die
Reporterin
📰 What is a Reporterin?
Die Reporterin is the feminine form of the German word der Reporter (male reporter). It refers to a woman whose profession is to create reports about events, people, or facts for media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, or online platforms. Her main task involves researching, gathering, and preparing information, often directly on location (vor Ort).
It's a distinctly feminine noun and always takes the article 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 Reporterin
The noun die Reporterin is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Reporterin |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Reporterin |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Reporterin |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Reporterin |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Reporterinnen |
| Genitive | der | Reporterinnen |
| Dative | den | Reporterinnen |
| Accusative | die | Reporterinnen |
Example Sentences
- Die Reporterin interviewte den Bürgermeister für den Abendbericht.
(The female reporter interviewed the mayor for the evening report.) - Der Artikel der Reporterin wurde auf der Titelseite gedruckt.
(The female reporter's article was printed on the front page.) - Der Chefredakteur gab der Reporterin den Auftrag für eine neue Story.
(The editor-in-chief gave the female reporter the assignment for a new story.) - Man sah die Reporterin oft mit ihrem Mikrofon in der Stadt.
(One often saw the female reporter in the city with her microphone.) - Viele junge Frauen träumen davon, als Reporterinnen um die Welt zu reisen.
(Many young women dream of travelling the world as female reporters.)
🎤 Everyday Usage
The term die Reporterin is used to describe a woman working in journalism who creates reports (Berichte). This can happen in various media contexts:
- Print Media (Printmedien): A Reporterin writes articles for newspapers or magazines.
- Broadcasting (Rundfunk): A Reporterin produces segments for radio or television.
- Online Media (Online-Medien): A Reporterin creates content for news websites, blogs, or social media.
Unlike a Korrespondentin (female correspondent), who often reports permanently from abroad, the Reporterin usually covers local or national topics or travels for specific events. The term Journalistin (female journalist) is a broader term that can also include female editors (Redakteurinnen), presenters (Moderatorinnen), etc., while 'Reporterin' specifically emphasizes the act of reporting.
🧠 Mnemonics for Reporterin
Article Mnemonic: Many feminine job titles in German end in "-in" and take the article die. Think: Die Reportin is reporting!
Meaning Mnemonic: A Reporterin reports the news. The '-in' tells you she's feminine.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Journalistin: Broader term for a female journalist.
- Berichterstatterin: Very similar, emphasizes delivering reports ('Berichte').
- Korrespondentin: Female correspondent, often specialized and based abroad.
- Redakteurin: Female editor, often works in an office editing content, but might also report.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
Direct antonyms are difficult. One could mention people who consume information instead of producing it:
- Leserin: Female reader
- Zuschauerin: Female viewer
- Hörerin: Female listener
Or someone who conceals information:
- Geheimnisträgerin: Female keeper of secrets (figuratively)
Similar, but Different Words:
- Moderatorin: Female host/presenter; leads a show or discussion, doesn't necessarily report herself.
- Pressesprecherin: Female press spokesperson; represents the view of an organization or person to the press.
😄 A Little Reporter Joke
German: Fragt der Chefredakteur die neue Reporterin: "Haben Sie schon Erfahrung mit Interviews unter schwierigen Bedingungen?" Antwortet sie: "Aber sicher, ich war fünf Jahre verheiratet!"
English Translation: The editor-in-chief asks the new female reporter: "Do you have experience with interviews under difficult conditions?" She replies: "Absolutely, I was married for five years!"
📜 Poem about the Reporterin
German:
Mit Block und Stift, oft schnell im Schritt,
Die Reporterin hält die Welt auf Trab.
Sie fragt, sie forscht, verpasst keinen Tritt,
Bringt Nachricht ans Licht, frisch aus dem Grab
Der Ereignisse, nah oder fern,
Sie schreibt die Story, jeder liest sie gern.
English Translation:
With pad and pen, often quick in stride,
The Reporterin keeps the world astir.
She asks, researches, nothing can hide,
Brings news to light, a fresh occurrence burr
From events, whether near or far,
She writes the story, loved by every star (reader).
🧩 Who am I? A Riddle
German:
Ich trage ein Mikrofon oder einen Block,
Bin immer da, wenn etwas geschieht, Schock um Schock.
Ich stelle Fragen, schreibe auf, was ich seh und hör,
Für Zeitung, Funk oder Fernseh-Chor.
Ich bin weiblich und berichte gern.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation:
I carry a microphone or a notepad,
I'm always there when something happens, shock by shock, quite mad.
I ask questions, write down what I see and hear,
For newspaper, radio, or television's choir, so clear.
I am female and enjoy reporting far and near.
Who am I?
(... Die Reporterin / The female reporter)
💡 Other Information about Reporterin
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
The word "Reporterin" is derived from the masculine noun der Reporter by adding the feminine suffix -in. "Reporter" itself comes from the English verb "to report", which in turn has Latin roots ("reportare" = to bring back, to report).
Gender-Inclusive Language (Gendern):
In modern German, there is often an effort to use gender-neutral language (e.g., Berichtende - reporting person, Medienschaffende - media professionals) or to explicitly mention both genders (Reporterinnen und Reporter - female and male reporters). However, "Reporterin" remains the correct and common term for a female person in this profession.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Reporterin?
The word 'Reporterin' is a feminine noun, so it always uses the article die. The plural form is 'die Reporterinnen'. It refers to a female reporter who professionally reports on events.