der Klassiker
classic
A work of art, music, or literature that is considered timeless, exemplary, and of lasting value.
EXAMPLE
Beethovens 5. Sinfonie ist ein Klassiker der Musikgeschichte.
Beethoven's 5th Symphony is a classic of music history.
der Klassiker
classic
der Klassiker, die Klassiker
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Meanings
der Klassiker
classic
Colloquial term for a typical, often recurring situation or a familiar problem.
EXAMPLE
Den Schlüssel in der Wohnung vergessen – das ist bei mir ein echter Klassiker.
Forgetting the key inside the apartment—that's a real classic for me.
der Klassiker
classic match
An important and traditional sporting encounter, usually between two rival teams.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende findet der Fußball-Klassiker zwischen Real Madrid und dem FC Barcelona statt.
This weekend, the classic football match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will take place.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Klassiker, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Klassiker |
| genitive | des Klassikers |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Klassiker | die Klassiker |
| accusative | den Klassiker | die Klassiker |
| dative | dem Klassiker | den Klassikern |
| genitive | des Klassikers | der Klassiker |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Klassiker' (the classic) is the noun related to the adjective 'klassisch' (classic/classical). Something that is 'klassisch'—that is, timeless, typical, or exemplary—is 'ein Klassiker' (a classic).
EXAMPLE
Dieses Automodell hat ein klassisches Design.
This car model has a classic design.
Context clues
The meaning of 'Klassiker' becomes clear from context. If it's about art, literature, or music, it refers to a masterpiece. In a sports context, it is an important match. In everyday life, it describes a typical situation.
EXAMPLE
„Faust“ von Goethe ist ein Klassiker der deutschen Literatur.
'Faust' by Goethe is a classic of German literature.
Das Spiel Bayern gegen Dortmund ist der deutsche Fußball-Klassiker.
The Bayern against Dortmund match is the German football classic.
Typical collocations
To specify what kind of classic is meant, the field is often named: 'ein Klassiker der Filmgeschichte' (a classic of film history), 'ein Literaturklassiker' (a literary classic), or 'ein Rock-Klassiker' (a rock classic).
EXAMPLE
Dieser Song ist ein echter Klassiker aus den 80er Jahren.
This song is a real classic from the 80s.
Register and usage
The meaning 'typical situation' is colloquial. It is often used with a certain irony to talk about a recurring mishap or a predictable action.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe schon wieder den Bus verpasst – der Klassiker am Montagmorgen.
I missed the bus again—the classic Monday morning situation.
Compare with
Klassiker vs Kult
cult
A Klassiker is generally considered timeless and enduringly valuable. A work is Kult when it is passionately admired by a particular group and is usually used predicatively. A film can therefore be a Klassiker for many people, but be Kult only within a particular fan group.
Klassiker
Der Film gilt wegen seiner zeitlosen Qualität heute als Klassiker.
Because of its timeless quality, the film is now considered a classic.
Kult
Für seine kleine, treue Fangemeinde ist der Film längst Kult.
The film has long been a cult favorite among its small, loyal fan base.
In real life
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