der
Eigentümer
📖 What does "der Eigentümer" mean?
Der Eigentümer refers to a male person (or a person of unspecified gender in the generic masculine form) to whom something legally belongs. This person has the comprehensive right to dispose of their property (*Eigentum*), such as a house, a car, or a business.
It's important to distinguish der Eigentümer (*owner*) from der Besitzer (*possessor*): *Der Besitzer* has actual physical control over an item (they currently possess it), while *der Eigentümer* is the legal owner.
Example: A tenant (*der Mieter*) is the Besitzer of an apartment, but the landlord (*der Vermieter*) is the Eigentümer.
The feminine form is die Eigentümerin (*female owner*).
Since there's only the article "der" for this specific meaning, the assignment is clear.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Male characters → always masculine.
Caution: Most professions also have their feminine forms (e.g. die Polizistin). Some words can also have two forms: der/die Deutsche, der/die Kranke.
-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 of "Eigentümer" in Detail
"Eigentümer" is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Eigentümer | (Subject) |
| Genitive | des | Eigentümers | (Possessive) |
| Dative | dem | Eigentümer | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | den | Eigentümer | (Direct Object) |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Eigentümer | (Subject) |
| Genitive | der | Eigentümer | (Possessive) |
| Dative | den | Eigentümern | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | die | Eigentümer | (Direct Object) |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Eigentümer des Hauses wohnt im Ausland.
(The owner of the house lives abroad.) - Das Fahrrad des Eigentümers wurde gestohlen.
(The owner's bicycle was stolen.) - Ich habe dem Eigentümer die Miete überwiesen.
(I transferred the rent to the owner.) - Die Polizei sucht den Eigentümer des gefundenen Portemonnaies.
(The police are looking for the owner of the found wallet.) - Die Eigentümer der Firma trafen sich zur Besprechung.
(The owners of the company met for a meeting.) - Die Entscheidung liegt bei den Eigentümern.
(The decision rests with the owners.)
💡 Usage Notes: Der Eigentümer in Context
The word der Eigentümer is primarily used in legal and economic contexts when discussing ownership.
- Real Estate (*Immobilien*): The *Eigentümer* of a plot of land, house, or apartment.
- Vehicles (*Fahrzeuge*): The *Eigentümer* of a car, bicycle, or boat.
- Businesses (*Unternehmen*): The *Eigentümer* of a company or shares.
- Intellectual Property (*Geistiges Eigentum*): The *Eigentümer* of a patent or copyright (although more specific terms like *Inhaber* - holder - are often used here).
🚨 Important Distinction: As mentioned before, the difference between *Eigentümer* (legal ownership) and *Besitzer* (actual possession/control) is crucial. Don't confuse these terms!
Example: If you borrow a book from the library, you are the Besitzer of the book (for the loan period), but the library remains the Eigentümerin (female owner).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Mnemonic for the Article (der)
Many words for male persons in German use der (like *der Mann*, *der Vater*). Think of der EigenTÜRmER as *THE* guy who owns the *DOOR* (*Tür*) to his *property*.
Mnemonic for the Meaning (Owner)
Break it down: Eigen sounds like "I own". An Eigentümer is someone who can say "It's my own!" He is the *owner*.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Eigentümer
Synonyms (Similar Words)
- Inhaber: *Holder* or *proprietor*. Often used synonymously, sometimes more specific (e.g., *Inhaber* of a shop).
- Besitzer: ⚠️ Careful, means *possessor* (actual control), not necessarily legal *owner*!
- Herr (über etwas): *Master (of something)*. A bit dated, emphasizes control (e.g., *Herr des Hauses* - master of the house).
- Eigner: *Owner*. Shorter form, often used in shipping (*Schiffseigner* - ship owner) or for businesses (*Firmeneigner* - company owner).
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Mieter: *Tenant*, someone who rents something (e.g., an apartment).
- Pächter: *Lessee* or *tenant farmer*, someone who rents something and is allowed to profit from it (e.g., farmland).
- Besitzer (in context): The *possessor* when they are not the *owner*.
- Nichteigentümer: *Non-owner*, a general term for someone who doesn't own the item.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Geben Sie zu, das Auto gestohlen zu haben?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nein, Herr Richter! Ich dachte, der Eigentümer wäre nicht mehr interessiert. Der Schlüssel steckte und die Tür war offen!"
Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Do you admit to stealing the car?"
The defendant replies: "No, Your Honor! I thought the owner wasn't interested anymore. The key was in the ignition and the door was open!"
✍️ Poem about the Owner
Dem Mann gehört das Haus, so sagt's das Recht,
Der Eigentümer ist er, echt und schlecht
Kann keiner ihm das nehmen, 's ist verbrieft,
Sein Wille zählt, was er auch immer rief.
Er kann vermieten, wohnen oder lassen,
Sein Eigentum, er kann es nicht verpassen.
Translation:
The house belongs to the man, so says the law,
He is the owner, truly, without flaw.
No one can take it from him, it's decreed,
His will counts, whatever he has plead.
He can rent, live in it, or let it be,
His property, he holds the key.
❓ Riddle: Who am I?
Ich habe den Schlüssel, nicht nur zur Tür,
Mir gehört die Sache, das glaube mir.
Der Mieter zahlt, der Nutzer sitzt drin,
Doch wem gehört's am Ende, macht das Sinn?
Im Grundbuch steh' ich, mit Namen und Recht.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I have the key, not just to the door,
The thing belongs to me, believe me for sure.
The tenant pays, the user sits inside,
But who owns it in the end, does that make sense, worldwide?
In the land register I stand, with name and right.
Who am I?
Solution: Der Eigentümer (The Owner)
🧩 Other Interesting Details
Word Composition (*Wortzusammensetzung*):
The word "Eigentümer" is composed of:
- eigen: Adjective meaning 'own', 'belonging to oneself'.
- -tum: A suffix indicating a state or collective (like in Reichtum - wealth, Christentum - Christianity). Here it signifies the state of having something as one's own.
- -er: Suffix used to form masculine personal nouns.
Feminine Form (*Weibliche Form*): The explicit feminine form is "die Eigentümerin". The plural is "die Eigentümerinnen".
Legal Significance (*Rechtliche Bedeutung*): The term is central to the German Civil Code (*Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch* - BGB), particularly in § 903 BGB, which defines the powers of the owner.
Summary: is it der, die or das Eigentümer?
The word "Eigentümer" is masculine and always takes the article der. The feminine form is "die Eigentümerin".