die
Regisseurin
🎬 What does 'die Regisseurin' mean?
Die Regisseurin means a female director. This is a woman whose profession is to direct (Regie führen). This means she is responsible for the artistic direction and staging (Inszenierung) of films (Filme), plays (Theaterstücke), operas (Opern), radio plays (Hörspiele), or television programs (Fernsehsendungen).
She guides the actors (Schauspieler) and coordinates the various departments like camera (Kamera), editing (Schnitt), sound (Ton), and set design (Ausstattung) to realize a specific artistic vision.
It is the feminine form of the word der Regisseur (the male director).
The suffix -in is typical for female job titles in German and clearly signals the feminine gender, which is why the article is always 'die'.
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 in Detail: Die Regisseurin
The noun 'Regisseurin' is feminine. Therefore, the corresponding article is always die.
Declension (Deklination)
Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)
- Die Regisseurin gab dem Kameramann Anweisungen. (The female director gave instructions to the cameraman.)
- Die Unterschrift der Regisseurin war auf dem Vertrag. (The female director's signature was on the contract.)
- Wir dankten der Regisseurin für das Interview. (We thanked the female director for the interview.)
- Ich habe die Regisseurin gestern im Theater gesehen. (I saw the female director at the theater yesterday.)
- Viele berühmte Regisseurinnen prägen das moderne Kino. (Many famous female directors shape modern cinema.)
💡 Using 'Regisseurin'
The term die Regisseurin is used when specifically referring to a woman who directs.
- Context: Film production (Filmproduktion), theatre (Theater), opera (Oper), television (Fernsehen), radio plays (Hörspiel).
- Distinction: The masculine form is der Regisseur. In general contexts or mixed groups, sometimes neutral forms like 'Regieführende' (directing people) are attempted, but 'Regisseurin' is the established and correct feminine form.
- Typical Phrases: 'die Regisseurin des Films' (the female director of the film), 'eine bekannte Theater-Regisseurin' (a well-known female theatre director), 'Anweisungen der Regisseurin' (instructions from the female director).
🧠 Mnemonics for Regisseurin
Remembering the Article: The ending "-in" makes it feminine! Just like Lehrerin (female teacher), Ärztin (female doctor), Köchin (female cook) – jobs for women often end in "-in" and take the article "die". Think: The boss (Die Chefin) is a Regisseurin. The 'ie' in 'die' echoes the 'i' in '-in'.
Remembering the Meaning: A Regisseurin leads the Regie (direction). She essentially 'rules' or 'governs' (regieren) the set or stage, telling everyone what to do to make the plan work. She sets the direction (Regie).
🔄 Synonyms and Counterparts
Synonyms
- Spielleiterin: Similar meaning, often used in a theatre context (Leiterin = female leader, Spiel = play).
- Inszenatorin: More strongly emphasizes the aspect of staging (Inszenierung), also often used in theatre or opera contexts.
- Filmemacherin: (Female filmmaker) A broader term that can include other roles in film production, but often used synonymously when the focus is on directing.
Antonyms/Counterparts
- Der Regisseur: The masculine form of the profession (male director).
- There are no direct antonyms in the sense of 'opposite'. One could perhaps mention professions that receive instructions (e.g., Schauspieler/in - actor/actress), but this isn't a true antonym.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Schauspieler die Regisseurin: "Soll ich die Rolle eher komisch oder tragisch anlegen?" Antwortet die Regisseurin: "Egal, Hauptsache, du spielst sie nicht langweilig!"
English Translation: The actor asks the female director: "Should I play the role more comically or tragically?" The female director replies: "Doesn't matter, as long as you don't play it boringly!"
📜 Poem about the Regisseurin
German:
Mit Plan und Vision, klar im Blick,
führt die Regisseurin Stück für Stück.
Am Set, im Theater, hell und wach,
bringt sie Geschichten unter Dach.
Sie formt das Spiel, lenkt Licht und Ton,
erntet am Ende verdienten Lohn.
English Translation:
With plan and vision, clear in sight,
the female director guides piece by piece, just right.
On set, in the theatre, bright and awake,
she brings stories to life, for goodness sake.
She shapes the play, directs light and sound,
reaping deserved rewards all around.
❓ Fun Riddle
German:
Ich sag den Stars, wo's lang soll geh'n,
lass Szenen oft von vorn ersteh'n.
Am Filmset bin ich die Chefin,
eine Frau mit Plan und Sinn.
Wer bin ich?(Auflösung: die Regisseurin)
English Translation:
I tell the stars which way to go,
make scenes restart, put on a show.
On the film set, I'm the boss,
A woman with a plan, no loss.
Who am I?
(Answer: the female director / die Regisseurin)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung): The word comes from the French 'régisseur' (administrator, manager), derived from 'régir' (to direct, govern), which in turn goes back to the Latin 'regere' (to guide, direct, rule). The ending '-in' is the standard German suffix to create the feminine form of nouns, especially professions.
Famous Female Directors (Bekannte Regisseurinnen): Germany and the world have produced many talented female directors, e.g., Maren Ade, Caroline Link (German), Sofia Coppola, Kathryn Bigelow, or Chloé Zhao (international).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Regisseurin?
The word 'Regisseurin' refers to a female director. As a feminine job title ending in '-in', the correct article is always die (die Regisseurin, die Regisseurinnen).