der  Adressat

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/adʁɛˈzaːt/

🎯 What exactly is an Adressat?

Der Adressat (masculine) refers to the person or institution to whom a shipment (e.g., a letter, a package) or a message is directed. So, it's the recipient or addressee.

• Main meaning: Recipient of mail or a message.
• Context: Often used in postal services, logistics, and formal communication.

🚨 Attention: The word is masculine. The feminine form is die Adressatin.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Adressat

The noun „Adressat“ is masculine and follows the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it takes the ending „-en“ in all cases except the nominative singular.

Declension of 'der Adressat'

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nominativ: Der Adressat war nicht zu Hause, als der Postbote kam.
   (The addressee wasn't home when the mail carrier arrived.)
2. Genitiv: Die Unterschrift des Adressaten fehlte auf dem Formular.
   (The addressee's signature was missing on the form.)
3. Dativ: Ich habe dem Adressaten das Paket persönlich übergeben.
   (I handed the package over to the addressee personally.)
4. Akkusativ: Bitte informieren Sie den Adressaten über die geänderte Lieferzeit.
   (Please inform the addressee about the changed delivery time.)
5. Plural: Die Briefe erreichten alle Adressaten pünktlich.
   (The letters reached all addressees on time.)

✉️ How to use 'Adressat'?

The term „Adressat“ is primarily used in formal contexts, especially related to:

• Mail and Logistics: When referring to the recipient of letters, parcels, or other shipments.
• Official Communication: In official letters or business correspondence.
• Linguistics/Communication Theory: Here, der Adressat refers to the receiver of a linguistic utterance.

In everyday language, the synonym „Empfänger“ is often preferred as it sounds slightly less formal.

Comparison:

• Adressat: More formal, emphasizes the role as the target of a shipment/message.
• Empfänger: More neutral and common in daily use (meaning recipient).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic (der): Think of der Mann (the man) who receives the mail. An Adressat is often a specific person (masculine), hence der Adressat.

Meaning Mnemonic (Recipient/Addressee): An Adressat is someone who is at the address to receive something. Or: the one who hat (German 'has') the address.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful with distinctions: While Adressat and Empfänger are often interchangeable, Rezipient has a broader application (e.g., recipient of art).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Postbote: „Ist hier der Adressat Müller?“
Antwortet ein Mann: „Nein, ich bin nur der Empfänger. Müller ist mein Nachname!“

Translation:
The mail carrier asks: "Is Mr. Addressee Müller here?"
A man replies: "No, I'm just the recipient. Müller is my last name!" (A play on words, as if 'Adressat' were a first name).

📜 A Little Poem

Ein Brief reist weit, durch Wind und Regen,
Sein Ziel ist klar, auf allen Wegen.
Er sucht den Mann, ganz akkurat,
Den auf dem Umschlag steh'nden Adressat.
Er klopft nun an, die Spannung steigt,
Bis ihm der Empfänger die Tür aufzeigt.

Translation:
A letter travels far, through wind and rain,
Its goal is clear, on every lane.
It seeks the man, quite accurate,
The one named on the envelope: the Adressat (addressee).
It now knocks, excitement takes flight,
Until the recipient shows the door to light.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich stehe auf dem Umschlag drauf,
Und nehme Päckchen gern in Kauf.
Der Absender schickt's mir ins Haus,
Wer bin ich? Sag's mir, komm heraus!

Translation:
I'm written on the envelope's face,
And gladly accept packages at my place.
The sender sends it to my house,
Who am I? Tell me, don't grouse!

Solution: Der Adressat (The addressee/recipient)

💡 Other Information

• Word Formation: The word derives from French „adresse“ and the suffix „-at“ (denoting a person performing an action). It is closely related to the verb „adressieren“ (to address something to someone).
• Feminine Form: The feminine form is „die Adressatin“. Example: Die Adressatin konnte nicht ermittelt werden. (The female addressee could not be identified.)
• Plural Usage: The plural „die Adressaten“ is used when referring to multiple recipients. Example: Die Einladungen wurden an alle Adressaten verschickt. (The invitations were sent to all addressees.)