die  Sekretärin

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/zɛkʁeˈtɛːʁɪn/

👩‍💼 What does „die Sekretärin" mean?

Die Sekretärin (noun, feminine) refers to a female person who performs supportive administrative, organizational, and communicative tasks in an office or administrative setting for an individual (e.g., a boss) or a department.

Her main tasks often include:

• Correspondence (letters, emails) - Korrespondenz
• Scheduling and coordinating appointments - Terminplanung und -koordination
• Making and forwarding phone calls - Telefonate führen und weiterleiten
• Receiving visitors - Empfang von Besuchern
• Filing and document management - Aktenführung und Dokumentenmanagement
• Organizing meetings and travel - Organisation von Besprechungen und Reisen

It is the feminine form of the word der Sekretär (the male secretary).

⚠️ Note: The term „Sekretärin" is sometimes perceived as somewhat traditional. More modern or comprehensive job titles are often „Assistentin der Geschäftsführung" (Executive Assistant), „Managementassistentin" (Management Assistant), or „Bürokauffrau" (Office Clerk), depending on the exact scope of duties and hierarchy level.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Sekretärin

The word „Sekretärin" is a feminine noun. The article is always „die".

Example Sentences

1. Die neue Sekretärin beginnt am Montag.
   (The new secretary starts on Monday.)
2. Ich muss der Sekretärin die Unterlagen geben.
   (I have to give the documents to the secretary.)
3. Wir suchen eine erfahrene Sekretärin für unser Team.
   (We are looking for an experienced secretary for our team.)
4. Die Aufgaben der Sekretärinnen sind vielfältig.
   (The tasks of the secretaries are diverse.)
5. Der Chef lobte die Sekretärin für ihre gute Arbeit.
   (The boss praised the secretary for her good work.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

The term „die Sekretärin" is typically used in a professional context to describe a female person providing administrative support.

• Context: Office environments, companies (Unternehmen), law firms (Kanzleien), doctor's offices (Arztpraxen), public authorities (Behörden).
• Typical Sentences: „Können Sie das bitte bei meiner Sekretärin abgeben?" (Could you please leave this with my secretary?), „Die Sekretärin verbindet Sie gleich." (The secretary will connect you shortly.), „Unsere Sekretärin organisiert die Weihnachtsfeier." (Our secretary is organizing the Christmas party.)
• Nuances: As mentioned before, the term can sometimes be perceived as outdated. Depending on qualifications and level of responsibility, „Assistentin" (assistant) or more specific titles like „Teamassistentin" (team assistant), „Projektassistentin" (project assistant), or „Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte" (paralegal assistant) are more common and often more accurate. The choice of term depends on the specific work environment and company culture (Unternehmenskultur).

💡 Mnemonics for Sekretärin

Mnemonic for the article „die":

Think of female roles often having the article "die" in German (die Frau, die Mutter, die Lehrerin). Since a Sekretärin is a female professional, remember: "She is the secretary" -> SHE corresponds to the feminine article die.

Mnemonic for the meaning:

Imagine a secretary keeping all the boss's secrets safe and organized. The word "Sekretärin" contains "Sekret" (which sounds like 'secret'). She's the keeper of office 'secrets' (appointments, confidential documents).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar, but different terms:

• Der Sekretär: The male form of the profession.
• Der Schriftführer / Die Schriftführerin: Minute-taker (male/female); someone who takes minutes (can be part of a secretary's duties, but is a specific function).

😄 A Little Office Joke

Fragt der Chef seine Sekretärin: „Haben Sie die E-Mail an Herrn Müller weitergeleitet?"
Sekretärin: „Ja, Chef, aber ich habe zur Sicherheit noch eine Brieftaube hinterhergeschickt!"

Translation:
The boss asks his secretary: "Did you forward the email to Mr. Müller?"
Secretary: "Yes, boss, but just to be safe, I sent a carrier pigeon after it!"

✒️ Poem about the Sekretärin

Die Sekretärin, schnell und schlau,
kennt jeden Termin, weiß genau,
wo Akten ruh'n, wer wann anruft,
ob Kaffee schwarz, ob mit Duft.

Sie tippt geschwind, ist stets bereit,
managt das Chaos, spart viel Zeit.
Mit Lächeln, Stift und Telefon,
verdient sie Dank und großen Lohn.

Translation:
The secretary, quick and smart,
knows every date, knows right from the start,
where files rest, who calls and when,
if coffee's black, or scented then.

She types so fast, is always keen,
manages chaos, a time-saving queen.
With smile, pen, and telephone,
she earns thanks and a worthy throne.

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich plane Reisen, nah und fern,
schreibe Briefe für den Herrn.
Ich nehme Anrufe entgegen,
und helfe auf des Chefs Wegen.
Mein Artikel ist feminin, na klar.
Wer bin ich wohl? Es ist doch wahr!

Translation:
I plan trips, near and far,
write letters for the boss, wherever they are.
I take the calls that come my way,
and help the boss throughout the day.
My article is feminine, it's clear.
Who am I? The answer's here!

Solution: Die Sekretärin (The Secretary)

More Insights into Sekretärin

• Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word „Sekretär" (and thus „Sekretärin") comes from the Middle Latin secretarius, which originally meant 'confidential clerk' or 'confidant' (from Latin secretum = secret).
• Plural Form (Pluralbildung): The plural of „die Sekretärin" is „die Sekretärinnen".
• Masculine Form (Männliche Form): The male equivalent is „der Sekretär".
• Changing Job Profile (Berufsbild im Wandel): Digitalization has significantly changed the job profile. Pure typing tasks often take a backseat, while digital organization, communication, and project management become more important.