der  Wirt

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/vɪʁt/

🍻 What exactly is a Wirt?

The German word der Wirt has several meanings, mostly related to hospitality or running an establishment:

• Innkeeper/Publican/Landlord: This is the most common meaning. A Wirt is the operator or owner of a pub, inn, tavern, or restaurant. He is responsible for the operation and often for serving the guests. Example: Der Wirt zapft ein frisches Bier. (The innkeeper taps a fresh beer.)
• Host: In a broader sense, der Wirt can also refer to a person who invites guests to their home or an event and provides hospitality. Example: Er war ein großzügiger Wirt und sorgte dafür, dass sich alle wohlfühlten. (He was a generous host and made sure everyone felt comfortable.)
• Host Organism (Biology/Medicine): In a biological or medical context, der Wirt refers to an organism (animal, plant, human) that harbours another organism (e.g., a parasite or symbiont). Example: Der Mensch ist der Wirt für viele Bakterien. (Humans are hosts to many bacteria.) (This meaning is more specific and less common in everyday language).

🚨 The female form is die Wirtin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Der Wirt in Detail

The noun der Wirt is masculine. Its plural declension usually follows the weak (n-)declension, but sometimes also the strong declension.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural is die Wirte. It follows the n-declension pattern.

📝 Example Sentences

• Der Wirt begrüßte seine Gäste freundlich. (The host greeted his guests friendly.)
• Das Gasthaus gehört dem alten Wirt. (The inn belongs to the old innkeeper.)
• Wir trafen den Wirt an der Theke. (We met the innkeeper at the counter.)
• Die Speisekarte des Wirtes war sehr umfangreich. (The innkeeper's menu was very extensive.)
• Viele Wirte in der Stadt beklagen sich über die hohen Steuern. (Many innkeepers in the city complain about the high taxes.)
• Wir haben mit den Wirten über die Öffnungszeiten gesprochen. (We talked to the innkeepers about the opening hours.)

🗣️ How to use "Wirt"?

• In a Pub/Restaurant: When talking about the person running or serving in the establishment, der Wirt (or die Wirtin for female) is the correct term. "Frag mal den Wirt, ob der Tisch frei ist." (Ask the innkeeper if the table is free.)
• As a Host: When someone receives and entertains guests, they can be called a Wirt, even in a private setting. However, Gastgeber (host) is often more common and neutral here. "Er erwies sich als guter Wirt." (He proved to be a good host.)
• Biology/Medicine: Relevant only in a scientific context when discussing parasites, symbionts, etc. "Der Floh sucht sich einen neuen Wirt." (The flea looks for a new host.)
• Distinction from "Gastgeber": While Wirt often emphasizes the commercial aspect (innkeeper), Gastgeber is more general and refers to anyone who has guests, whether privately or commercially. So, a Wirt is always a Gastgeber, but not every Gastgeber is a Wirt (in the sense of an innkeeper).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Wirt"

For the article: Think of the masculine role: Der Mann, der boss of the house (or pub) is der Wirt.

For the meaning: Imagine the Wirt is someone who brings you things with great **worth** (like good food and drink). The German verb for hosting/serving is 'bewirten', which contains 'Wirt'.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Wirtschaft (die): Refers either to the economy or to a pub/inn itself. ("Wir gehen in die Wirtschaft." - We're going to the pub.)
• Bewirten (verb): The act of hosting/serving guests with food and drink.

😂 A little Joke

German:
Fragt der Gast den Wirt: "Haben Sie Froschschenkel?"
Sagt der Wirt: "Nein, so laufe ich immer!"

English Translation:
A guest asks the innkeeper: "Do you have frog legs?"
The innkeeper replies: "No, I always walk like this!"

📜 Poem about the Wirt

German:
Der Wirt, ein Mann mit Schürze an,
steht hinterm Tresen, neben dem Hahn.
Er zapft das Bier mit frohem Mut,
ein kühler Trunk, der allen guttut.
Er hört die Sorgen, lacht mit dir,
der gute Wirt, drum sind wir hier.

English Translation:
The innkeeper, a man with apron on,
Stands behind the counter, next to the tap.
He taps the beer with cheerful spirit,
A cool drink that does everyone good.
He listens to worries, laughs with you,
The good innkeeper, that's why we are here.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich hab ein Haus, doch wohn' nicht drin allein,
ich schenke aus, mal Bier, mal Wein.
Ich sorge gut für Speis und Trank,
die Gäste danken's mir mit Dank.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I have a house, but don't live in it alone,
I pour drinks, sometimes beer, sometimes wine.
I take good care of food and drink,
The guests thank me with thanks.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Wirt (The innkeeper/host)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

• Female Form: The female equivalent is "die Wirtin".
• Etymology: The word Wirt comes from the Old High German "wirt", which originally meant "value", "husband", "master of the house", or "host". It is related to the word Wert (value) – the Wirt was the one who looked after the well-being (the value) of the house and guests.
• Compounds: There are many compound words, such as Gastwirt (innkeeper), Schankwirt (publican), Wirtshaus (inn/pub), Wirtsleute (innkeeper couple).