Why does the noun Liebhaber have the article der?

Nouns formed from verbs with -er ending are mostly masculine. Look at the bolded -er in the noun above — that suffix is the giveaway.

Examples

der Lehrer (teacher), der Fahrer (driver), der Arbeiter (worker), der Schreiber (writer), der Spieler (player), der Maler (painter)

Exceptions

das Fenster (window), das Wasser (water), die Butter (butter), die Mutter (mother)

Declension table for German noun Liebhaber

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Liebhaberein Liebhaberkein Liebhaber
Akkusativden Liebhabereinen Liebhaberkeinen Liebhaber
Dativdem Liebhabereinem Liebhaberkeinem Liebhaber
Genitivdes Liebhaberseines Liebhaberskeines Liebhabers

Examples in context

Real sentences using Liebhaber in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der alte Liebhaber kommt heute.The old lover comes today.
Ein neuer Liebhaber ist hier.A new lover is here.
Kein Liebhaber wartet mehr.No lover waits anymore.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe den alten Liebhaber.I see the old lover.
Sie sucht einen neuen Liebhaber.She is looking for a new lover.
Er kennt keinen Liebhaber hier.He knows no lover here.
Dativ
Ich spreche mit dem alten Liebhaber.I speak with the old lover.
Sie hilft einem neuen Liebhaber.She helps a new lover.
Er gibt keinem Liebhaber Geld.He gives no lover money.
Genitiv
Das Auto des Liebhabers ist rot.The lover's car is red.
Der Wunsch eines Liebhabers ist klar.A lover's wish is clear.
Wegen keines Liebhabers weine ich.I cry for no lover.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Liebhaber?

It is der Liebhaber. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Liebhaber is masculine. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of der Liebhaber?

The plural form of der Liebhaber is die Liebhaber. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

What does der Liebhaber mean in English?

The German word der Liebhaber translates to “lover, enthusiast” in English.

How do you decline der Liebhaber?

Like all German nouns, Liebhaber changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:
  • Nominativ: der Liebhaber
  • Akkusativ: den Liebhaber
  • Dativ: dem Liebhaber
  • Genitiv: des Liebhabers

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.