Is it der, die oder das Alter?
DER
The correct article in German of Alter is der. So it is der Alter! (nominative case)
The word Alter is masculine, therefore the correct article is der.
In Namibia the use of the word age in the sense of “husband” [4] has no derogatory connotation.
Finding the right gender of a noun
German articles are used similarly to the English articles,a and the. However, they are declined differently (change) according to the number, gender and case of their nouns.
In the German language, the gender and therefore article is fixed for each noun.
The most difficult part of learning the German language is the articles (der, die, das) or rather the gender of each noun. The gender of each noun in German has no simple rule. In fact, it can even seem illogical. For example das Mädchen, a young girl is neutral while der Junge, a young boy is male.
It is a good idea to learn the correct article for each new word together - even if it means a lot of work. For example learning "der Hund" (the dog) rather than just Hund by itself. Fortunately, there are some rules about gender in German that make things a little easier. It might be even nicer if these rules didn't have exceptions - but you can't have everything! The best way to learn them is with the App - Der-Die-Das Train! (available for iOS and Android)
German nouns belong either to the gender masculine (male, standard gender) with the definite article der, to the feminine (feminine) with the definite article die, or to the neuter (neuter) with the definite article das.
for masculine: points of the compass, weather (Osten, Monsun, Sturm; however it is: das Gewitter), liquor/spirits (Wodka, Wein, Kognak), minerals, rocks (Marmor, Quarz, Granit, Diamant);
for feminine: ships and airplanes (die Deutschland, die Boeing; however it is: der Airbus), cigarette brands (Camel, Marlboro), many tree and plant species (Eiche, Pappel, Kiefer; aber: der Flieder), numbers (Eins, Million; however it is: das Dutzend), most inland rivers (Elbe, Oder, Donau; aber: der Rhein);
for neutrals: cafes, hotels, cinemas (das Mariott, das Cinemaxx), chemical elements (Helium, Arsen; however it is: der Schwefel, masculine elements have the suffix -stoff), letters, notes, languages and colors (das Orange, das A, das Englische), certain brand names for detergents and cleaning products (Ariel, Persil), continents, countries (die artikellosen: (das alte) Europa; however exceptions include: der Libanon, die Schweiz …).
Context 1
German declension of Alter?
How does the declension of Alter work in the nominative, accusative, dative and genitive cases? Here you can find all forms in the singular as well as in the plural:
| starke Deklination ohne Artikel | ||
| 1 | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | Alter | Alte |
| Genitive | Alten | Alter |
| Dative | Altem | Alten |
| Akkusative | Alten | Alte |
| schwache Deklination mit bestimmtem Artikel | ||
| 1 | Singular | Plural |
| Nominativ | der Alte | die Alten |
| Genitiv | des Alten | der Alten |
| Dativ | dem Alten | den Alten |
| Akkusativ | den Alten | die Alten |
| gemischte Deklination (mit Possessivpronomen, »kein«, …) | ||
| 1 | Singular | Plural |
| Nominativ | ein Alter | keine Alten |
| Genitiv | eines Alten | keiner Alten |
| Dativ | einem Alten | keinen Alten |
| Akkusativ | einen Alten | keine Alten |
What is the meaning of Alter in German?
Alter has various definitions in German:
[1] old man
[1] alter Mann[2] old person of indeterminate gender
[2] alte Person unbestimmten Geschlechts[3] slightly derogatory: for the father
[3] leicht abwertend: für den Vater[4] slightly derogatory: for the husband or partner
[4] leicht abwertend: für den Ehemann oder Lebensgefährten[5] slightly derogatory: for the superior
[5] leicht abwertend: für den Vorgesetzten[6] Colloquially: Salutation for a male of the same age
[6] umgangssprachlich: Anrede für einen männlichen Gleichaltrigen[7] Namibia: steadfast friend (regardless of age)
[7] Namibia: fester Freund (altersunabhängig)How to use Alter in a sentence?
Example sentences in German using Alter with translations in English.
[1] Er spielte schon mit 30 den Alten.
[1] He played the old man at the age of 30[2] Sie geht ins Altersheim und liest den Alten vor.
[2] She goes to the old people's home and reads to the elderly.[3] Wenn mein Alter die Fünf in Deutsch sieht …
[3] When my age sees the five in German ...[4] Heute hab' ich Zeit, mein Alter macht Überstunden.
[4] Today I have time, my age is working overtime.[5] Der Alte ist heut' stinkig.
[5] The old man is stinky today[6] Komm, Alter, das wird schon wieder!
[6] Come on, dude, it'll be fine again[7] Meine 6-jährige Tochter wurde gerade eingeschult und hat schon nen Alten.
[7] My 6-year-old daughter just started school and already has an elderly .
Is it der, die oder das Alter?
DAS
The correct article in German of Alter is das. So it is das Alter! (nominative case)
The word Alter is neuter, therefore the correct article is das.
Context 2
German declension of Alter?
How does the declension of Alter work in the nominative, accusative, dative and genitive cases? Here you can find all forms in the singular as well as in the plural:
| 1 | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das Alter | die Alter |
| Genitive | des Alters | der Alter |
| Dative | dem Alter | den Altern |
| Akkusative | das Alter | die Alter |
What is the meaning of Alter in German?
Alter has various definitions in German:
[1] Duration of the counted, measured or determined period of time during which a thing, an object or a living being exists
[1] Dauer der gezählten, gemessenen oder ermittelten Zeitspanne, während welcher eine Sache, ein Gegenstand oder ein Lebewesen existiert[2] Term for the last achievable phase of a person's life
[2] Bezeichnung für den letzten erreichbaren Lebensabschnitt eines MenschenHow to use Alter in a sentence?
Example sentences in German using Alter with translations in English.
[1] Der Meteorit hat ein Alter von 150.000 Jahren.
[1] The meteorite is 150,000 years old.[1] Im Alter von 40 Jahren, so sagt man, werden die Schwaben gescheit.
[1] At the age of 40, it is said, the Swabians get smart[1] Gegeben sind die Personen A, B und C mit ihren Altern D, E und F.
[1] Given are people A, B and C with their ages D, E and F.[2] Im Alter ist man nicht mehr so unternehmungslustig.
[2] In old age one is no longer so enterprising.[2] „Das Alter ist der Übel höchstes; denn es beraubt den Menschen aller Genüsse, läßt ihm aber das Verlangen danach, und bringt alle Leiden mit sich.“[2]
[2] "Age is the greatest of evils; because it robs people of all pleasures, but leaves them wanting for them, and brings with it all suffering." [2][2] „Nach angenehmer Jugend, nach beschwerlichem Alter wird uns die Erde haben.“ (Original neulateinisch: Post iucundam iuventutem, post molestam senectutem nos habebit humus"[3])
[2] "After a pleasant youth, after a difficult old age, the earth will have us ." (Original Neo-Latin: Post iucundam iuventutem, post molestam senectutem nos habebit humus "[3])[2] „Beim Alter spielt die Vergesslichkeit eine große Rolle, die ältere Menschen mehr und mehr heimsucht.“[4]
[2] "In old age, forgetfulness plays a major role, and it afflicts older people more and more." [4]How do you pronounce Alter?
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