der
Zehnte
📖 What does "der Zehnte" mean?
The word der Zehnte primarily has two meanings:
- Ordinal number (10th): It denotes the position or sequence after the ninth. It is the nominalized masculine form of the ordinal number zehnt. Example: Der zehnte Läufer erreichte das Ziel. (The tenth runner reached the finish line.) It often implicitly refers to a day: Der Zehnte (Mai) ist mein Geburtstag. (The tenth (of May) is my birthday.)
- Historical levy (the tithe): In the past, der Zehnte referred to a levy, usually one-tenth of the harvest or income, which had to be paid to the church or the landlord (`Grundherr`). Example: Die Bauern mussten den Zehnten abliefern. (The peasants had to deliver the tithe.)
⚠️ Although the historical levy is often called "der Zehnt", "der Zehnte" is also common in this context.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Der Zehnte
Der Zehnte is the nominalized form of the ordinal number zehnt (*tenth*). When used as a noun with the definite article der, it follows the weak declension (like an adjective after a definite article).
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Zehnte |
| Genitive | des Zehnten |
| Dative | dem Zehnten |
| Accusative | den Zehnten |
| Case | Form |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Zehnten |
| Genitive | der Zehnten |
| Dative | den Zehnten |
| Accusative | die Zehnten |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Zehnte dieses Monats fällt auf einen Dienstag. (The tenth of this month falls on a Tuesday.)
- Er war der Zehnte, der die Prüfung bestand. (He was the tenth person who passed the exam.)
- Die Kirche forderte den Zehnten von den Gläubigen. (The church demanded the tithe from the faithful.)
- Wir feiern am Zehnten. (We celebrate on the tenth. - Dative case)
💡 How to use "der Zehnte"?
- Dates: Very commonly used for the tenth day of a month. Example: Ich habe am Zehnten einen Termin. (I have an appointment on the tenth.)
- Sequences/Rankings: To indicate a position in a sequence. Example: Von allen Bewerbern war er der Zehnte in der Auswahl. (Of all applicants, he was the tenth in the selection.)
- Historical Context: When discussing medieval or early modern levies. Example: Die Abschaffung des Zehnten war eine wichtige soziale Reform. (The abolition of the tithe was an important social reform.)
Distinction: Do not confuse with the cardinal number zehn (10). Der Zehnte indicates position, zehn indicates quantity.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article: Think: "Der Tag (the day) is der zehnte." The masculine word "Tag" helps remember "der".
Meaning (Ordinal): Imagine ten people in a line. The last one is der Zehnte.
Meaning (Tithe): Imagine having to give away den (the accusative masculine article) zehnten (tenth) Euro 💶 of your earnings – that's der Zehnte (the tithe).
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms:
- For ordinal number: 10. (in digits), `Zehnter`
- For levy/tithe: `der Zehnt`, `Zehent`, `Kirchenzehnt` (church tithe), `Dezem` (archaic)
⚠️ Similar Words:
- `Zehn`: The cardinal number (ten), not indicating order.
- `Jahrzehnt`: A decade (a period of ten years).
😄 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat die Zahl 10 Angst vor der 7? Weil 7, 8 (aß), 9! ... Und wer kommt danach und räumt auf? Der Zehnte! 😉
Translation: Why is the number 10 afraid of 7? Because 7, 8 (ate), 9! ... And who comes afterwards to clean up? The tenth! 😉 (Pun: 8, 'acht', sounds like 'aß', the past tense of 'essen' - to eat.)
📜 Poem about The Tenth
German:
Eins, zwei, drei, im Sauseschritt,
Vier, fünf, sechs, wir zählen mit.
Sieben, acht, neun, gleich geschafft,
Der Zehnte kommt mit voller Kraft!
Ob Tag im Jahr, ob Platz im Lauf,
Der Zehnte schließt die Reihe auf.
Translation:
One, two, three, at a run,
Four, five, six, we count along.
Seven, eight, nine, almost done,
The tenth arrives with power strong!
Be it day of year, or place in race,
The tenth completes the ordered space.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich folge neun Geschwistern nach,
Bin oft ein Datum, Tag für Tag.
Früher war ich eine Pflicht,
Ein Teil vom Erntegut, schlicht.
Wer bin ich, sag es mir geschwind,
Als Zahl und Abgabe bekannt beim Kind?
Translation:
I follow nine siblings close behind,
Am often a date, day after day you'll find.
In former times, I was a duty, you see,
A part of the harvest, simply.
Who am I, tell me fast, so bold,
As number and levy, a story told?
Solution: Der Zehnte (The Tenth / The Tithe)
🌐 Other Information
Word Formation: Der Zehnte is a nominalization (substantivization) of the ordinal adjective zehnt (tenth).
Cultural Significance: The number ten holds special significance in many cultures (e.g., the Ten Commandments). The tithe (der Zehnte) played a significant economic and social role in the Middle Ages and early modern period.
Mathematics: In the decimal system, ten is the base. The tenth part of something is 1/10 or 0.1.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Zehnte?
The word 'Zehnte' uses the article 'der' when referring to the masculine form of the ordinal number (e.g., der zehnte Mann - the tenth man), a specific day (der zehnte Mai - the tenth of May), or the historical tithe (der Zehnte). It is a nominalized adjective and declined accordingly.