der
Bieter
🧐 What exactly is a Bieter?
Der Bieter is a masculine noun referring to a person (male or unspecified gender in some contexts, but grammatically always masculine) who submits a Gebot (bid or offer), typically at an Auktion (auction), in a Ausschreibung (tender/bidding process), or a similar competitive procedure to acquire something or win a contract.
It refers to an individual or a company that makes a binding offer to pay a certain price for goods or services, or to perform a service for a specified price.
- The feminine form is die Bieterin.
- The plural form is die Bieter.
⚠️ Note: The word specifically relates to the act of bidding in a formal or competitive context.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-er → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. almost all -euer nouns are neutral. 3. There are many -er words, we don't list them all.
📜 Grammar Spotlight: Der Bieter
The noun Bieter is masculine and follows the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination). This means it adds an "-n" ending in all cases except the nominative singular.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Bieter |
| Genitive | des | Bietern |
| Dative | dem | Bietern |
| Accusative | den | Bietern |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Bieter |
| Genitive | der | Bieter |
| Dative | den | Bietern |
| Accusative | die | Bieter |
Example Sentences ✍️
- Der Bieter mit dem höchsten Gebot erhielt den Zuschlag.
(The bidder with the highest bid won the auction/contract.) - Das Angebot des letzten Bieters war nicht ausreichend.
(The offer of the last bidder was not sufficient.) - Wir haben dem erfolgreichen Bieter bereits gratuliert.
(We have already congratulated the successful bidder.) - Der Auktionator beobachtete den nervösen Bieter genau.
(The auctioneer observed the nervous bidder closely.) - Viele Bieter waren an dem Kunstwerk interessiert.
(Many bidders were interested in the artwork.)
🗣️ How to use "Bieter"?
The term Bieter is mainly used in economic and legal contexts:
- Auktionen/Versteigerungen (Auctions): Here, der Bieter is the person placing bids to buy an item. (Example: Der Bieter erhöhte sein Gebot in letzter Sekunde. - The bidder raised his bid at the last second.)
- Ausschreibungen (Tenders, public or private): Companies or individuals submitting offers to carry out a project or supply goods/services are called Bieter. (Example: Mehrere Bieter haben sich um den Bauauftrag beworben. - Several bidders applied for the construction contract.)
- Vertragsverhandlungen (Contract negotiations): Sometimes the term is used more generally for a party making an offer.
Related terms:
- Gebot: The bid or offer made by a Bieter.
- bieten: The verb; to bid or to offer.
- Anbieter: Often used synonymously, especially for tenders, but can also more generally mean someone who offers something (even without competition).
- Bewerber: Similar, but often used more in the context of job applications or university admissions.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic (der)
Think: A Bieter is often a man (masculine -> der) who actively bietet (offers) something. Picture a man (der Mann) raising his hand at an auction.
Meaning Mnemonic
A Bieter 'bids' or 'offers' money or a service. The verb bieten (to bid/offer) is right inside the word: biet-en -> Bieter. He wants something and 'bids' for it.
↔️ Opposites and Similarities: Bieter
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Anbieter: Provider/supplier/offeror (often synonymous, especially in tenders).
- Interessent: Interested party (can be a bidder, but doesn't have to be).
- Mitbieter / Mitbietender: Fellow bidder.
- Bewerber (context-dependent): Applicant (sometimes synonymous in tenders).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Verkäufer / Anbieter (in auction context): Seller / vendor (the party offering something for sale).
- Auktionator: Auctioneer (the person conducting the auction).
- Auftraggeber: Client/principal (the party initiating a tender and awarding the contract).
Potential for Confusion ⚠️
- Beter: Someone who prays (from beten). Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning!
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Auktionator: "Wer bietet mehr für dieses unsichtbare Kunstwerk?"
Meldet sich ein Bieter: "Ich nicht, ich hab's nicht gesehen!"
Translation:
The auctioneer asks: "Who bids more for this invisible artwork?"
A bidder replies: "Not me, I haven't seen it!"
✍️ Poem about the Bieter
Im Saale steigt die Spannung hoch,
Der Hammer fällt – wer wagt es noch?
Ein Nicken hier, ein Zeichen dort,
Der Bieter spricht das letzte Wort.
Er hofft, er bangt, sein Herz schlägt schnell,
Gewinnt er heut' das Auktions-Duell?
Translation:
In the hall, the tension rises high,
The hammer falls – who still dares try?
A nod right here, a signal there,
The bidder speaks the final word with flare.
He hopes, he fears, his heart beats fast,
Will the auction duel be won at last?
🧩 Who am I? A Riddle
Ich hebe meine Hand oder klicke geschwind,
Auf dass ich den Zuschlag für mich gewinn'.
Bei Auktion und Ausschreibung bin ich dabei,
Mein Angebot ist selten einerlei.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I raise my hand or click with speed,
Hoping that my offer will succeed.
At auctions and tenders, I play my part,
My submitted offer sets me apart.
Who am I?
Solution: Der Bieter (The Bidder)
ℹ️ Additional Information
Word Composition:
The word Bieter is derived from the verb bieten (to bid, to offer). It consists of the verb stem biet- and the suffix -er, which typically denotes an agent (someone performing the action of the verb).
- bieten (to offer, make a bid) + -er (suffix for a male person/agent) = der Bieter
Feminine Form:
The corresponding feminine form is created by adding the suffix -in: die Bieterin.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bieter?
The word "Bieter" is always masculine. The correct article is der (der Bieter, des Bieters/Bietern, dem Bieter/Bietern, den Bieter/Bietern). It refers to a (male or unspecified gender) person who makes a bid.