die
Männerdomäne
🤔 What exactly is a Männerdomäne?
Die Männerdomäne (feminine noun) refers to an area, a professional field, an activity, or a field of knowledge that is traditionally or predominantly practiced, dominated, or controlled by men. The term is often used in the context of discussions about gender equality and the loosening of traditional role models.
It often implies that women are underrepresented or face obstacles in this area. The word itself is a compound of 'Männer' (men) and 'Domäne' (domain, realm).
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 Spotlight: die Männerdomäne
The word 'Männerdomäne' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always 'die'.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Männerdomäne |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Männerdomäne |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Männerdomäne |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Männerdomäne |
Declension Plural
The plural is 'die Männerdomänen'. It's used when talking about multiple such domains.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Männerdomänen |
| Genitive | der | Männerdomänen |
| Dative | den | Männerdomänen |
| Accusative | die | Männerdomänen |
Examples
- Die IT-Branche gilt oft noch als Männerdomäne.
(The IT industry is often still considered a male domain.) - Sie kämpft darum, sich in dieser technischen Männerdomäne durchzusetzen.
(She fights to assert herself in this technical male domain.) - Viele traditionelle Handwerksberufe waren lange Zeit reine Männerdomänen.
(Many traditional crafts were purely male domains for a long time.)
🗣️ How to use 'Männerdomäne'?
The term 'Männerdomäne' is frequently used in social, political, and economic discussions, especially concerning topics like gender equality (Gleichstellung der Geschlechter), equal opportunities in employment (Chancengleichheit im Beruf), or stereotypes (Stereotypen).
- It describes situations where men are clearly in the majority or where the culture of an area is strongly male-dominated (e.g., certain engineering fields, the military, top management positions).
- Its use can be descriptive, but it often carries a critical connotation, pointing to inequality or barriers for women.
- One might speak of women 'breaking into' (einbrechen) or 'entering' (eindringen) a Männerdomäne when they begin to establish themselves in these fields.
Compared to more neutral terms like 'männlich dominierter Bereich' (male-dominated area), 'Männerdomäne' often has a stronger, sometimes slightly combative or critical nuance.
💡 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
How to remember the article and meaning of 'die Männerdomäne'?
Article 'die': Think of 'die Domäne' (the domain). The word 'Domäne' is feminine in German, and it stays that way even with 'Männer' (men) in front. Men might conquer the domain, but grammatically it remains feminine: die Domäne.
Meaning: Imagine a vast domain (a large area or castle) with a sign on the gate:
Entry for Men Only!That's a Männerdomäne – an area primarily for men.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with prefixes like 'Herren-' (gentlemen's), which often refer to style or clothing (e.g., Herrenmode - men's fashion).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum ist der Werkzeugkasten oft eine Männerdomäne?
Weil Frauen wissen, dass man den wichtigsten Nagel (den fürs Bild) sowieso nie findet und lieber gleich einen neuen kauft! 😉
Why is the toolbox often a male domain?
Because women know you'll never find the most important nail (the one for the picture) anyway and prefer to just buy a new one! 😉
✍️ Poem about Männerdomäne
Wo Stahl und Code und Zahlen regieren,
wo schwere Maschinen funktionieren,
da sagt man schnell, mit ernster Miene:
Das ist 'ne echte Männerdomäne.
Doch Zeiten ändern sich, das ist klar,
Talent kennt kein Geschlecht, wunderbar!
So mancher 'Männer-Herrschaftsbereich'
wird bunter nun – und das ist gut, sogleich!
Where steel and code and numbers reign,
Where heavy machines work again,
There people say, with serious face:
That's a real male domain, this place.
But times are changing, that is clear,
Talent knows no gender, hold it dear!
Many a 'realm of men's control'
Becomes more diverse now – good for the soul!
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Reich, doch ohne König,
von einem Geschlecht bestimmt, nicht wenig.
Die Technik, das Handwerk, manchmal die Macht,
sind oft in meiner Hand über Nacht.
Man spricht von mir, wenn Gleichheit fehlt im Spiel.
Was bin ich?(Lösung: die Männerdomäne)
I am a realm, but have no king,
Defined by one gender, the power they bring.
Technology, crafts, sometimes the might,
Are often held in my hand overnight.
People mention me when equality's not the aim.
What am I?
(Solution: the Männerdomäne / male domain)
🌐 Further Insights
Word Composition
The word 'Männerdomäne' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Männer: Plural of Mann (man).
- Domäne: From French 'domaine', originally from Latin 'dominium' (rule, ownership). Means domain, realm, or sphere/field of expertise.
Thus, the composition literally means a 'domain of men' or 'men's sphere of control'.
Historical Context
The term gained prominence with the feminist movement and discussions about gender equality in the 20th and 21st centuries. It highlighted professions and societal areas that were long closed off to women or where they remain significantly underrepresented.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Männerdomäne?
The correct article for Männerdomäne is die. It is a feminine noun (derived from die Domäne) and refers to a field, profession, or area traditionally or predominantly controlled by men.