der
Wähler
🗳️ What does "der Wähler" mean?
Der Wähler refers to a voter, specifically a person (usually male or used generically) who is entitled to cast a vote in an election. It's the person who wählt (votes/chooses).
It's a nominalization of the verb wählen (to vote, to choose).
The feminine form is die Wählerin (female voter).
⚠️ Attention: In the plural, the generic masculine form "die Wähler" is often used for all genders, although "die Wählerinnen und Wähler" (female and male voters) or more inclusive forms are becoming increasingly common.
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 of "Wähler" in Detail
"Der Wähler" is a masculine noun. It belongs to the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination), which means it takes an -n ending in all cases except the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Wähler |
| Genitive | des | Wählern |
| Dative | dem | Wählern |
| Accusative | den | Wählern |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wähler |
| Genitive | der | Wähler |
| Dative | den | Wählern |
| Accusative | die | Wähler |
Example Sentences
- Der Wähler hat nur eine Stimme. (The voter has only one vote. - Nominative Singular)
- Die Meinung des Wählers ist wichtig für die Demokratie. (The opinion of the voter is important for democracy. - Genitive Singular)
- Die Politiker versuchen, dem Wähler ihre Programme näherzubringen. (The politicians try to explain their platforms to the voter. - Dative Singular)
- Die Parteien wollen den Wähler überzeugen. (The parties want to convince the voter. - Accusative Singular)
- Die Wähler gehen zur Wahlurne. (The voters go to the ballot box. - Nominative Plural)
- Der Wille der Wähler muss respektiert werden. (The will of the voters must be respected. - Genitive Plural)
- Man dankt den Wählern für ihre Teilnahme. (Thanks are given to the voters for their participation. - Dative Plural)
- Die Wahlforscher befragen die Wähler nach ihrer Entscheidung. (The pollsters ask the voters about their decision. - Accusative Plural)
🗣️ How to use "der Wähler"?
"Der Wähler" is primarily used in a political context, referring to elections, voting, and democracy.
- Typical Contexts: Wahlkampf (election campaign), Wahlanalyse (election analysis), political discussions, reporting on elections.
- Related Terms: wählen (verb: to vote/choose), die Wahl (noun: election, choice), der Wahlzettel (ballot paper), die Wahlkabine (voting booth), die Wahlbeteiligung (voter turnout).
- Distinction: While "der Wähler" refers to the person actively voting, "der Stimmberechtigte" is someone who has the right to vote (person entitled to vote), but might not necessarily exercise it.
🧠 Mnemonics for "Wähler"
- Article Mnemonic: Think of the person who makes the choice as the 'leader' of their own decision in the booth. Leaders are often male in traditional German grammar thoughts, hence DER Wähler.
- Meaning Mnemonic: It sounds a bit like 'voter' if you imagine the 'W' making a 'V' sound (common in German). The person who has the Wahl (choice/election) is the Wähler.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of "Wähler"
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der Stimmberechtigte: person entitled to vote (more formal)
- Der Urnengänger: person going to the polls (lit. 'ballot box walker', slightly informal)
- Der Elektor: elector (rare, more historical or specific, e.g., electoral college in the US)
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Der Nichtwähler: non-voter
- Der Wahlverweigerer: person who refuses to vote (often implying a conscious decision)
Similar but different words:
- Der Zähler: counter (person or device that counts) - sounds slightly similar but different meaning.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Hast du schon die neuesten Umfrageergebnisse gesehen?"
Sagt der andere: "Ja, erschreckend! Die Wähler scheinen immer noch eine eigene Meinung zu haben!"
Translation:
One politician asks another: "Have you seen the latest poll results?"
The other says: "Yes, terrifying! The voters still seem to have their own opinions!"
✒️ Poem about the Voter
Der Wähler steht bereit,
In ernster, wichtiger Zeit.
Sein Kreuzchen, klein und klar,
Bestimmt das nächste Jahr.
Er hofft, er wählt mit Sinn,
Für einen guten Beginn.
Translation:
The voter stands ready,
In serious, important times.
His little cross, small and clear,
Determines the next year.
He hopes, he votes with sense,
For a good commencement.
❓ Riddle
Ich habe eine Stimme, doch kann nicht singen.
Ich treffe Entscheidungen, die Veränderungen bringen.
Alle paar Jahre werde ich wichtig und gefragt,
Meine Macht wird in eine Urne gelegt, ganz unverzagt.
Wer bin ich? ... Der Wähler
Translation:
I have a voice, but cannot sing.
I make decisions that bring change.
Every few years I become important and sought after,
My power is placed in an urn, quite undaunted.
Who am I? ... The voter (Der Wähler)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition: The word "Wähler" is a Nomen Agentis (agent noun), derived from the verb "wählen" (to vote/choose) by adding the suffix "-er". This suffix often forms nouns denoting a person who performs the action expressed by the verb (e.g., fahren -> Fahrer (driver), lehren -> Lehrer (teacher)).
Context: The term plays a central role in democratic systems and is closely linked to concepts such as civic duty (Bürgerpflicht), political participation (politische Teilhabe), and representation (Repräsentation).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wähler?
The word "Wähler" is masculine. The correct article is der Wähler. The feminine form is "die Wählerin" (female voter), and the plural is "die Wähler" (voters). It follows the N-declension pattern.