Why does the noun Rektor have the article der?

Nouns ending in -or are mostly masculine. Look at the bolded -or in the noun above — that suffix is the giveaway.

Examples

der Motor (motor), der Autor (author), der Faktor (factor), der Doktor (doctor), der Professor (professor), der Direktor (director), der Sponsor (sponsor)

Exceptions

das Labor (laboratory), das Tor (gate), das Fluor (fluorine), das Chlor (chlorine), das Dekor (decoration)

Declension table for German noun Rektor

How it changes across the four cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativder Rektorein Rektorkein Rektor
Akkusativden Rektoreinen Rektorkeinen Rektor
Dativdem Rektoreinem Rektorkeinem Rektor
Genitivdes Rektorseines Rektorskeines Rektors

Examples in context

Real sentences using Rektor in different cases.

CaseDefiniteIndefiniteNegative
Nominativ
Der neue Rektor kommt heute an.The new rector arrives today.
Ein junger Rektor spricht mit Studenten.A young rector speaks with students.
Kein alter Rektor arbeitet hier mehr.No old rector works here anymore.
Akkusativ
Ich sehe den neuen Rektor jetzt.I see the new rector now.
Wir suchen einen guten Rektor für die Schule.We are looking for a good rector for the school.
Sie kennen keinen schlechten Rektor.They don't know any bad rector.
Dativ
Ich spreche mit dem neuen Rektor.I am speaking with the new rector.
Sie hilft einem jungen Rektor gern.She gladly helps a young rector.
Wir geben keinem schlechten Rektor Arbeit.We don't give work to any bad rector.
Genitiv
Das Büro des neuen Rektors ist groß.The office of the new rector is large.
Die Rede eines jungen Rektors war kurz.The speech of a young rector was short.
Der Ruf keines schlechten Rektors ist gut.The reputation of no bad rector is good.

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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 Rektor?

It is der Rektor. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Rektor 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 Rektor?

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

What does der Rektor mean in English?

The German word der Rektor translates to “rector, principal” in English.

How do you decline der Rektor?

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

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.