noun
athlete, sportsman
B1
“Sportler” means 'athlete' or 'sportsman'. Masculine noun: der Sportler. Plural: Sportler (same form). Genitive singular adds -s: des Sportlers. Can be used generically for athletes of any gender in some contexts, but feminine form is Sportlerin. Regular declension otherwise in German.
Examples
Der Sportler trainiert für die Olympischen Spiele.
The athlete is training for the Olympic Games.
Der Verein unterstützte den Sportler, obwohl er verletzt war, damit er bald wieder teilnehmen konnte.
The club supported the athlete, although he was injured, so that he could participate again soon.
Der Sportler trainiert jeden Morgen im Stadion.
The athlete trains every morning in the stadium.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a person in sportswear with a medal labeled 'Sportler'.
Sportler sounds like 'sport' + 'ler' (one who does) → someone who does sport.
Der Sportler — der (masculine): imagine a male athlete on a podium with a big DER sign.
Notes
Sportler is commonly used for male athletes; Sportlerin is the female form. Plural Sportler can refer to mixed groups in colloquial use.