die
Wirtin
👩🍳 What exactly is a Wirtin?
Die Wirtin is the feminine form of the German word der Wirt. It generally refers to a woman who owns or manages a pub, inn, restaurant, or similar establishment. She is the hostess and often the proprietor.
- Meaning 1: Innkeeper, landlady (of a pub/restaurant).
- Meaning 2: Landlady (of property - rather dated or regional).
- Meaning 3: Hostess (in the sense of someone who serves guests, also privately).
🚨 Attention: While der Wirt can also mean 'landlord' (of property), die Wirtin is less commonly used in this context today. One would more often say die Vermieterin (female landlord/lessor).
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 and Declension of Wirtin
The word Wirtin is a feminine noun and always takes the article die. It does not follow the n-declension but has a regular plural formation.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wirtin |
| Genitive | der | Wirtin |
| Dative | der | Wirtin |
| Accusative | die | Wirtin |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wirtinnen |
| Genitive | der | Wirtinnen |
| Dative | den | Wirtinnen |
| Accusative | die | Wirtinnen |
Example Sentences
- Die Wirtin begrüßte die Gäste freundlich an der Tür. (The landlady greeted the guests friendly at the door.)
- Wir haben der Wirtin ein großzügiges Trinkgeld gegeben. (We gave the landlady a generous tip.)
- Kennst du die nette Wirtin vom Gasthaus "Zum Goldenen Anker"? (Do you know the nice landlady from the inn "Zum Goldenen Anker"?)
- Alle Wirtinnen des Dorfes trafen sich zum Stammtisch. (All the landladies of the village met for their regular's table.)
💡 How is "Wirtin" used?
The term Wirtin is primarily used in the context of gastronomy (Gastronomie). It describes the woman responsible for the well-being of guests in an establishment (Lokal), whether as the owner (Eigentümerin) or manager (Leiterin).
- Typical Contexts: Pubs (Gaststätten, Kneipen), restaurants, inns (Gasthöfe), sometimes guesthouses (Pensionen).
- Style: The word is neutral to slightly traditional. In modern contexts, you might also hear Gastronomin (female gastronome/restaurateur) or Restaurantleiterin (female restaurant manager).
- Differentiation: A Kellnerin (waitress) serves the guests, while the Wirtin usually holds the superior role. A Köchin (female cook) prepares the food.
🧠 Mnemonics for Wirtin
Article Mnemonic: Die Wirtin - the "-in" ending almost always signals a feminine noun in German, hence die.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a woman who is the hostess with the most-ess, managing the inn (Wirtshaus), that's the Wirtin.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- Gastwirtin (very common, female innkeeper)
- Gastronomin (more modern, broader, female restaurateur)
- Lokalbesitzerin (female establishment owner)
- Kneipenwirtin (specific to pubs, female pub owner/manager)
- Gastgeberin (hostess, in a broader sense)
- Schankwirtin (dated, female publican)
- Vermieterin (rarely for landlady of an inn, more common for property)
Similar but Different Terms
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt ein Gast die Wirtin: "Sagen Sie mal, ist das Bier hier eigentlich immer so trüb?" Antwortet die Wirtin: "Keine Ahnung, ich bin doch Wirtin und keine Wahrsagerin!"
English Translation: A guest asks the landlady: "Tell me, is the beer here always this cloudy?" The landlady replies: "No idea, I'm a landlady, not a fortune teller!"
✍️ Poem about the Wirtin
Die gute Seele (The Good Soul)
Im Gasthaus, freundlich und geschwind, (In the inn, friendly and quick,)
Da wirkt die Wirtin, wohlgesinnt. (There works the landlady, well-disposed.)
Ein Lächeln hier, ein gutes Wort, (A smile here, a kind word,)
Sie ist der Mittelpunkt am Ort. (She is the center of the place.)
Sie zapft das Bier, reicht Speis und Trank, (She taps the beer, serves food and drink,)
Ihr sei gesagt: Hab vielen Dank! (Let it be said to her: Many thanks!)
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich trage oft 'ne Schürze,
Sorg' für Essen und für Würze.
In meinem Haus sind Gäste froh,
Mein Mann ist's auch, nur anderswo.
Ich leite, schenke aus und ein,
Wer könnte das wohl sein?
English Translation:
I often wear an apron,
Provide food and spice thereon.
In my house, guests are happy and bright,
My husband is too, but elsewhere in sight. (Referring to der Wirt)
I manage, pour drinks out and in,
Who could I possibly be then?
Solution: Die Wirtin (The landlady/female innkeeper)
🧩 Additional Information
- Word Formation: The word Wirtin is formed from the masculine noun Wirt by adding the feminine suffix "-in". This process is called Movierung in German linguistics.
- Cultural Significance: Historically and often still today, the Wirtin is a central figure in the social life of a village or neighborhood, as the inn (Gasthaus) serves as an important meeting place.
- Job Title: Wirtin is also a job title, although today it might be supplemented or replaced by more modern terms like Gastronomin.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wirtin?
The noun "Wirtin" is feminine. The correct article is always die: die Wirtin (the landlady), der Wirtin (of the landlady), die Wirtinnen (the landladies).
