die
Journalistin
✍️ What does Journalistin mean?
Die Journalistin refers to a woman who works professionally in journalism. She researches information, writes articles, conducts interviews, or creates reports for various media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, or online platforms.
It is the female form of the word der Journalist (the male journalist). The suffix -in often marks female professional titles in German.
There is only this one article, die, for this word because it clearly refers to a female person.
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 and Declension of Journalistin
The noun die Journalistin is feminine. Here are the declension tables for singular and plural.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | die | Journalistin |
| Genitive (Gen) | der | Journalistin |
| Dative (Dat) | der | Journalistin |
| Accusative (Acc) | die | Journalistin |
Declension Plural
The plural of 'die Journalistin' is 'die Journalistinnen'.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | die | Journalistinnen |
| Genitive (Gen) | der | Journalistinnen |
| Dative (Dat) | den | Journalistinnen |
| Accusative (Acc) | die | Journalistinnen |
Example Sentences
- Die Journalistin schrieb einen spannenden Artikel über die politische Lage.
(The female journalist wrote an exciting article about the political situation.) - Der Preis wurde der Journalistin für ihre herausragende Recherche verliehen.
(The award was given to the female journalist for her outstanding research.) - Wir trafen die Journalistin auf der Pressekonferenz.
(We met the female journalist at the press conference.) - Die Arbeit der Journalistinnen ist oft sehr anspruchsvoll.
(The work of the female journalists is often very demanding.) - Viele Journalistinnen arbeiten heute freiberuflich.
(Many female journalists work freelance today.)
📰 Everyday Usage
The word die Journalistin is used to specifically refer to a woman working in journalism. It's the standard term and is used in all contexts – from formal news reports to informal conversations.
- Typical contexts: Reporting on media, discussing professions (Berufe), introducing people.
- Distinction: While 'Journalist' is the male form, it can sometimes be used generically in certain contexts. However, 'Journalistin' is specifically female and is preferred when talking about a woman to promote gender fairness in language.
- Alternative job titles: Depending on specialization, one might also talk about a Reporterin (female reporter), Redakteurin (female editor), Korrespondentin (female correspondent), or Moderatorin (female presenter), with 'Journalistin' being the general term.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Mnemonic for the Article 'die'
Feminine job titles in German often end in -in, like die Ärztin (female doctor), die Lehrerin (female teacher), die Politikerin (female politician)... and, of course, die Journalistin. The -in ending clearly signals: 'die' is the article!
Mnemonic for the Meaning
Think of a Journal (a magazine or newspaper). A person who writes or researches for it is a Journalist. If this person is female? Then she is die Journalistin.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Reporterin: Often used synonymously, sometimes refers more specifically to on-site reporting.
- Berichterstatterin: Similar to Reporterin, emphasizes the act of reporting.
- Redakteurin: Female editor; edits and takes responsibility for texts/contributions, but can also be journalistically active.
- Publizistin: Female publicist/writer; writes and publishes texts, often opinionated or academic; broader than Journalistin.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Der Journalist: The male form of the profession.
⚠️ Similar but Different Terms
- Autorin: Female author; writes texts (books, articles, etc.), but not necessarily journalistic. Can also write fiction.
- Pressesprecherin: Female press spokesperson; represents the interests of an organization or person to the press, thus not an independent journalist.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt eine Freundin die andere: "Warum trägt die Journalistin immer einen Block und einen Stift bei sich?"
Antwortet die andere: "Damit sie immer bereit ist, wenn die Wahrheit versucht, unerkannt zu entkommen!" 😉
One friend asks another: "Why does the female journalist always carry a notepad and pen?"
The other replies: "So she's always ready when the truth tries to escape unnoticed!" 😉
📜 Poem about the Journalistin
Mit Block und Stift, oft auch digital,
Sucht die Journalistin überall.
Nach Fakten, Storys, groß und klein,
Bringt Licht ins Dunkel, klar und rein.
Sie fragt nach, hakt nach, gibt nicht Ruh',
Hört Politikern und Bürgern zu.
Schreibt Zeilen, die die Welt bewegen,
Auf allen Medien, allen Wegen.
With notepad and pen, often digital too,
Searches the female journalist, through and through.
For facts and stories, large and small,
Brings light to darkness, standing tall.
She questions, probes, doesn't rest,
Listens to politicians and citizens, put to the test.
Writes lines that make the world reflect,
On every channel, showing respect.
🕵️♀️ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich stelle Fragen, schreib' geschwind,
Berichte über das, was alle find'.
Ich suche Wahrheit, Tag für Tag,
Bin weiblich, das ist keine Frag'.
In Zeitung, Funk, im Netz präsent,
Mein männlicher Kollege oft genannt.
Wer bin ich?
Lösung: Die Journalistin
I ask questions, write with speed,
Report on things that all folks read.
I seek the truth, day after day,
I'm female, that's clear in every way.
In papers, radio, online sphere,
My male counterpart's name you often hear.
Who am I?
Solution: Die Journalistin (The female journalist)
💡 More Tidbits
Word Composition: The word 'Journalistin' is composed of the stem 'Journal' (from French, originally meaning 'diary', later 'newspaper') and the suffix '-ist', denoting a person engaged in something or adhering to a certain direction, plus the feminine suffix '-in'.
Famous German-speaking female journalists (Examples):
- Alice Schwarzer (Founder of the magazine EMMA)
- Anne Will (Political talk show host)
- Dunja Hayali (Presenter and journalist)
- Carolin Emcke (Publicist and reporter)
Note: The job title 'Journalistin' is not legally protected in Germany. Theoretically, anyone engaged in journalistic activities can call themselves that, regardless of education or employment status.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Journalistin?
The word "Journalistin" is a feminine job title referring to a female journalist. The correct article is always die: die Journalistin (singular) and die Journalistinnen (plural).