der  Empfänger

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛmpˈfɛŋɐ/

🔍 What does "der Empfänger" mean?

The word der Empfänger has several meanings, but always refers to someone or something that receives or picks up something:

• Person: A person who receives something (e.g., a letter, a package, a message, a payment, a benefit). This is the recipient.
• Device/Technology: A technical device that picks up and processes signals (e.g., radio, television, radio signals) or data. This is the receiver.

Although it only has the article der, it's important to understand the context to grasp the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of "der Empfänger" in Detail

Der Empfänger is a masculine noun. It is declined as follows:

💡 Example Sentences for Grammar

1. Der Empfänger des Briefes war nicht zu Hause. (The recipient of the letter was not at home. - Nominative Singular, Person)
2. Die Adresse des Empfängers war unvollständig. (The recipient's address was incomplete. - Genitive Singular, Person)
3. Ich übergebe das Paket dem Empfänger persönlich. (I hand over the package to the recipient personally. - Dative Singular, Person)
4. Bitte informieren Sie den Empfänger über die Verzögerung. (Please inform the recipient about the delay. - Accusative Singular, Person)
5. Die Empfänger der E-Mails wurden benachrichtigt. (The recipients of the emails were notified. - Nominative Plural, Persons)
6. Der Fernseher hat einen integrierten Empfänger für digitales Fernsehen. (The TV has an integrated receiver for digital television. - Accusative Singular, Device)
7. Die Signale werden an die Empfänger gesendet. (The signals are sent to the receivers. - Accusative Plural, Devices)

🗣️ How to use "der Empfänger"?

The usage heavily depends on the context:

• Mail/Logistics: Here, der Empfänger is the person or company to whom a shipment is addressed. Example: „Bitte den Namen des Empfängers deutlich schreiben.“ (Please write the recipient's name clearly.)
• Communication: The Empfänger of a message (email, text, verbal communication). Example: „Der Empfänger hat die Nachricht gelesen.“ (The recipient has read the message.)
• Finance: The Empfänger of a payment or bank transfer. Example: „Kontonummer des Empfängers eingeben.“ (Enter the recipient's account number.)
• Social Benefits: The Empfänger of social welfare, unemployment benefits, etc. Example: „Die Zahl der Hartz-IV-Empfänger ist gesunken.“ (The number of Hartz IV recipients has decreased.)
• Technology: A device that receives signals (radio, TV, GPS, WLAN-Empfänger). Example: „Der Radioempfänger hat einen guten Klang.“ (The radio receiver has good sound.)

⚠️ Important: The feminine form is die Empfängerin (plural: die Empfängerinnen).

🧠 Memory Aids for "der Empfänger"

For the article: Imagine der Briefträger (the mailman, masculine) brings mail for den Herrn (the gentleman, masculine), who is der Empfänger. Or think of technical devices, which are often grammatically masculine in German (der Fernseher - the TV, der Computer - the computer, der Empfänger - the receiver).

For the meaning: The word comes from „empfangen“ (to receive). The Empfänger is the one who empfängt (receives) something. The syllable „fang“ is also in „fangen“ (to catch) – he catches the message, the package, or the signal.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Similar sounding, but different: Don't confuse with Anfänger (beginner).

😄 A Little Joke

Der Postbote fragt den kleinen Timmy: „Ist deine Mama zu Hause?“
(The postman asks little Timmy: "Is your mom home?")
Timmy: „Ja, klar!“
(Timmy: "Yes, sure!")
Der Postbote klingelt Sturm, aber niemand öffnet.
(The postman rings the bell insistently, but nobody answers.)
Wütend sagt er: „Du hast doch gesagt, deine Mama ist da!“
(Angrily, he says: "But you said your mom was here!")
Timmy: „Stimmt ja auch, aber wir wohnen hier nicht!“
(Timmy: "That's true, but we don't live here!")
(The poor postman got the wrong Empfänger!)

📜 A Little Poem

Der Sender schickt's auf weite Reise,
(The sender sends it on a long journey,)
Per Funk, per Post, auf leise Weise.
(By radio, by mail, in a quiet way.)
Gespannt und wartend, hier am Ort,
(Excited and waiting, here at the place,)
Steht der Empfänger, nimmt's an Bord.
(Stands the recipient, takes it on board.)
Ob Nachricht, Welle oder Gut,
(Whether message, wave, or goods,)
Er fängt es auf mit frohem Mut.
(He catches it with cheerful courage.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch nehm' ich Botschaft an.
(I have no mouth, yet I accept messages.)
Ich habe keine Hand, doch halt' ich fest, was kommen kann.
(I have no hand, yet I hold fast what may come.)
Ob Brief, ob Funk, ob Päckchen klein,
(Whether letter, radio wave, or little package,)
Wer oder was mag ich wohl sein?
(Who or what might I be?)

Solution: Der Empfänger (The recipient/receiver)

💡 Other Information

• Word Formation: The word is derived from the verb „empfangen“ (to receive) with the suffix „-er“, which often denotes a person performing an action or a device.
• Feminine Form: The explicit feminine form is „die Empfängerin“.
• Compounds: Frequently used in compound words like Funkempfänger (radio receiver), Leistungsempfänger (benefit recipient), Datenempfänger (data receiver), Organempfänger (organ recipient), Befehlsempfänger (order recipient/subordinate).