der  Ansprechpartner

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanˌʃpʁaːxɐ/

🗣️ What does "der Ansprechpartner" mean?

Der Ansprechpartner is a masculine noun referring to a *contact person*, *point of contact*, or the *person responsible* for a specific topic, project, or department. It's the person you turn to with questions, concerns, or problems.

• Meaning: Contact person, responsible person, liaison (usually in a professional or official context).
• Article: The word is always masculine: der Ansprechpartner. The feminine form is die Ansprechpartnerin.

⚠️ It typically denotes a formally assigned role, not just someone you happen to talk to.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Ansprechpartner

The noun "Ansprechpartner" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Herr Müller ist der Ansprechpartner für technische Fragen.
   Mr. Müller is the contact person for technical questions. (Nominative Singular)
2. Ich habe die Kontaktdaten des Ansprechpartners erhalten.
   I received the contact details of the contact person. (Genitive Singular)
3. Bitte geben Sie die Unterlagen dem Ansprechpartner.
   Please give the documents to the contact person. (Dative Singular)
4. Können Sie mir bitte den Ansprechpartner nennen?
   Could you please name the contact person for me? (Accusative Singular)
5. Die Ansprechpartner treffen sich morgen zur Besprechung.
   The contact persons are meeting tomorrow for discussion. (Nominative Plural)
6. Die Aufgaben der Ansprechpartner sind klar definiert.
   The tasks of the contact persons are clearly defined. (Genitive Plural)
7. Wir danken den Ansprechpartnern für ihre Unterstützung.
   We thank the contact persons for their support. (Dative Plural)
8. Das Unternehmen sucht neue Ansprechpartner für den Vertrieb.
   The company is looking for new contact persons for sales. (Accusative Plural)

🎯 When to use "Ansprechpartner"?

"Ansprechpartner" is primarily used in *formal* or *professional* contexts:

• At Work: To designate the person responsible for a *project*, *department*, or *task*. Example: "Wer ist der Ansprechpartner für das Marketing-Budget?" (Who is the contact person for the marketing budget?)
• In Customer Service: To refer to the person who assists customers with *questions* or *problems*. Example: "Ihr persönlicher Ansprechpartner meldet sich in Kürze bei Ihnen." (Your personal contact person will contact you shortly.)
• In Organizations/Clubs: To identify the *point of contact* for specific areas or inquiries. Example: "Der Ansprechpartner für Neumitglieder ist Frau Schneider." (The contact person for new members is Ms. Schneider.)

It implies a certain level of responsibility and accountability. It's less commonly used in purely private settings, although theoretically possible (e.g., "Mein Vater ist der Ansprechpartner für Gartenfragen." - *My father is the contact person for garden questions.*). In private life, one might more likely say *"die Person, die sich darum kümmert"* (*the person who takes care of it*) or *"der Experte für..."* (*the expert for...*).

🧠 Mnemonics for "Ansprechpartner"

Article "der"

Think: A Partner in German compound nouns related to professions often defaults to the masculine form (unless *"-in"* is added). So, it's der Ansprechpartner. Picture a man (der Mann) you can *address* (*ansprechen*).

Meaning

Break down the word: Ansprech-Partner. It’s a Partner (a person) whom you can directly address (ansprechen) when you need something. They are your contact.

🔄 Synonyms & Related Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Wer ist eigentlich Ihr direkter Ansprechpartner bei Problemen?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Sie, Chef! Immer wenn ich ein Problem habe, sprechen Sie mich direkt an!"

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "Who is actually your direct contact person for problems?"
The employee replies: "You, boss! Whenever I have a problem, you address me directly!" (A play on words: 'ansprechen' means 'to address/speak to' someone, but Ansprechpartner means 'contact person'.)

📜 A Short Poem

Im Büro, groß und weit,
such' ich oft für lange Zeit.
Wer hilft mir, wer kennt sich aus?
Wer löst den Knoten, den Applaus?
Ach, fänd' ich ihn doch nur geschwind,
den Ansprechpartner, mein liebes Kind!

Translation:
In the office, large and wide,
I often search for a long time.
Who helps me, who knows their way around?
Who unties the knot, earns the applause?
Oh, if only I could find him quickly,
the contact person, my dear child!

🤔 Riddle

Ich bin kein Chef, doch oft gefragt,
wenn irgendwo der Schuh arg drückt oder plagt.
Für Projekte, Fragen, dies und das,
bin ich der Mensch, der weiß, wie's passt.
Man spricht mich an, ich geb' Bescheid.
Wer bin ich in der Arbeitszeit?

Translation:
I'm not a boss, but often asked,
when something pinches or bothers.
For projects, questions, this and that,
I am the person who knows how it fits.
People address me, I give information.
Who am I during working hours?

Solution: Der Ansprechpartner (The contact person)

🧩 Further Information

Word Composition

The word "Ansprechpartner" is a compound noun, composed of:

• ansprechen: A verb meaning *to address*, *to speak to*, or *to bring up a topic*.
• Partner (der): A *partner*, someone you collaborate with or are in a relationship with.

Together, it signifies a person you can *address* who acts as a *partner* (in the sense of a contact or responsible person).

Gender-Inclusive Language

Modern German increasingly emphasizes using the feminine form Ansprechpartnerin when referring to a woman, or using gender-neutral terms like Ansprechperson (contact person) or Kontaktperson (contact person).