die
Kellnerin
🍽️ What does die Kellnerin mean?
The German word die Kellnerin (feminine noun, plural: die Kellnerinnen) refers to a woman whose job is to serve guests in a restaurant, café, bar, or similar establishment. She takes orders, serves food and drinks, and handles the bill. In English, this translates to 'waitress'.
It is the female form of the word der Kellner (waiter).
Because the word ends in -in and refers to a female person, the article is always die. There are no exceptions or potential confusions regarding the article here.
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 of 'die Kellnerin' in Detail
The noun „Kellnerin“ is feminine. The article is „die“. It is declined as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kellnerin |
| Genitive | der | Kellnerin |
| Dative | der | Kellnerin |
| Accusative | die | Kellnerin |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kellnerinnen |
| Genitive | der | Kellnerinnen |
| Dative | den | Kellnerinnen |
| Accusative | die | Kellnerinnen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Kellnerin brachte uns freundlich die Speisekarte. (The waitress kindly brought us the menu.)
- Wir gaben der Kellnerin ein großzügiges Trinkgeld. (We gave the waitress a generous tip.)
- Kannst du bitte die Kellnerin rufen? (Can you please call the waitress?)
- Die Aufgaben der Kellnerin sind vielfältig. (The duties of the waitress are diverse.)
- Im Restaurant arbeiteten mehrere Kellnerinnen. (Several waitresses worked in the restaurant.)
🗣️ How to use Kellnerin?
The word „Kellnerin“ is commonly used in everyday German when talking about female service staff in the hospitality industry. It's a neutral and standard job title.
- Typical Contexts: In restaurants, cafés, when describing professions, in job advertisements.
- Politeness: Addressing a waitress as „Fräulein“ was common in the past, but is now considered outdated and often inappropriate. Address a waitress politely directly or use phrases like „Entschuldigung“ (Excuse me) or „Könnten Sie bitte...“ (Could you please...). Sometimes „Frau Ober“ is used, but this is rather formal and a bit old-fashioned.
- Differentiation: „Bedienung“ is a more general term for service staff (male or female) but is often used synonymously with Kellnerin when it's clear a woman is meant. „Serviererin“ is another synonym.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: Feminine job titles in German often end in
-in(like Lehrerin, Ärztin, Verkäuferin...). This is a strong indicator for the article die. Just think: The ending-inpoints to a female – so it's die Kellnerin.
Remembering the Meaning: Imagine 'die' nice lady (the waitress) coming from the 'Keller' (cellar), where drinks are stored. She 'kellnert' (waits tables). Or simply remember it's the female form of 'Kellner' (waiter).
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- die Bedienung: A more general term for service staff, but can be used synonymously for Kellnerin.
- die Serviererin: A direct synonym, emphasizing the act of serving.
- die Servicekraft: A neutral, modern umbrella term for service personnel (m/f/d).
😂 A Little Joke
Guest asks the waitress: „Haben Sie Froschschenkel?“
Waitress replies: „Nein, ich laufe immer so!“
Translation:
Guest: "Do you have frog legs?"
Waitress: "No, I always walk like this!" (A pun, as 'legs' can mean both the food and how someone walks).
📜 Poem about the Kellnerin
Mit flinkem Schritt und Lächeln klar,
bringt die Kellnerin, was man bestellt hat, dar.
Tablett voll Gläser, Teller schwer,
sie eilt geschäftig hin und her.
Hört zu, notiert mit wachem Sinn,
so ist sie eben: die Kellnerin.
Translation:
With nimble step and smile so clear,
the waitress brings what one ordered here.
Tray full of glasses, plates with weight,
she hurries busy, doesn't wait.
Listens, notes with senses keen,
that's just her way: the waitress queen.
❓ Riddle
Ich trage Tabletts, mal groß, mal klein,
schenk' Kaffee, Wasser oder Wein.
In Schürze oft, im Restaurant,
bedien' ich Frauen und auch Mann'.
Ich bin die Frau in diesem Job, wer bin ich flott?
Translation:
I carry trays, some big, some small,
Pour coffee, water, or wine for all.
Often in an apron, in a dining place,
I serve both women and the male race.
I am the woman in this occupation, who am I in this nation?
Solution: Die Kellnerin (The waitress)
ℹ️ Trivia / Word Formation
- Word Formation: The word „Kellnerin“ is derived from the masculine word „Kellner“ by adding the feminine suffix „-in“. This process is called 'Movierung' in German linguistics.
- Origin: „Kellner“ originally derives from the word „Keller“ (cellar), as historically, the servant responsible for beverages (especially wine) was the „Kellermeister“ (cellar master) or simply „Kellner“.
- Job Profile: The profession of a Kellnerin requires not only serving skills but also friendliness, resilience to stress, and good communication abilities.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kellnerin?
The German word "Kellnerin" is feminine, so the correct article is always die. You say: die Kellnerin (nominative/accusative singular), der Kellnerin (genitive/dative singular), and die Kellnerinnen (nominative/accusative plural).