die /
der
Prostituierte
📖 What does Prostituierte mean?
The word Prostituierte is a substantivized past participle of the verb prostituieren (to prostitute oneself, to offer oneself). It refers to a person who offers sexual services for payment.
It has two grammatical genders:
- die Prostituierte: Refers specifically to a female person. This is the most common form.
- der Prostituierte: Refers specifically to a male person. In formal or legal language, it can sometimes be used generically for a person (male or female) engaged in prostitution, but this is less common and can be ambiguous. Generally, for men, terms like der Stricher (often derogatory) or the more neutral der Sexarbeiter are used.
⚠️ Important Note: The term can be perceived as stigmatizing. In many contexts, neutral terms like Sexarbeiterin (female sex worker) or Sexarbeiter (male sex worker) are preferred.
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 of Prostituierte in Detail
Prostituierte is declined like an adjective used as a noun (substantiviertes Adjektiv/Partizip). After a definite article (der, die), the weak declension is used.
Die Prostituierte (feminine)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Prostituierte | die Prostituierten |
| Genitive | der Prostituierten | der Prostituierten |
| Dative | der Prostituierten | den Prostituierten |
| Accusative | die Prostituierte | die Prostituierten |
Der Prostituierte (masculine)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Prostituierte | die Prostituierten |
| Genitive | des Prostituierten | der Prostituierten |
| Dative | dem Prostituierten | den Prostituierten |
| Accusative | den Prostituierten | die Prostituierten |
Note: When used without an article or after indefinite articles/pronouns, it follows the strong or mixed adjective declension (e.g., eine Prostituierte - a prostitute, Prostituierte [plural] - prostitutes).
Example Sentences
- Die Polizei befragte die Prostituierte als Zeugin. (The police questioned the prostitute [female] as a witness.)
- Das Gesetz schützt auch die Rechte der Prostituierten. (The law also protects the rights of the prostitute [female, genitive singular] / prostitutes [genitive plural].)
- Er wurde als der Prostituierte identifiziert, der in der Gasse gesehen wurde. (He was identified as the prostitute [male] who was seen in the alley.)
- Man sprach über die Risiken für Prostituierte in der Stadt. (People talked about the risks for prostitutes [plural] in the city.)
🗣️ Usage and Context
The term Prostituierte(r) is often used in formal, official, or legal contexts (e.g., in police reports, legal texts).
In everyday language, the word can sound derogatory or stigmatizing. Many people and organizations prefer terms such as:
- Sexarbeiterin / Sexarbeiter: Considered more neutral and emphasizes the aspect of work.
- Fachkraft für käufliche Liebe (specialist for purchasable love): Rather rare and sometimes used ironically.
Highly derogatory terms like Hure (whore) or Stricher (male prostitute, often street prostitute) should be avoided unless quoting or describing their use.
The choice of term strongly depends on the context, intent, and desired level of respect and neutrality.
💡 Mnemonics for Prostituierte
Remembering the Article: Think: The most common image is Die Frau (the woman) -> die Prostituierte. For the man (less common or formal) -> der Prostituierte.
Remembering the Meaning: The word sounds a bit like "pro status" in English, but it's about selling services, not status. Or think of "pro-" (for) and the root related to "statute" or "standing" -> someone who offers themselves for money.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (with different connotations)
- Sexarbeiterin / Sexarbeiter (neutral, preferred)
- Dirne (archaic, literary, often derogatory)
- Freudenmädchen (euphemistic, archaic - 'girl of joy')
- Hure (highly derogatory, vulgar - 'whore')
- Stricherin / Stricher (more for street prostitution, often derogatory)
- Callgirl / Callboy (for escort services)
😂 A Joke?
Given the sensitivity of the topic and the potential for stigmatization, making jokes about prostitutes is inappropriate. Respect and sensitivity are more important here than humor.
📜 Poem
Am Rande der Nacht, im schwindenden Licht,
ein Leben geführt, das manch einer nicht spricht.
Ob die oder der, oft hart ist der Pfad,
ein Mensch hinter dem Wort, in der großen Stadt.
(On the edge of night, in fading light,
a life led, that many don't speak of outright.
Whether 'die' or 'der', the path is often hard,
a person behind the word, in the big city's yard.)
❓ Riddle
Ich biete etwas an, das sehr privat,
gegen Geld, in der Stadt oder Staat.
Man nennt mich 'die', wenn weiblich ich bin,
man nennt mich 'der', hat's männlichen Sinn.
Mein Beruf ist alt, oft missverstanden,
in Schatten und Licht an vielen Landen.
Wer bin ich?
(I offer something very private,
for money, in the city or state.
They call me 'die' when I am female,
They call me 'der', if it's a male tale.
My profession is old, often misunderstood,
in shadow and light, in many a neighborhood.)
Who am I?
Solution: die/der Prostituierte (the prostitute)
🌐 Other Information
Etymology: The word comes from the Latin verb prostituere, meaning “to expose publicly, offer for sale, offer for debauchery”. It is the past participle used as a noun.
Legal Status: Engaging in prostitution is legal in Germany under certain conditions and regulated by the Prostituiertenschutzgesetz (ProstSchG - Prostitute Protection Act). This varies greatly from country to country.
📝 Summary: is it der or die Prostituierte?
The word Prostituierte can take two articles: die Prostituierte (referring to a female person, the most common form) and der Prostituierte (referring to a male person or, rarely, generically/formally). It is a substantivized participle declined like an adjective.