der  Client

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kliˈɛnt/

🤔 What exactly is a 'Client'?

The word der Client is a noun borrowed from English and primarily has two meanings in German:

1. In a business context: A client or customer, especially in the service sector (e.g., for a lawyer, consultant, advertising agency). Here, the German words Kunde or Auftraggeber are often used as well.

2. In a technical/IT context: A computer program or an end device (like a PC, laptop, or smartphone) that accesses services provided by a central server (e.g., e-mail client, web client). In this context, it's the counterpart to the Server.

⚠️ Although it originates from English, it is treated as a masculine noun in German ("der Client").

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'der Client'

"Client" is a masculine noun. It is declined as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

• Business: Der Anwalt bespricht den Fall mit seinem Clienten. (The lawyer discusses the case with his client.)
• Technical: Der E-Mail-Client konnte keine Verbindung zum Server herstellen. (The e-mail client could not connect to the server.)
• Plural: Die Agentur betreut viele internationale Clienten. (The agency serves many international clients.)
• Technical Plural: Alle Clienten im Netzwerk müssen aktualisiert werden. (All clients on the network need to be updated.)

💡 Everyday Usage: When to say 'Client'?

The use of der Client strongly depends on the context:

• Business/Service: Here, "Client" is often interchangeable with "Kunde" (customer) or "Auftraggeber" (principal, commissioner). It sometimes sounds a bit more formal or specific to certain industries like consulting, law, or agencies. Example: "Unser wichtigster Client hat den Vertrag verlängert." ("Our most important client has extended the contract.")
• Technology/IT: In this field, "Client" is a standard technical term referring to the software or hardware accessing a server. Confusion with "Kunde" is unlikely here. Example: "Bitte installieren Sie den neuesten Client für die Software." ("Please install the latest client for the software.")

In general everyday German, the word Kunde is more common. "Client" feels more specific and often more international.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Aid: Think of der Customer or der User - many masculine nouns for people seem to have 'der'. So does der Client.

Meaning Aid (IT): The Client is like someone clicking to get something from the server. It requests information or services.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Client

⚠️ Similar Words:

Be careful not to confuse "Client" with words like "Klinik" (clinic), which might sound similar.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Server den Client: "Na, alles klar bei dir?"
Sagt der Client: "Ja, aber ich hätte gerne noch ein paar Daten. Kannst du mir die rüberreichen?"
Server: "Klar, aber nur, wenn du brav 'bitte' sagst!"

(Server asks the client: "Hey, everything alright?"
Client says: "Yes, but I'd like some more data. Can you pass it over?"
Server: "Sure, but only if you politely say 'please'!")

(Okay, more of an IT chuckle...) 😄

📜 Poem about 'der Client'

Der Client, mal Mensch, mal Code,
fragt an, ganz ohne Zorn und Spott.
Im Büro will er Rat und Tat,
Im Netz 'nen Dienst, ganz akkurat.

Der Server hört den Ruf, den leisen,
und schickt die Antwort auf die Reisen.
Ob Mensch, ob App, das ist egal,
der Client wartet - digital, real.

---

The Client, sometimes man, sometimes code,
requests, without anger or mocking load.
In the office, wants advice and deed,
Online a service, fulfilling a need.

The server hears the call, so low,
and sends the answer, lets it go.
Whether human or app, it matters not,
the client waits - digital, real, on the spot.

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

Ich kann ein Mensch sein, der bezahlt,
für Dienste, die man ihm gemalt,
beratend, helfend, Tag für Tag,
wie's der Vertrag genau besagt.

Ich kann auch Code sein, auf dem Gerät,
der stets nach neuen Daten späht.
Vom Server hol ich, was ich brauch,
so ist im Netz der alte Brauch.

Wer bin ich, mal aus Fleisch, mal Bit?
Im Deutschen männlich, das ist der Hit!

---

I can be a person who pays,
for services rendered in many ways,
advising, helping, day by day,
just as the contract might say.

I can also be code, on the device you see,
always looking for new data for me.
From the server, I get what I need,
that's the old custom online, indeed.

Who am I, sometimes flesh, sometimes bit?
In German, masculine - that's the hit!

(Answer: der Client)

🌐 Origin and Other Info

The word Client is a direct loanword from English, where it originally derives from the Latin word cliens (dependent, protégé). In German, it became established mainly through globalization in business and technology.