It’s one of the first words we learn, one of the most meaningful in any language, and a role that comes with love, responsibility, and (sometimes) dad jokes. In German, it’s der Vater. This is your German word of the day, and it’s a word that connects families, stories, and traditions.

The noun Vater means father, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. You’ll hear it in everyday life, read it in children’s books and legal forms, and see it in compound words everywhere.

It’s a masculine noun, so we say der Vater (want gender to finally make sense? Our video lesson explains it all in just a few minutes).

Pronunciation

Vater is pronounced [FAH-ter].

• Va like “fa” in father,

• ter like “tuh,” with a soft r,

• Stress is on the first syllable: FAH-ter

It’s gentle and familiar—just like the role it describes.

Example sentences:

Mein Vater ist Lehrer.
My father is a teacher.

Ich rufe meinen Vater jeden Sonntag an.
I call my father every Sunday.

Nuance and usage tips

Vater refers to one’s biological or legal father—but it’s also used more broadly in religious, historical, and symbolic contexts.

Variants and related uses:

• mein Vater – my father

• der Vater von Lisa – Lisa’s father

• Stiefvater – stepfather

• Pflegevater – foster father

• Großvater – grandfather

• Väter – plural form: fathers

Other familiar terms:

• Papa – dad (casual, affectionate)

• Vati – another affectionate form, often used with small children

And in broader usage:

• Vaterland – fatherland

• Gründervater – founding father

• Unser Vater – “Our Father,” used in Christian prayer

How does this word come up in real conversations?

Vater is used in every context where you talk about family:

“Mein Vater hat morgen Geburtstag.” – My dad’s birthday is tomorrow.
“Ich war mit meinem Vater im Kino.” – I went to the movies with my father.

You’ll also hear it in storytelling, historical references, and religious discussions.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Klara: Was macht dein Vater beruflich?
Ben: Er arbeitet bei der Polizei.
Klara: Cool! Ist er streng?
Ben: Manchmal – aber er hat auch Humor.

Klara: What does your father do?
Ben: He works for the police.
Klara: Cool! Is he strict?
Ben: Sometimes—but he has a sense of humor too.

Grammatical case examples:

Nominative:
Der Vater liest ein Buch.
The father is reading a book.

Accusative:
Ich sehe den Vater im Garten.
I see the father in the garden.

Dative:
Ich habe mit dem Vater gesprochen.
I spoke with the father.

Genitive:
Die Stimme des Vaters war leise.
The father’s voice was quiet.

Masculine case pattern: der, den, dem, des

Word variations and language tidbits

Common compounds and expressions:

• Vaterfigur – father figure

• Vaterschaftstest – paternity test

• Vaterrolle – father’s role

• Vatertag – Father’s Day (celebrated differently than in the U.S.!)

• Vater sein – to be a father

Cultural note: In Germany, Vatertag (Father’s Day) is often celebrated with beer hikes or outings with male friends—not necessarily as a family holiday!

📘 Duden entry
🎥 Want to master the most important German nouns with ease and confidence? Our free video course walks you through the top 1000 with visuals, grammar tips, and real-life examples to make vocabulary stick.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Vampir means? It’s a classic—especially when the sun goes down.
What about Verabredung? That one could get your evening started—or cancelled.