Why is it der Methusalem?
Methusalem ends in -em. Most nouns with this ending are neuter (92% take das), but Methusalem is an exception: der Methusalem.
The other -em exceptions der
Meaning
Examples
[1] At the age of 97, he is a real methusaleme
[1] Mit seinen 97 Jahren ist er ein richtiger Methusalem.
[1] The California grannies are the methusalems of the plant kingdom
[1] Die kalifornischen Grannenkiefern sind die Methusalems des Pflanzenreiches.
More source examples (2)
These dictionary examples can include historical and less common uses.
[1] The Fessenheim nuclear power plant is a methusal one among the French reactorean
[1] Das Kernkraftwerk Fessenheim ist ein Methusalem unter den französischen Reaktoren.
[1] "The multi -hundred years of methusale are insane exaggeration - too much of a good, truly" "
[1] „Die mehrhundertjährigen Methusaleme sind wahnwitzige Übertreibungen – zu viel des Guten, wahrlich.“
Grammar note
In the manuals, the -S -plural is given, but there are also many evidence with a -e -plural
Declension
| 1 | Singular | Plural 1 | Plural 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominativ | der Methusalem | die Methusalems | die Methusaleme |
| Genitiv | des Methusalems | der Methusalems | der Methusaleme |
| Dativ | dem Methusalem | den Methusalems | den Methusalemen |
| Akkusativ | den Methusalem | die Methusalems | die Methusaleme |
Pronunciation
Dictionary entries include material from Wiktionary. Wiktionary