der / die  Wiener

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈviːnɐ/

🧐 Unpacking 'Wiener': Meanings and Origins

The German word Wiener has several meanings, usually distinguished by the article:

• Der Wiener: This refers to a male person from Vienna or living in Vienna. It's the masculine form for an inhabitant of Vienna. Example: Der Wiener bestellt einen Kaffee. (The Viennese man orders a coffee.)
• Die Wiener: This can have multiple meanings:
  1. It can refer to a female person from Vienna or living there (substantivized adjective, e.g., from die schöne Wienerin → die Wiener). Example: Die Wiener geht gern ins Theater. (The Viennese woman likes to go to the theatre.)
  2. It refers to the well-known Viennese sausages (Wiener Würstchen). In this meaning, it is very often used in the plural (die Wiener), but can also be singular for a single sausage (eine Wiener, then with the definite article die Wiener). Example: Zum Mittagessen gibt es heute die Wiener mit Kartoffelsalat. (For lunch today, there are Viennese sausages with potato salad.)
  3. It can also be the plural of "der Wiener", meaning several male inhabitants of Vienna or a mixed group of Viennese people. Example: Die Wiener sind für ihren Charme bekannt. (The Viennese are known for their charm.)

🚨 Attention: The distinction is important to avoid misunderstandings!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 The Grammar of 'Wiener': Cases and Examples

The declension of "Wiener" depends on its gender and meaning.

Declension of "der Wiener" (male person)

Declension of "die Wiener" (female person)

As a substantivized adjective (e.g., eine Wiener Frau → eine Wiener).

Declension of "die Wiener" (sausages)

"Wiener" as a term for sausages is mostly used in the plural. The singular (die Wiener for die Wiener Wurst) is less common but possible.

📝 Example Sentences:

• Der Wiener: Der Wiener erzählte von seiner Heimatstadt. (The Viennese man talked about his hometown.)
• Die Wiener (woman): Wir trafen eine Wiener, die uns den Weg zeigte. Die Wiener war sehr freundlich. (We met a Viennese woman who showed us the way. The Viennese woman was very friendly.)
• Die Wiener (sausages): Kinder essen gerne Wiener mit Ketchup. (Children like to eat Viennese sausages with ketchup.) (Plural)
• Die Wiener (plural of people): Viele Wiener besuchen den Prater. (Many Viennese people visit the Prater.)

💡 Using 'Wiener' Like a Local

The use of "Wiener" is context-dependent:

• Der Wiener / Die Wiener (person): Used to describe a person's origin from Vienna. Often associated with clichés like the "Wiener Schmäh" (Viennese charm) or a certain leisurely attitude. One might speak of einem echten Wiener (a real Viennese) or einer typischen Wienerin (a typical Viennese woman).
• Die Wiener (sausages): Clearly in a culinary context. You order ein Paar Wiener (a pair of Viennese sausages) or buy Wiener für die Party (Viennese sausages for the party). They are a popular fast food. ⚠️ In Austria itself, they are often called "Frankfurter", while "Wiener" is more common in Germany. This regional difference can lead to confusion!

In comparison to other words:

• Wienerisch: Refers to the dialect spoken in Vienna or things typical of Vienna (e.g., die wienerische Küche - Viennese cuisine). Not to be confused with der Wiener (the person).
• Wiener Schnitzel: A famous dish that, while having "Wiener" in its name, is a veal cutlet and has nothing to do with the sausages.

🧠 Remembering 'Wiener': Clever Tricks

Here are a couple of mnemonics to help you remember the articles and meanings of "Wiener":

For the articles and genders:

Der Mann (the man) from Wien is der Wiener, clear and true.
Die Frau (the woman) from Wien, elegant and new, is often die Wiener too.
And for a tasty bite, it's die (plural) Wiener (sausages) for me and you!

For the meanings:

Think of St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) and Sisi's palace – that's where der Wiener (man/woman) lives with grace.
Think of the sausage stand (Würstelstand), so hot and fresh – that's where you'll find die Wiener (sausages) on your dish.

