die / der  Allererste

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔaləʁˌʔeːɐ̯stə/

🥇 What does 'Allererste' mean?

'Allererste' is a nominalized form of the superlative adjective 'allererst'. It means 'the very first' or 'the first of all'. The form depends on the gender (Genus) of the noun it refers to, even if that noun isn't explicitly mentioned.

• der Allererste: Refers to a male person or a masculine noun. (Example: Er war der Allererste im Ziel. - He was the very first at the finish line.)
• die Allererste: Refers to a female person or a feminine noun. (Example: Sie war die Allererste, die es schaffte. - She was the very first one who managed it.)

The prefix 'aller-' serves to intensify the superlative 'erste' (first). It emphasizes the uniqueness or the highest degree of being first.

⚠️ Attention: 'Allererste' is treated like a noun (capitalized) when nominalized, i.e., when it refers to a person or thing designated as 'die/der Allererste'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Allererste in Detail

'Allererste' is the declined (inflected) form of the nominalized adjective 'allererst'. Since it's used here with the definite articles 'der' and 'die', it follows the weak adjective declension (schwache Adjektivdeklination).

Declension 'der Allererste' (Masculine)

Declension 'die Allererste' (Feminine)

Note: Strictly speaking, there's no plural for this specific nominalized form ('the one'). Instead, one would use 'die Allerersten', which refers to multiple people/things (the very first ones).

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Der Allererste, der die Frage beantwortete, bekam einen Preis.
   (The very first one who answered the question got a prize.)
2. Wir gratulierten dem Allerersten im Rennen zu seinem Sieg.
   (We congratulated the very first one in the race on his victory.)
3. Sie war die Allererste Frau in dieser Position.
   (She was the very first woman in this position.)
4. Die Ehre gebührt der Allerersten Pionierin auf diesem Gebiet.
   (The honor belongs to the very first female pioneer in this field.)

🚀 When to use 'Allererste'?

'Allererste' is used to place special emphasis on the position as number one. It's stronger than just 'erste' (first).

• Emphasizing Uniqueness: When someone or something should be highlighted not just as first, but as the absolute first or the first ever.
• Context: Often used in competitions, for pioneering achievements, historical events, or simply for emotional emphasis.
• Difference from 'Erste': While 'der/die Erste' simply indicates the order, 'der/die Allererste' adds a component of exclusivity or superlative emphasis.

Example: Neil Armstrong war nicht nur der erste, sondern der allererste Mensch auf dem Mond. (Neil Armstrong was not just the first, but the very first man on the moon.)

💡 Mnemonics

For the meaning: Think of "All the others came later, he/she was the Erste (first)" -> Allererste (the very first).

For the articles: Like many nominalized adjectives, the article depends on the natural gender of the person or the grammatical gender of the (often omitted) noun. Think: Der Mann (the man) is der Allererste. Die Frau (the woman) is die Allererste.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

Frage: Wer war der allererste Programmierer?

Antwort: Adam. Er hatte ein Apple, aber mit sehr begrenztem RAM und nur einer Eva als Backup! 😉

Translation:
Question: Who was the very first programmer?
Answer: Adam. He had an Apple, but with very limited RAM and only one Eve as a backup! 😉

📜 Little Poem

Im Rennen schnell, kein Halten mehr,
kommt er als Sieger stolz daher.
Nicht nur der Erste, nein, viel mehr,
er ist der Allererste, bitte sehr!

Auch sie im Feld, mit Mut und Kraft,
hat als Pionierin was geschafft.
Man nennt sie, weil sie's als Erste macht,
die Allererste – wohlbedacht!

Translation:
In the race so fast, no stopping anymore,
he arrives as the winner, proud therefore.
Not just the first, oh no, much more,
he is the very first, if you please, for sure!

She too in the field, with courage and might,
as a pioneer achieved something bright.
They call her, because she did it first, alright,
the very first one – considered right!

❓ Riddle Time

Ich stehe ganz vorn, vor allen im Land,
ob Mann oder Frau, das ist bekannt.
Das Präfix 'aller-' betont meine Position,
wer bin ich? Finde die Lösung nun schon!

Translation:
I stand right at the front, before all in the land,
Whether man or woman, that's understood and planned.
The prefix 'aller-' emphasizes my position,
Who am I? Find the solution to this mission!

Solution: der Allererste / die Allererste (the very first one - masc./fem.)

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

'Allererste' is formed by combining the intensifying particle 'aller-' with the superlative of the adjective 'erst' (first), which is 'erste'. The prefix 'aller-' is used in German to intensify superlatives (e.g., allerbeste - the very best, allerschönste - the very prettiest, allerkleinste - the very smallest).

Nominalization (Substantivierung):

Like many adjectives, 'allererst' can be nominalized, meaning it's used like a noun and capitalized. The article ('der' or 'die') then indicates the gender.