die
Mutter
💖 What does 'Mutter' mean?
The word die Mutter primarily refers to the female person who has given birth to a child or fulfills the social role of a mother for a child. It's a central word in the context of family.
- Biological Mother: The woman who gave birth to the child (die biologische Mutter).
- Social Mother: A woman raising a child (e.g., Adoptivmutter - adoptive mother, Stiefmutter - stepmother).
- Figurative Meanings:
- Die Schraubenmutter: The nut that fits onto a screw (technical term).
- Die Muttergesellschaft: A parent company within a corporate group (business term).
- Die Urmutter: The female ancestor of a family or species.
🚨 Although there are technical or economic meanings, the most common and primary meaning relates to the family.
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.
Grammar Guide for 'die Mutter' 📚
The noun Mutter is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always die.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Mutter |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Mutter |
| Dative (To/For whom?) | der | Mutter |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Mutter |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Mütter |
| Genitive | der | Mütter |
| Dative | den | Müttern |
| Accusative | die | Mütter |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Die Mutter liest eine Geschichte vor. (The mother is reading a story aloud.)
- Genitive: Das ist das Auto der Mutter. (That is the mother's car.)
- Dative: Ich gebe der Mutter Blumen. (I give flowers to the mother.)
- Accusative: Er besucht die Mutter am Wochenende. (He visits the mother on the weekend.)
- Plural: Viele Mütter trafen sich im Park. (Many mothers met in the park.)
- Technical: Zieh die Mutter fest an! (Tighten the nut! - referring to a screw nut)
Using 'Mutter' in Context 🤔 Everyday Use
Mutter is used in various contexts:
- Family Context: The most frequent use. Talking about one's own mother, someone else's mother, or mothers in general.
- Example: Meine Mutter kocht das beste Essen. (My mother cooks the best food.)
- Example: Wie geht es deiner Mutter? (How is your mother?)
- Form of Address: In the past, addressing one's own mother directly as "Mutter" was more common. Today, "Mama" or "Mutti" are more usual, especially for children and in informal settings. "Mutter" can sound more formal or distant.
- Technical Meaning: In crafts and technology, "die Mutter" refers to the nut that corresponds to a screw.
- Economic Meaning: "Die Muttergesellschaft" or simply "die Mutter" refers to the parent company of a corporate group.
⚠️ Avoid addressing an unfamiliar middle-aged woman simply as "Mutter"; this could be perceived as impolite.
Memory Aids for 'die Mutter' 🧠
Article Mnemonic:
The most important woman in life is often die Mutter - the 'e' at the end of 'die' mirrors the 'e' in 'female' or 'she', helping you remember the feminine article. Think of die Person (the person), which is also feminine, who is always there.
Meaning Mnemonic:
Think of the English word 'Mother' - it sounds very similar to the German Mutter and has the exact same primary meaning. Easy!
Word Relations: Mutter & Co. 🔄
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Similar but Different Terms
- Schwiegermutter: Mother-in-law.
- Stiefmutter: Stepmother.
- Großmutter: Grandmother (Oma).
A Little 'Mutter' Joke 😄
German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist die Mehrzahl von Mutter?" Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Schwiegermutter!"
English Translation: The teacher asks: "What is the plural of mother?" Little Fritz answers: "Mother-in-law!"
A Poem for 'Mutter' 📜
German:
Die Mutter, ein Wort so warm und licht,
Ein sicherer Hafen, ein trautes Gesicht.
Sie hält die Hand, wenn Stürme weh'n,
Lässt Liebe und Hoffnung neu entsteh'n.
In ihren Armen, weich und breit,
Verfliegt die Sorge, schwindet die Zeit.
English Translation:
The mother, a word so warm and bright,
A safe harbor, a familiar sight.
She holds the hand when storms arise,
Lets love and hope newly materialize.
In her arms, soft and wide,
Worries vanish, time does glide.
Who or What Am I? (Mutter Riddle) 🤔
German:
Ich schenke Leben, trockne Tränen,
Erfülle Wünsche, stille Sehnen.
Mal bin ich weich, mal streng geschwind,
Bin immer da für dich, mein Kind.
English Translation:
I give life, I dry tears,
Fulfill wishes, calm fears.
Sometimes I'm soft, sometimes strictly swift,
I'm always there for you, my child, my gift.
(Answer: die Mutter / the mother)
More About 'Mutter' 🤓
Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen):
The word "Mutter" is part of many compound German words:
- Muttersprache: Mother tongue / native language.
- Muttertag: Mother's Day.
- Mutterliebe: A mother's love.
- Mutterkuchen: Placenta (medical).
- Muttermilch: Mother's milk.
- Muttermal: Birthmark / mole.
- Mutterland: Motherland / native country (rarely used).
- Schraubenmutter: Screw nut (technical).
- Muttergesellschaft: Parent company (business).
Etymology:
The word "Mutter" has Indo-European roots (related to Latin mater, Greek mētēr, English mother) and has always referred to the female parental role.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mutter?
The word Mutter is feminine, so the correct article is always die Mutter. The plural form is die Mütter.