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.*)