die / der  Versicherte

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈzɪçɐtə/

🧐 What does 'Versicherte(r)' mean?

The word Versicherte is a nominalized adjective, derived from the verb versichern (to insure). It refers to a person who has taken out an insurance policy or is protected by insurance – an insured person.

It has two forms in the singular, depending on the gender of the person:

• der Versicherte: a male person who is insured.
• die Versicherte: a female person who is insured.

The plural for both genders is die Versicherten (the insured persons).

🚨 Be careful: Don't confuse der/die Versicherte (the insured person) with der Versicherer (the insurer/insurance company).

Article rules for der, die, and das

✍️ Grammar of 'Versicherte(r)' in Detail

As a substantiviertes Adjektiv (nominalized adjective), 'Versicherte(r)' is declined like an adjective. The declension depends on whether it follows a definite article (weak declension), an indefinite article (mixed declension), or no article (strong declension).

Declension: der Versicherte (masculine)

Declension: die Versicherte (feminine)

Example Sentences

1. Der Versicherte meldete den Schaden unverzüglich seiner Versicherung.
   (The insured man reported the damage immediately to his insurance.)
2. Als Versicherter bei dieser Krankenkasse habe ich Anspruch auf bestimmte Leistungen.
   (As an insured person [male] with this health insurance, I am entitled to certain benefits.)
3. Die Versicherte erhielt nach dem Unfall Krankengeld.
   (The insured woman received sickness benefits after the accident.)
4. Die Rechte einer Versicherten sind gesetzlich festgelegt.
   (The rights of an insured woman are stipulated by law.)
5. Die Versicherten wurden über die Beitragserhöhung informiert.
   (The insured persons were informed about the premium increase.)

🗣️ How 'Versicherte(r)' is Used

The term 'Versicherte(r)' is mainly used in the context of insurance, especially:

• Health insurance (Krankenversicherung): Der Versicherte muss seine elektronische Gesundheitskarte vorlegen. (The insured person must present their electronic health card.)
• Social security (Sozialversicherung): Die Beiträge zur Rentenversicherung werden von Arbeitgebern und Versicherten geteilt. (The contributions to the pension fund are shared by employers and insured persons.)
• Liability, accident, life insurance, etc. (Haftpflicht-, Unfall-, Lebensversicherung): Im Schadensfall unterstützt der Versicherer den Versicherten. (In case of damage, the insurer supports the insured person.)

It's a formal term often found in contracts, official letters, laws, and discussions about the health or social security system.

In everyday language, people might simply say "die Person, die versichert ist" (the person who is insured) or use the person's name if known.

💡 Mnemonics for Versicherte

Article/Gender: Remember: Der points to the herr (man), die points to the die-va (woman). The article matches the natural gender.

Meaning: Someone who wants to be very sure (sehr sicher) gets insured and becomes a Versicherte(r).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Der/die Versicherte is the person, die Versicherung is the insurance (contract or coverage), der Versicherer is the insurer (company).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Arzt den Versicherten: "Haben Sie eine private Zusatzversicherung?"
Antwortet der Versicherte: "Nein, aber ich habe einen sehr optimistischen Anwalt!"

Translation:

The doctor asks the insured person: "Do you have private supplementary insurance?"
The insured person replies: "No, but I have a very optimistic lawyer!"

📜 A Little Poem

Ob Mann, ob Frau, ob alt, ob jung,
mit Police hat man Schwung.
Der Versicherte zahlt brav die Prämie ein,
die Versicherte hofft, es bleibt alles fein.
Kommt doch ein Schaden, groß und breit,
stehen die Versicherten bereit,
ihren Anspruch geltend zu machen,
überlassen dem Versicherer die Sachen.

Translation:

Whether man, woman, old or young,
with a policy, you've got momentum.
The insured man pays the premium dutifully,
the insured woman hopes all stays well beautifully.
If damage comes, large and wide,
the insured persons stand ready side-by-side,
to assert their claim,
leaving matters to the insurer's name.

❓ Riddle

Ich zahle Geld für Sicherheit,
für Krankheit, Unfall, jederzeit.
Bin ich ein Mann, heißt's 'der' vor mir,
bin ich 'ne Frau, steht 'die' dafür.
Wer bin ich, im Vertrag benannt?

Translation:

I pay money for security,
for illness, accident, for all eternity.
If I am a man, it's 'der' before me,
if I am a woman, 'die' you'll see.
Who am I, named in the contract's hand?

Solution: Der Versicherte / Die Versicherte (The insured person)

🌐 Other Information

Word Formation:

The word 'Versicherte(r)' is an example of a nominalization of a participle (Substantivierung eines Partizips). It derives from the past participle (Partizip II) of the verb versichern (to insure): versichert (insured).

• versichern (verb) -> versichert (past participle / adjective) -> der/die Versicherte (nominalized adjective/noun)

Context in Germany:

In Germany, the term is central to the social security system (Sozialversicherungssystem). A common distinction is made between those insured under the statutory health insurance scheme (gesetzlich Versicherte in the GKV - Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and those with private health insurance (privat Versicherte in the PKV - Private Krankenversicherung).