der  Wuppertaler

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvʊpɐtaːlɐ/

🤔 What exactly is a Wuppertaler?

The word Wuppertaler primarily has two meanings:

1. Noun (der Wuppertaler): Refers to a male person who lives in or was born in the city of Wuppertal. The female form is 'die Wuppertalerin'.
2. Adjective (Wuppertaler): Refers to the city of Wuppertal. This adjective is not declined (invariable) and often capitalized because it is derived from a proper noun. It means 'from Wuppertal' or 'belonging to Wuppertal'. Examples: die Wuppertaler Schwebebahn (the Wuppertal suspension railway), Wuppertaler Unternehmen (Wuppertal companies).

🚨 Note: When referring to the inhabitants in general (men and women), 'die Wuppertaler' (plural) is often used.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Der Wuppertaler in Detail

As a noun, 'der Wuppertaler' is declined as follows (weak n-declension):

Adjectival Use:

The adjective 'Wuppertaler' remains unchanged, regardless of the case, gender, or number of the following noun. It is often capitalized.

• Der berühmte Wuppertaler Zoo. (The famous Wuppertal Zoo.)
• Wir besuchten eine Wuppertaler Ausstellung. (We visited a Wuppertal exhibition.)
• Das sind typische Wuppertaler Spezialitäten. (These are typical Wuppertal specialities.)

Example Sentences

1. Der Wuppertaler stieg in die Schwebebahn ein.
   (The man from Wuppertal got onto the suspension railway.)
2. Ich sprach mit einem netten Wuppertaler.
   (I spoke with a nice man from Wuppertal.)
3. Viele Wuppertaler lieben ihre Stadt.
   (Many people from Wuppertal love their city.)
4. Die Wuppertaler Schwebebahn ist weltbekannt.
   (The Wuppertal suspension railway is world-famous.)
5. Das Wuppertaler Tanztheater Pina Bausch hat internationale Anerkennung.
   (The Wuppertal dance theatre Pina Bausch has international recognition.)

🏢 When to use Wuppertaler?

The word 'Wuppertaler' is used to:

• Refer to a male person from Wuppertal (der Wuppertaler).
• Refer to the inhabitants of Wuppertal in the plural (die Wuppertaler).
• Describe things, places, or institutions related to Wuppertal (das Wuppertaler Rathaus - the Wuppertal town hall, Wuppertaler Senf - Wuppertal mustard). In this function as an adjective, it remains unchanged.

It's a common term in regional and national German usage, especially when talking about the city, its inhabitants, or its famous landmarks like the Schwebebahn (suspension railway).

Comparison: Similar to 'Berliner' (from Berlin), 'Hamburger' (from Hamburg), or 'Kölner' (from Cologne), 'Wuppertaler' is used both as a noun (inhabitant) and as an adjective (belonging to).

💡 Mnemonics

Remembering the article (der): Think of 'der dude' from Wuppertal. For male persons, you need 'der'.

Remembering the meaning: Imagine someone living in the valley (Tal) of the river Wupper – a Wupper-tal-er. Or think of the famous suspension railway (Schwebebahn) floating through the valley – typical for a Wuppertaler!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Frage: Warum nehmen Wuppertaler nie den Aufzug?
Antwort: Weil sie lieber schweben! 😉

(Question: Why do people from Wuppertal never take the elevator?
Answer: Because they prefer to float/hover! 😉 - An allusion to the famous Schwebebahn / suspension railway)

📜 Poem about the Wuppertaler

Im Tal der Wupper, stolz und heiter,
lebt der Wuppertaler, stets ein Streiter
für seine Stadt, ob Regen oder Wind,
wo die Schwebebahn die Richtung find't.
Er kennt die Hügel, jede Straßeneck',
trägt Wuppertal im Herzen, im Gepäck.

(In the Wupper valley, proud and cheerful,
lives the man from Wuppertal, always a fighter
for his city, whether rain or wind,
where the suspension railway finds its way.
He knows the hills, every street corner,
carries Wuppertal in his heart, in his luggage.)

❓ Riddle

Ich komme aus der Stadt, die für ihr schwebendes Gefährt bekannt ist.
Mein Name sagt dir, wo mein Zuhause ist.
Männlich bin ich, wie mein Artikel verrät.

Wer bin ich?

(I come from the city known for its floating vehicle.
My name tells you where my home is.
I am male, as my article reveals.

Who am I?)

Solution: der Wuppertaler

➕ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Wuppertaler' is derived from the city name 'Wuppertal' by adding the suffix '-er'. This suffix is commonly used in German to form demonyms (names for inhabitants, e.g., Berlin -> Berliner) or adjectives indicating origin or belonging (e.g., Schweiz -> Schweizer Käse - Swiss cheese).

Trivia:

• Wuppertal is located in the Bergisches Land region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• The city is world-famous for its Schwebebahn, a unique suspension railway system operating since 1901.
• Wuppertal is also known for the Tanztheater Pina Bausch (Pina Bausch Dance Theatre).