der /
die
Verwandte
📖 Meaning of Verwandte
The word Verwandte is a nominalized adjective (an adjective used as a noun) and refers to a person connected to another person by birth or marriage (a relative).
- der Verwandte: Refers to a male person who is a relative (e.g., uncle, male cousin, brother-in-law).
- die Verwandte: Refers to a female person who is a relative (e.g., aunt, female cousin, sister-in-law).
🚨 Important: Because it's a nominalized adjective, it is declined like an adjective, depending on the preceding article or pronoun (weak, mixed, or strong declension).
In the plural, the form for both genders is die Verwandten (the relatives).
🧠 Grammar of Verwandte in Detail
As a nominalized adjective, "Verwandte" follows adjective declension rules. Here are the declension tables for the forms with the definite article (weak declension):
Masculine (der Verwandte - the male relative)
| Case | Definite Article Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Verwandte |
| Genitive | des Verwandten |
| Dative | dem Verwandten |
| Accusative | den Verwandten |
Feminine (die Verwandte - the female relative)
| Case | Definite Article Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Verwandte |
| Genitive | der Verwandten |
| Dative | der Verwandten |
| Accusative | die Verwandte |
Plural (both genders - die Verwandten - the relatives)
| Case | Definite Article Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Verwandten |
| Genitive | der Verwandten |
| Dative | den Verwandten |
| Accusative | die Verwandten |
⚠️ Note: With an indefinite article (ein/eine) or without an article, the ending changes according to the mixed or strong adjective declension rules (e.g., ein Verwandter - a male relative, eine Verwandte - a female relative, Verwandte besuchen - to visit relatives).
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Verwandte aus Amerika kommt zu Besuch. (The male relative from America is coming to visit.)
- Ich habe mit dem Verwandten telefoniert. (I talked to the male relative on the phone.)
- Die Verwandte hat uns zum Kaffee eingeladen. (The female relative invited us for coffee.)
- Kennst du die Verwandte von Peter? (Do you know Peter's female relative?)
- Wir besuchen am Wochenende die Verwandten. (We are visiting the relatives on the weekend.)
- Das Erbe wurde unter allen Verwandten aufgeteilt. (The inheritance was divided among all the relatives.)
🗣️ How to Use Verwandte
"Verwandte(r)" is used to talk generally about people who belong to one's family without specifying the exact degree of kinship (like Onkel, Tante, Cousin).
- Context: Often used in conversations about family gatherings (Familientreffen), inheritance matters (Erbschaftsangelegenheiten), social networks, or simply to express belonging to a family.
- Difference from "Familienmitglied" (family member): "Verwandte(r)" is very similar but perhaps emphasizes the blood or marriage connection slightly more. "Familienmitglied" can sometimes be interpreted more narrowly (nuclear family). In the plural ("die Verwandten" vs. "die Familienmitglieder"), they are often interchangeable.
- Formal Use: The word is also used in official or legal contexts (e.g., "Verwandte ersten Grades" - first-degree relatives).
💡 Mnemonics for Verwandte
Article/Gender: Think of the adjective "verwandt". The "t" ending is typical for many masculine nouns. For the feminine form "die", you need the typical feminine adjective ending "-e" -> die Verwandte. Remember: DER has a T-sound (verwandter - with indefinite article), DIE ends in E (die Verwandte).
Meaning: Imagine you 'wander' (sounds like 'wandt' in Verwandte) to your family gatherings because you are 'related' (verwandt). They are your Verwandten.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Angehörige(r): (Member/Relative) Very similar, often interchangeable.
- Familienmitglied: (Family member) Also refers to people in the family.
- Sippe: (Clan/Kin) Outdated/regional term for the entire extended family, sometimes used humorously or slightly negatively.
- Blutsverwandte(r): (Blood relative) Emphasizes the biological connection.
😂 A Little Joke about Relatives
German: Warum sind Verwandte manchmal wie Wolken?Wenn sie sich verziehen, kann es noch ein schöner Tag werden! 😉
English Translation: Why are relatives sometimes like clouds?When they disappear ('sich verziehen' means to leave/disperse, but also 'to clear up' for weather), it can still turn into a beautiful day! 😉
✒️ Poem about Relatives
German:
Ob nah, ob fern, ob alt, ob jung,
Ein Band uns hält mit festem Schwung.
Der Verwandte lacht, die Tante winkt,
Ein guter Rat oft von ihm klingt.
Die Verwandte mit Kuchen hier,
Gemeinsam sind wir, das glauben wir.
Die Bande stark, das Herz ganz weit,
Für alle Zeit, für alle Zeit.
English Translation:
Whether near or far, whether old or young,
A bond holds us with a firm swing.
The male relative laughs, the aunt waves,
Good advice often sounds from him.
The female relative here with cake,
Together we are, that we believe.
The bonds strong, the heart wide open,
For all time, for all time.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich bin männlich oder weiblich, je nachdem, wer spricht,
bin Teil der Familie, vergiss das nicht!
Manchmal nah, manchmal fern,
Besucht man mich doch gern.
Wer bin ich? ... Ein(e) Verwandte(r)
English Translation:
I am male or female, depending on who speaks,
I am part of the family, don't forget this!
Sometimes near, sometimes far,
People like to visit me nonetheless.
Who am I? ... A relative (der/die Verwandte)
🧐 Other Interesting Info
- Word Origin (Wortherkunft): "Verwandte(r)" derives from the adjective "verwandt", meaning "related", "akin". It comes from Middle High German "verwant", a form of "wenden" (to turn). So, relatives are people 'turned towards' each other.
- Nominalization (Substantivierung): This is a classic example of nominalization in German, where adjectives are used as nouns and take on their declension patterns. Other examples include "Bekannte(r)" (acquaintance), "Angestellte(r)" (employee), "Beamte(r)" (civil servant).
- Plural Form (Pluralform): The plural form "die Verwandten" is very common and refers to the entirety of related persons.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verwandte?
The word "Verwandte" refers to a relative. It is der Verwandte for a male relative and die Verwandte for a female relative. Since it's a nominalized adjective, it's declined like an adjective following the article. There is no 'das Verwandte'.