If you’re talking about movies, theater, or even school plays, today’s word is a must. The German noun Regisseur means director — the person responsible for the artistic vision of a performance. It’s most often used for film and stage directors, though you might also hear it in school or amateur productions.
Regisseur is a masculine noun, so the correct article is der — der Regisseur. There’s also a feminine form: die Regisseurin. Want a quick and effective way to understand German gender and articles? Our 5-minute video lesson gives you just the clarity you need.
Real conversations where Regisseur might come up
Whether you’re talking about your favorite movie, planning a production, or reading a film review, Regisseur is the word you’ll hear when someone is behind the scenes calling the shots.
– Wer war der Regisseur von dem Film?
– Spielberg, glaube ich.
(“Who was the director of that film?” – “Spielberg, I think.”)
Beginner sample dialogue
Lina: Was macht ein Regisseur genau?
Ben: Er entscheidet, wie der Film aussieht.
Lina: Oh! Das ist wichtig!
(Lina: What exactly does a director do?
Ben: He decides what the movie looks like.
Lina: Oh! That’s important!)
Grammar in action: How to use Regisseur
Nominative: Der Regisseur ist bekannt.
(The director is well-known.)Accusative: Ich bewundere den Regisseur.
(I admire the director.)Dative: Ich habe mit dem Regisseur gesprochen.
(I spoke with the director.)Genitive: Die Entscheidung des Regisseurs war mutig.
(The director’s decision was bold.)
Need a better handle on the German case system? Our straight-talking grammar course is perfect for learners who want to understand why without feeling overwhelmed.
Other ways to say director in German
While Regisseur is standard for artistic directors, other related terms include:
Filmemacher(in) – filmmaker (broader term)
Leiter(in) – leader/head (used in non-artistic contexts)
Projektleiter – project manager
Theaterregisseur – theater director
Filmregisseur – film director
But if you’re talking about someone who directs scenes, actors, and the artistic process — Regisseur is your word.
Word variations and tidbits
Regisseur comes from the French word régisseur, and ultimately from Latin regere — “to rule.” It fits: the director orchestrates everything.
You’ll often see it in credits or interviews:
Oscar für den besten Regisseur – Oscar for best director
Der Regisseur führt Regie. – The director directs. (Regie führen is the verb phrase!)
Regiedebüt – directorial debut
Starregisseur – celebrity director
Regieanweisung – stage direction (in scripts)
Fun phrase:
„Der Regisseur hat eine klare Vision.“
(“The director has a clear vision.”) – Common in reviews and behind-the-scenes commentary.
Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Regisseur
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
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