↔️ 'Wiener': Word Connections and Opposites

For "der Wiener" / "die Wiener" (person from Vienna):

• Synonyms:
  • Bewohner/in Wiens (inhabitant of Vienna)
  • Bürger/in Wiens (citizen of Vienna)
  • (colloquial) Echt-Wiener/in (a 'real' Viennese, to emphasize authenticity)
• Antonyms:
  • Nicht-Wiener/in (non-Viennese)
  • Auswärtige/r (outsider, in relation to Vienna)
  • Provinzler/in (provincial, sometimes used derogatorily by Viennese for people from rural areas)

For "die Wiener" (sausages):

• Synonyms:
  • Wiener Würstchen (Viennese little sausages)
  • Frankfurter (Würstchen) (especially in Austria itself and parts of Southern Germany)
  • Saitenwurst (regionally in Swabia, similar type of sausage)
• Antonyms (in the sense of alternatives):
  • Bratwurst (frying sausage)
  • Debreziner (a type of pork sausage)
  • Vegetarische/Vegane Würstchen (vegetarian/vegan sausages)

⚠️ Similar but misleading words:

• Wienerisch: The Viennese dialect or manner, not a person or sausage.
• Wienerin: Explicitly the feminine form for a female inhabitant of Vienna. Die Wiener can also mean a woman, but die Wienerin is more specific.

😂 A Viennese Chuckle

German:

Ein Bayer sitzt im Wiener Kaffeehaus und bestellt: "Einen Kaffee, bitte!"
Der Oberkellner, ein typischer Wiener Grantler, fragt zurück: "An klanen Braunen, an Verlängerten, an Mokka, an Einspänner, an Fiaker, an Kapuziner, an Franziskaner, a Melange...? Wos deafs denn sein, bittschön?"
Der Bayer, etwas überfordert: "Passt scho, bringen S' mir halt a Bier!"

English Translation:

A Bavarian is sitting in a Viennese coffee house and orders: "A coffee, please!"
The head waiter, a typical grumpy Viennese, asks back: "A small black with a dash of milk, a long black, a mocha, an Einspänner (black coffee with whipped cream), a Fiaker (strong black coffee with rum or brandy), a Kapuziner (black coffee with a dollop of cream), a Franziskaner (similar to Melange but with whipped cream), a Melange (coffee with frothy milk)...? What can it be for you, please?"
The Bavarian, somewhat overwhelmed: "Alright, just bring me a beer then!"

📜 'Wiener' in Verse: A Little Poem

German:

Der Wiener stolz, mit Schmäh und Witz,
durch seine Stadt, ein heller Blitz.
Die Dame elegant, auch sie ist's wert,
dass man sie als die Wiener ehrt.
Und dann am Stand, so heiß und fein,
die Wiener Würstchen, dürfen's sein?
Ein Name, der so vieles eint,
in Österreich daheim, wie's scheint.

English Translation:

The Viennese man, proud, with charm and wit,
Through his city, a shining bit.
The lady elegant, she too is worth,
That as die Wiener she's honored on Earth.
And then at the stand, so hot and fine,
Die Wiener sausages, shall they be thine?
A name that unites so many a thing,
At home in Austria, it seems to ring.

🕵️‍♀️ The Tricky 'Wiener' Riddle

German:

Ich bin ein Mann aus Österreichs Herz,
voller Charme und manchmal Scherz.
Ich bin 'ne Dame, elegant und klug,
aus derselben Stadt, Zug um Zug.
Ich bin auch lecker, kurz und rund,
serviert mit Senf zu jeder Stund'.

Was bin ich wohl, sag's ohne Zier,
mal mit 'der', mal mit 'die' steh ich hier?

English Translation:

I am a man from Austria's heart,
Full of charm and sometimes a smart jest.
I am a lady, elegant and bright,
From the same city, by day and by night.
I am also tasty, short and round,
Served with mustard, always profound.

What am I, tell me without disguise,
Sometimes with 'der', sometimes with 'die' I arise?

Answer: Der Wiener (the Viennese man), die Wiener (the Viennese woman), die Wiener (the Viennese sausages)

🌐 Beyond the Basics: More on 'Wiener'

• Etymology: The word "Wiener" is directly derived from the city name "Wien" (Vienna). The suffix "-er" is used to denote origin or belonging (similar to "Berliner" from "Berlin").
• Cultural Significance: "Der Wiener" is often associated with certain cultural attributes, such as the "Wiener Schmäh" (a special kind of charm and humor), a love for coffee house culture, and a certain art of living.
• Famous "Wiener": Numerous famous personalities were Viennese, e.g., Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, Falco.
• Wiener Walzer (Viennese Waltz): A world-famous dance closely associated with the city of Vienna and its culture.
• Wiener Schnitzel: Although it has "Wiener" in its name, it is a dish (veal cutlet) and not a person or sausage. However, it is a symbol of Viennese cuisine.