der / die  Angestellte

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaŋəʃtɛltə/

🧑‍💼 What does 'Angestellte' mean?

The word 'Angestellte' is a nominalized adjective (an adjective used as a noun) referring to a person who is employed and works for an employer. It changes based on gender, indicated by the article:

• der Angestellte: Refers to a male employee, typically performing commercial or administrative tasks (as opposed to an Arbeiter, who often does manual labor).
• die Angestellte: Refers to a female employee performing similar tasks.

These are individuals obligated by an employment contract (Dienstvertrag) to perform services for another party in return for payment (Entgelt). ⚠️ Attention: The plural form is 'die Angestellten' for a group (male, female, or mixed).

🧐 Grammar of 'Angestellte' in Detail

'Angestellte' is a nominalized past participle of the verb 'anstellen' (to employ) and is declined like an adjective. The declension depends on whether it's preceded by a definite article (schwache Deklination - weak declension), an indefinite article (gemischte Deklination - mixed declension), or no article (starke Deklination - strong declension).

Declension 'der Angestellte' (Masculine Singular)

Declension 'die Angestellte' (Feminine Singular)

Example Sentences

• Der neue Angestellte wurde heute vorgestellt.
  (*The new male employee was introduced today.*)
• Wir suchen eine erfahrene Angestellte für unser Team.
  (*We are looking for an experienced female employee for our team.*)
• Das Gehalt des Angestellten wurde erhöht.
  (*The male employee's salary was increased.*)
• Sie sprach mit einer freundlichen Angestellten am Empfang.
  (*She spoke with a friendly female employee at the reception.*)
• Als Angestellter hat man bestimmte Rechte und Pflichten.
  (*As an employee, one has certain rights and obligations.*)

💼 When to use 'Angestellte'?

The term 'Angestellte' (both male and female forms) is primarily used in a professional context to describe individuals in dependent employment, usually performing non-manual tasks (e.g., in an office, sales, administration).

• Typical Usage: In employment contracts (Arbeitsverträge), job advertisements (Stellenanzeigen), when describing a company's workforce (Belegschaft), in social security contexts.
• Distinction from other terms:
  • Arbeiter/Arbeiterin: Traditionally refers more to people performing predominantly physical or manual labor. This distinction is less rigid today but still present in common usage.
  • Beamter/Beamtin: Holds a position under public law (*öffentlich-rechtliches Dienst- und Treueverhältnis*), not a private employment contract like Angestellte.
  • Selbstständige/Freiberufler: Self-employed individuals or freelancers who work for their own account and are not employed by an employer.
• Context: You might hear 'kaufmännische Angestellte' (commercial employees), 'technische Angestellte' (technical employees), 'leitende Angestellte' (executive employees) etc., to specify the type of activity.

The plural 'die Angestellten' refers to multiple employees, either male, female, or a mixed group.

💡 Mnemonics for 'Angestellte'

For the articles (der/die): Remember that job titles often follow natural gender. Der Mann (the man) is der Angestellte, die Frau (the woman) is die Angestellte. The '-e' ending in the nominative singular (weak declension) is typical for nominalized adjectives for both genders here.

For the meaning: An Angestellte(r) is someone who is 'angestellt' (employed) by a company, meaning they have a Stelle (position/job). Imagine someone being 'gestellt' (placed) 'an' (at) a desk – they are now an employee, an Angestellte(r).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms:

• Arbeiter/Arbeiterin: Traditionally blue-collar worker (see usage).
• Beamter/Beamtin: Civil servant; public servant with a special status.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef einen neuen Angestellten: "Haben Sie Hobbys?"
Antwortet der Angestellte: "Ja, ich sammle Witze über Chefs."
Chef: "Aha, und haben Sie schon viele?"
Angestellter: "Ja, schon drei Aktenordner voll!"

Translation:
The boss asks a new employee: "Do you have any hobbies?"
The employee replies: "Yes, I collect jokes about bosses."
Boss: "Oh, and do you have many already?"
Employee: "Yes, three binders full!"

✍️ Poem about Employees

Ob der Angestellte, schick mit Schlips,
Ob die Angestellte, mit flotten Tipps.
Sie sitzen im Büro, tagaus, tagein,
Bringen die Firma auf Vordermann – fein!
Telefon klingelt, die Tastatur klackt,
Ein Meeting jagt das nächste, gut verpackt.
Am Monatsende, das ist doch klar,
Warten sie alle aufs Honorar.

Translation:
Whether the male employee, smart with a tie,
Or the female employee, with quick tips that fly.
They sit in the office, day out, day in,
Getting the company into shape – what a win!
The phone rings, the keyboard goes clickety-clack,
One meeting chases the next, no turning back.
At the end of the month, it's perfectly clear,
They all wait for their payment so dear.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe einen Chef, doch bin nicht Sklave.
Ich arbeite im Team, nicht nur als Knabe.
Ob Mann (der) ob Frau (die), wir teilen das Los,
Bekommen Gehalt – mal klein und mal groß.

Wer bin ich? (... Ein Angestellter / Eine Angestellte)

Translation:
I have a boss, but I'm not a slave.
I work in a team, not just as a knave.
Whether man (der) or woman (die), we share the fate,
Receive a salary – sometimes small, sometimes great.

Who am I? (... An employee (m/f))

ℹ️ Other Information

• Word Origin: 'Angestellte(r)' comes from the verb 'anstellen' (to employ, to hire), literally meaning 'to place someone into a position'. It's the nominalized past participle.
• Social Status: Historically, the term 'Angestellter' was often associated with a higher social status than 'Arbeiter' (worker), although this distinction is increasingly blurred today.
• Plural Form: The plural is 'die Angestellten'. Example: Alle Angestellten erhalten Weihnachtsgeld. (*All employees receive a Christmas bonus.*)