der Lehrer - teacher, der Bäcker - baker).

For the meaning: Imagine someone looking up reverently (ehrfürchtig) to the person they 'verehren' (admire, revere). A Verehrer gives someone 'Ehre' (honour). Think of 'revere' - a Verehrer reveres someone.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Be careful with "Anhänger": This can mean 'follower' or 'supporter' in a political or ideological sense and doesn't always fit as a synonym for "Verehrer".

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt sie ihn: "Hast du eigentlich viele heimliche Verehrerinnen?" Er: "Keine Ahnung, die sind ja heimlich!"

English: She asks him: "Do you actually have many secret admirers (female)?" He: "No idea, they are secret after all!"

📜 Poem about the Verehrer

German:
Ein Blick, ein Lächeln, zart und fein,
so schleicht sich der Verehrer ein.
Mit Blumen rot und Worten süß,
hofft er auf einen Liebesgruß.
Ob Künstler, Star, ob Nachbarin,
Bewunderung liegt ihm im Sinn.

English Translation:
A glance, a smile, so tender, fine,
the admirer makes his way divine.
With flowers red and words so sweet,
he hopes a loving glance to meet.
Be it artist, star, or neighbour near,
Admiration's what he holds so dear.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich schicke Blumen, schreib' Gedichte,
folge dir auf Schritt und Tritt ins Lichte.
Ich schätze deine Kunst, dein Sein,
ob heimlich still, ob allgemein.
Bin männlich und bewund're sehr –
wer bin ich wohl? Ich bin ...

English:
I send you flowers, write you poems,
follow your every step towards the light's gleams.
I value your art, your very being,
whether secretly quiet or for all seeing.
I'm male and admire very much, you hear –
who could I be? I am ...

Solution: der Verehrer (the admirer/suitor)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Verehrer" derives from the verb "verehren" (to admire, revere, worship). The prefix "ver-" often intensifies the meaning of the base verb, here "ehren" (to honour, respect). The suffix "-er" creates the masculine noun denoting the person performing the action (similar to lehren -> Lehrer [teacher], backen -> Bäcker [baker]).

Cultural Context:

The concept of the "Verehrer" plays a role in many literary works and historical contexts, especially related to courtly love or the courtship of women in earlier eras.