die
Fußgängerin
🚶♀️ What exactly is a Fußgängerin?
The German word die Fußgängerin refers to a female person who is walking, especially in the context of traffic. It is the feminine counterpart to der Fußgänger (the male pedestrian).
The word is composed of „Fuß“ (foot) and „Gängerin“ (female form of „Gänger“, someone who goes/walks).
- Meaning: Female person who walks / is on foot.
- Article: Always die, because it refers to a female person (derived with the suffix -in).
🚨 Attention: Don't confuse it with a Spaziergängerin (female stroller), who is usually walking for pleasure, while a Fußgängerin is often purposefully moving within traffic.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Women → almost always feminine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-in → mostly feminine.
All persons and professions ending in -in are feminine. Other -in nouns can be der/die/das.
Grammar Check for die Fußgängerin
The word „die Fußgängerin“ is a feminine noun. The plural form ends in „-nen“.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Fußgängerin |
| Genitive | der | Fußgängerin |
| Dative | der | Fußgängerin |
| Accusative | die | Fußgängerin |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Fußgängerinnen |
| Genitive | der | Fußgängerinnen |
| Dative | den | Fußgängerinnen |
| Accusative | die | Fußgängerinnen |
Example Sentences
- Die Fußgängerin wartete an der Ampel. (The female pedestrian waited at the traffic light.)
- Der Autofahrer musste wegen der Fußgängerin bremsen. (The car driver had to brake because of the female pedestrian.)
- Wir sprachen mit der Fußgängerin über den neuen Zebrastreifen. (We spoke with the female pedestrian about the new zebra crossing.)
- Viele Fußgängerinnen nutzten heute den sonnigen Nachmittag für einen Spaziergang. (Many female pedestrians used the sunny afternoon today for a walk.)
On the Move as a Fußgängerin: When to Use It?
The term Fußgängerin is primarily used in the context of road traffic (Straßenverkehr). People talk about *Fußgängerinnen* when discussing traffic rules, safety in traffic, sidewalks (Fußwege), zebra crossings (Zebrastreifen), or pedestrian zones (Fußgängerzonen).
- Typical situations: When crossing the street, on the sidewalk, in a pedestrian zone.
- Distinction: A Spaziergängerin (female stroller/walker) walks more leisurely and for recreation, often in parks or nature. A Wanderin (female hiker) is usually sporty and walks longer distances in nature. A Passantin is a female passer-by.
- Formal context: In official communications or reports (e.g., police, city planning), the term is used neutrally.
Example: "Die neue Verkehrsführung soll die Sicherheit für Fußgängerinnen und Radfahrerinnen erhöhen." (The new traffic routing is intended to increase safety for female pedestrians and female cyclists.)
Memory Aids for "die Fußgängerin" 🧠
-
Mnemonic for the Article:
Most feminine nouns referring to people end in -in and always take the article die. Think of: die Lehrerin (female teacher), die Ärztin (female doctor), die Fußgängerin. The woman on the sidewalk is THE one walking.
-
Mnemonic for the Meaning:
She uses her Fuß (foot) and is a Gängerin (female person who goes/walks). A Fuß-Gängerin goes on foot.
Similar yet Different: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Passantin: A female person passing by coincidentally (can be a Fußgängerin, but emphasizes the temporary aspect).
- Geherin: Technically correct, but less common than Fußgängerin in the traffic context. More likely used in sports (race walking).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Autofahrerin: Female car driver.
- Radfahrerin: Female cyclist.
- Fahrerin: General term for a female driver of a vehicle.
⚠️ Caution: A Spaziergängerin (female stroller) is not a direct antonym, but describes a different type of walking (leisure rather than traffic participation).
A Little Joke 😄
Warum überquerte die Fußgängerin die Straße nur bei Grün?
Damit sie nicht unter die Räder kommt und ihre schönen Schuhe schmutzig werden! 😉
(Why did the female pedestrian only cross the street when the light was green? — So she wouldn't get run over and get her nice shoes dirty!)
Poem about a Fußgängerin
Auf dem Weg, mit festem Schritt,
geht die Fußgängerin mit.
Links und rechts, der Blick gewandt,
durch die Stadt, durchs ganze Land.
Sie achtet auf das Ampellicht,
vergisst die Vorsicht niemals nicht.
Ob Sonne, Regen oder Wind,
sie geht dahin, geschwind, geschwind.
(On the path, with a firm step,
the female pedestrian walks along.
Left and right, her gaze turned,
through the city, through the whole land.)
(She pays attention to the traffic light,
never forgets caution.
Whether sun, rain, or wind,
she goes along, quickly, quickly.)
Who am I? A Riddle 🤔
Ich habe keinen Motor, keine Räder, kein Benzin,
doch im Verkehr bin ich oft mittendrin.
Ich nutze Zebrastreifen und den Bürgersteig,
bin weiblich und bewege mich ohne Fahrzeug sogleich.
Wer bin ich?
(I have no engine, no wheels, no gasoline,
but in traffic, I am often right in the middle.
I use zebra crossings and the sidewalk,
I am female and move without a vehicle right away.)
(Who am I?)
Solution: die Fußgängerin (the female pedestrian)
Other Interesting Details 🧐
Word Composition
The word Fußgängerin is a compound word with a suffix:
- Fuß: foot
- Gänger: person who goes/walks (derived from 'gehen' - to go/walk).
- -in: suffix to form the feminine version.
Related Terms
- Fußgängerzone: Pedestrian zone (area in cities accessible only to pedestrians).
- Fußgängerampel: Pedestrian traffic light.
- Fußgängerüberweg (Zebrastreifen): Pedestrian crossing (marked area for safely crossing the street).
- Fußgängertunnel/Fußgängerbrücke: Pedestrian tunnel/bridge (structures for crossing roads or obstacles).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Fußgängerin?
The word "Fußgängerin" is a feminine noun. The correct article is always die: die Fußgängerin.