die /
der
Intellektuelle
🧠 What does "Intellektuelle" mean?
The word "Intellektuelle" is the nominalized form of the adjective "intellektuell" (intellectual). It refers to a person primarily engaged with intellectual, scientific, or cultural matters, often expressing their views publicly. It's what's known as a nominalized adjective declension.
Depending on the article and context, it has the following meanings:
- der Intellektuelle: Refers to a male intellectual.
- die Intellektuelle: Refers to a female intellectual.
- die Intellektuellen (Plural): Refers to a group of intellectuals (men, women, or mixed).
🚨 Attention: Since it's a noun derived from an adjective, its declension follows the rules for adjectives (strong, weak, mixed declension), but it is capitalized.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📜 Grammar and Declension of Intellektuelle(r)
"Intellektuelle(r)" is declined like an adjective used as a noun. The ending depends on whether it is preceded by a definite article (weak declension), an indefinite article (mixed declension), or no article (strong declension).
Masculine Declension (der Intellektuelle - the male intellectual)
| Case | Definite Article (Weak) | Indefinite Article (Mixed) | No Article (Strong) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Intellektuelle | ein Intellektueller | Intellektueller |
| Genitive | des Intellektuellen | eines Intellektuellen | Intellektuellen |
| Dative | dem Intellektuellen | einem Intellektuellen | Intellektuellem |
| Accusative | den Intellektuellen | einen Intellektuellen | Intellektuellen |
Feminine Declension (die Intellektuelle - the female intellectual)
| Case | Definite Article (Weak) | Indefinite Article (Mixed) | No Article (Strong) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Intellektuelle | eine Intellektuelle | Intellektuelle |
| Genitive | der Intellektuellen | einer Intellektuellen | Intellektueller |
| Dative | der Intellektuellen | einer Intellektuellen | Intellektueller |
| Accusative | die Intellektuelle | eine Intellektuelle | Intellektuelle |
Plural Declension (die Intellektuellen - the intellectuals)
| Case | Definite Article (Weak) | No Article (Strong) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Intellektuellen | Intellektuelle |
| Genitive | der Intellektuellen | Intellektueller |
| Dative | den Intellektuellen | Intellektuellen |
| Accusative | die Intellektuellen | Intellektuelle |
Examples
- Der Intellektuelle schrieb ein Buch über Philosophie. (The [male] intellectual wrote a book about philosophy.)
- Ich sprach mit einer Intellektuellen über Kunst. (I spoke with a [female] intellectual about art.)
- Die Intellektuellen diskutierten die politischen Ereignisse. (The intellectuals discussed the political events.)
- Das Werk eines Intellektuellen kann die Gesellschaft beeinflussen. (The work of an intellectual can influence society.)
- Man hört oft die Meinungen Intellektueller in den Medien. (One often hears the opinions of intellectuals in the media.)
🗣️ Usage in Context
"Intellektuelle(r)" is used to describe people whose profession or main interest lies in thinking, analysis, culture, or science. The term can be neutral, appreciative, but sometimes also slightly derogatory or ironic, portraying someone as detached or out of touch with reality.
- Typical Contexts: Discussions about politics, society, culture, science, literature, philosophy.
- Refers to: Writers, philosophers, scientists, artists, journalists who critically engage with societal issues.
- Connotation: Can range from high esteem (for intellect and analytical skills) to skepticism (regarding elitism or impracticality).
Comparison: An "Akademiker" (academic) has a university degree but isn't necessarily an "Intellektueller" in the sense of someone providing public intellectual impulses. A "Gelehrter" (scholar) emphasizes deep knowledge in a specific field.
💡 Mnemonics
For the articles: Think of the people: Der Mann (the man) is der Intellektuelle. Die Frau (the woman) is die Intellektuelle. Many people are die Intellektuellen (plural).
For the meaning: Imagine a person deep in Intelligent thoughts who also articulates them – an Intellektuelle(r).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Intellektuelle
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Gelehrte(r): (scholar) emphasizes deep expertise.
- Denker(in): (thinker) emphasizes the mental activity.
- Akademiker(in): (academic) emphasizes university education/scientific background.
- Kopfmensch (coll.): (head person/cerebral person) emphasizes rationality, sometimes slightly negative.
- Bildungsbürger(in): (educated bourgeois) emphasizes belonging to an educated class.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Banause/Banausin: (philistine) person lacking understanding of art/culture.
- Ignorant(in): (ignorant person) person who is willfully or unknowingly unaware.
- Praktiker(in): (practitioner/practical person) person oriented towards practice rather than theory.
- Spießbürger(in) / Spießer(in): (philistine/narrow-minded person) person with a narrow mindset.
Similar but potentially misleading words:
- Intelligent: Adjective, describes an ability, not necessarily a group or role. A person can be intelligent without being an "Intellektuelle(r)".
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Intellektueller den anderen: "Denkst du auch so viel wie ich?" Sagt der andere: "Nein, ich denke nach."
(One intellectual asks another: "Do you also think as much as I do?" The other replies: "No, I think.")
📜 Poem about the Intellectual
Der Geist ist wach, das Wort gewählt,
Der Intellektuelle zählt,
Was in der Welt an Sinn sich regt,
Und kritisch auf die Waage legt.
Die Intellektuelle klar,
Nimmt Denken und Gesellschaft wahr.
Ob Mann, ob Frau, ob Plural dann,
Sie fangen mit dem Denken an.
(The mind is awake, the word well-chosen,
The [male] intellectual counts,
What sense stirs within the world,
And critically weighs it all.)
(The [female] intellectual clearly,
Perceives thought and society.
Whether man, or woman, or plural then,
They start with thinking again.)
🧩 Who am I?
Ich liebe Bücher, tiefes Denken,
Will der Gesellschaft Richtung lenken.
Mal Mann (der), mal Frau (die) im Singular,
Im Plural sind wir (die) eine Schar.
Wer bin ich?
... Ein(e) Intellektuelle(r) / Die Intellektuellen
(I love books, deep thoughts,
Want to steer society's course.
Sometimes a man (der), sometimes a woman (die) in singular,
In plural, we (die) are a crowd by far.
Who am I?
... An intellectual / The intellectuals)
🌐 Further Insights
Word Composition: The word derives from the adjective "intellektuell", which comes from the Latin "intellectualis", related to "intellectus" (understanding, insight). This, in turn, comes from the verb "intellegere" (to understand, perceive, realize).
Cultural Role: Intellektuelle (intellectuals) often play a significant role in public debates and can function as the "conscience of the nation" or critics of power structures. The perception of their role has changed throughout history.
📝 Summary: is it der or die Intellektuelle?
Use der Intellektuelle for a male person, die Intellektuelle for a female person, and die Intellektuellen for the plural (multiple people). It is a nominalized adjective and is declined accordingly.