der  Zeuge

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈt͡sɔʏ̯ɡə/

👁️ What does "der Zeuge" mean?

Der Zeuge is a masculine noun referring to a male person who has observed an event or can testify about certain facts, especially in court. There is also a feminine form: die Zeugin (the female witness).

• Main meaning: Someone who has seen or heard something (e.g., an accident, a crime) and can report on it. Often used in a legal context. (Example: Der Zeuge beschrieb den Täter genau. - The witness described the perpetrator accurately.)
• Other meaning: Someone present at a specific event (e.g., Trauzeuge - witness at a wedding).
• Figurative meaning: Something that serves as proof or evidence for something (rare for the noun itself, more common in the verb zeugen von - to testify to / bear witness to).

🚨 Attention: The word follows the N-declension!

Article rules for der, die, and das

Understanding the Grammar of "der Zeuge"

Der Zeuge is a masculine noun that follows the so-called N-declension (schwache Maskulina or weak masculine nouns). This means it takes an -(e)n ending in all cases except the nominative singular.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

• Der Zeuge konnte sich nicht mehr genau erinnern. (The witness could no longer remember exactly. - Nominative Singular)
• Die Aussage des Zeugen war entscheidend. (The witness's testimony was decisive. - Genitive Singular)
• Das Gericht glaubte dem Zeugen. (The court believed the witness. - Dative Singular)
• Die Polizei befragte den Zeugen noch einmal. (The police questioned the witness again. - Accusative Singular)
• Mehrere Zeugen meldeten sich nach dem Vorfall. (Several witnesses came forward after the incident. - Nominative Plural)

When and How to Use "der Zeuge"

Der Zeuge is primarily used in the following contexts:

• Law/Justice: This is the most common usage. A Zeuge testifies in court, to the police, or to a lawyer. (Example: Der Angeklagte wurde durch die Aussage des Zeugen belastet. - The defendant was incriminated by the witness's statement.)
• Accidents/Incidents: People who observed an accident or another event. (Example: Die Polizei sucht Zeugen des Unfalls. - The police are looking for witnesses to the accident.)
• Ceremonies: At a wedding, there are Trauzeugen (witnesses to the marriage). (Example: Mein Bruder war mein Trauzeuge. - My brother was my best man/witness.)
• History/Reporting: A Zeitzeuge is someone who can report on historical events from personal experience (contemporary witness). (Example: Der Zeitzeuge berichtete über seine Erlebnisse im Krieg. - The contemporary witness reported on his experiences in the war.)

Comparison:

• Beobachter (Observer): A more neutral term for someone watching. A Zeuge is often a Beobachter, but with a more specific role (giving testimony).
• Zuschauer (Spectator): Someone watching a performance, sports event, etc.

Memory Aids for "der Zeuge"

Article 'der': Think of the typical witness (Zeuge) in a crime story – often it's a man (der Mann) who saw something important. Remember: der is the masculine article.

Meaning: Zeuge sounds a bit like the English word 'say-gah'. Imagine the witness needing to *say* what they *saw* ('sah' in German past tense, sounds similar).

N-Declension: Many masculine nouns designating people and ending in '-e' follow the N-declension (der Kunde - customer, der Kollege - colleague, der Junge - boy). Think of the Zeuge needing 'eNergy' (the '-en' ending) to testify!

Similar and Opposite Words

Similar, but potentially misleading words

• Zeugnis: Testimony (the statement itself) or certificate/report card (e.g., Schulzeugnis).
• zeugen: Verb - to testify, to bear witness, to father (a child).

A Little Joke about the Zeuge

German:
Fragt der Richter den Zeugen: "Können Sie sich an das genaue Datum des Vorfalls erinnern?"
Antwortet der Zeuge: "Nein, Herr Richter, ich habe leider keinen Kalender im Kopf."
Richter: "Aber Sie haben doch sicher einen zu Hause?"
Zeuge: "Ja, aber der hängt auch nur rum und sagt nichts!"

English Translation:
The judge asks the witness: "Can you remember the exact date of the incident?"
The witness replies: "No, Your Honor, unfortunately, I don't have a calendar in my head."
Judge: "But surely you have one at home?"
Witness: "Yes, but it just hangs around and doesn't say anything either!"

Poem about the Zeuge

German:
Im Saal, ganz still, der Richter fragt,
der Zeuge spricht, was er gewagt
zu sehen, hören, in jener Nacht,
hat jedes Detail mitgebracht.

Ein Blick, ein Wort, ein leiser Ton,
des Zeugen Aussage ist der Lohn
für Wahrheitssuche, klar und rein,
so soll Gerechtigkeit sein.

English Translation:
In the courtroom, quiet, the judge inquires,
the witness speaks, what he dares
to have seen, heard, on that night,
bringing every detail to light.

A glance, a word, a soft sound's trace,
the witness's testimony is the grace
for the search for truth, clear and pure,
thus justice shall endure.

Who am I? A Riddle

German:
Ich habe Augen, doch sehe nur, was war.
Ich habe Ohren, doch höre nur die Spur.
Ich spreche oft unter Eid,
und helfe dem Recht zur rechten Zeit.

Wer bin ich?

English Translation:
I have eyes, but only see what was.
I have ears, but only hear the trace.
I often speak under oath,
And help justice in timely growth.

Who am I?

Solution: der Zeuge (the witness)

Other Interesting Aspects

• Etymology: The word Zeuge is related to the verb zeugen, which originally meant "to show, point out, prove". The modern meaning "to father a child" developed later.
• Feminine Form: The female equivalent is die Zeugin (plural: die Zeuginnen).
• Compounds: Augenzeuge (eyewitness), Ohrenzeuge (earwitness), Zeitzeuge (contemporary witness), Trauzeuge (wedding witness), Kronzeuge (chief witness for the prosecution).
• Idiom: "Zeuge sein von etwas" - to witness something.