der Ältere
the older one
The older of two or more people being compared with each other.
EXAMPLE
Von den beiden Brüdern ist Paul der Ältere.
Of the two brothers, Paul is the older one.
der Ältere
older person
die Ältere, die Älteren
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Meanings
der Ältere
older person
A person of advanced age; usually used in the plural ('Ältere', 'die Älteren') for older people as a group.
EXAMPLE
Viele Ältere nutzen inzwischen ganz selbstverständlich ein Smartphone.
Many older people now use a smartphone as a matter of course.
Forms
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Älteren |
| genitive | der Älteren |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Ältere | die Älteren |
| accusative | die Ältere | die Älteren |
| dative | der Älteren | den Älteren |
| genitive | der Älteren | der Älteren |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Substantivized adjective
'Der Ältere' (the older man) and 'die Ältere' (the older woman) are substantivized adjectives: They refer to people and are therefore capitalized. For a man, use 'der Ältere'; for a woman, use 'die Ältere'.
EXAMPLE
Der Ältere setzte sich neben das Fenster.
The older man sat down next to the window.
Ich habe mit dem Älteren am Empfang gesprochen.
I spoke with the older man at reception.
Comparison construction
When 'der Ältere' (the older one) compares two or more people, it is often accompanied by a phrase with 'von' (of) or 'der beiden' (of the two). This phrase shows which group of people the comparison refers to.
EXAMPLE
Der Ältere von den beiden Studenten gewann den Wettbewerb.
The older of the two students won the competition.
Die Ältere der beiden Schwestern lebt inzwischen in Hamburg.
The older of the two sisters now lives in Hamburg.
Older people as a group
In this meaning, the word is usually used in the plural. Without an article, it is 'Ältere'; with an article, it is 'die Älteren' (older people); it is often contrasted with 'Jüngere' or 'die Jüngeren' (younger people).
EXAMPLE
Das Kursangebot richtet sich besonders an Ältere.
The range of courses is aimed particularly at older people.
Die Älteren im Dorf erinnern sich noch an die große Flut.
The older people in the village still remember the great flood.
In real life
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