der  Gesellschafter

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈzɛlʃaftɐ/

💼 What exactly is a Gesellschafter?

Der Gesellschafter refers to a person (usually male) who is legally and economically involved in a Gesellschaft (a company or corporation). He or she holds shares (Anteile) in this company and thus participates in its success (Gewinn - profit) or failure (Verlust - loss).

• Typical legal forms: The term Gesellschafter is particularly used for partnerships (e.g., GbR, OHG, KG) and corporations (e.g., GmbH - limited liability company). For a public limited company (Aktiengesellschaft - AG), the shareholders are more commonly called Aktionäre.
• Role: Gesellschafter can have different rights (Rechte) and obligations (Pflichten), depending on the company's legal form and the partnership agreement (Gesellschaftsvertrag). They can be actively involved in management (geschäftsführender Gesellschafter - managing partner) or solely provide capital (stiller Gesellschafter - silent partner).

🚨 Important: The feminine form is die Gesellschafterin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Gesellschafter

The noun „Gesellschafter“ is masculine. Its article is der.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Short Example Sentences

1. Der Gesellschafter unterzeichnete den Vertrag. (The partner signed the contract. - Nominative Singular)
2. Die Unterschrift des Gesellschafters ist entscheidend. (The partner's signature is crucial. - Genitive Singular)
3. Wir danken dem Gesellschafter für sein Vertrauen. (We thank the partner for his trust. - Dative Singular)
4. Wir suchen den Gesellschafter, der die Mehrheit hält. (We are looking for the partner who holds the majority. - Accusative Singular)
5. Die Gesellschafter treffen sich zur Versammlung. (The partners meet for the assembly. - Nominative Plural)
6. Die Entscheidung der Gesellschafter steht noch aus. (The partners' decision is still pending. - Genitive Plural)
7. Die Informationen wurden den Gesellschaftern mitgeteilt. (The information was communicated to the partners. - Dative Plural)

🌐 How to use 'Gesellschafter'?

• Business & Law (Wirtschaft & Recht): The term is firmly established in business and corporate law. It's used in contracts (Verträge), balance sheets (Bilanzen), commercial register excerpts (Handelsregisterauszüge), and legal discussions.
• Companies (Unternehmen): In the daily life of companies with multiple owners, the term is central, e.g., during shareholder meetings (Gesellschafterversammlungen) or when distributing responsibilities.
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish der Gesellschafter from der Geschäftsführer (managing director, who doesn't necessarily have to be a shareholder) or der Aktionär (shareholder in an AG/public limited company). Der Teilhaber is often synonymous but can sometimes imply a less formal participation.
• Formality: The term is mostly used in formal contexts. In casual conversation, one might rather say „mein Partner“ (my partner) or „mein Kompagnon“ (my business partner).

🧠 How to remember 'der Gesellschafter'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of der Mann (the man) who is part of a Gesellschaft (company/society) and *schafft* (creates/works) something there – that's der Gesellschafter.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: A Gesellschafter is someone who joins (sich gesellt zu) the company, becoming part of the group and holding shares. Imagine someone saying "Hi, *Gesell*!" (old word for companion/fellow) as they join the company meeting.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms for Gesellschafter

⚠️ Similar, but different terms:

• Geschäftsführer: Managing director; runs the operations, but doesn't have to be a Gesellschafter.
• Aktionär: Shareholder of a public limited company (AG).

😄 A little joke

Fragt ein Gesellschafter den anderen: „Sag mal, warum investieren wir eigentlich in eine Bäckerei?“ Antwortet der andere: „Na, damit wir endlich mal unsere eigenen Brötchen verdienen – und nicht nur die Anteile daran!“

English: One partner asks the other: "Say, why are we actually investing in a bakery?" The other replies: "Well, so we can finally earn our own bread – and not just the shares in it!" (Plays on the idiom "seine Brötchen verdienen" - to earn one's living/bread).

✍️ A Poem about the Gesellschafter

Der Gesellschafter, klug und schlau,
Investiert ins Unternehmen, ganz genau.
Trägt Risiko, hofft auf Gewinn,
Ist mittendrin, von Anbeginn.
Mal Chef, mal stiller Mann im Hintergrund,
Für die Firma tut er alles kund.
Mit Vertrag und seinem Kapital,
Ist seine Rolle sehr zentral.

English:
The partner, clever, smart, and keen,
Invests within the company scene.
Bears the risk, hopes for the gain,
Right in the middle, again and again.
Sometimes boss, sometimes silent might,
For the firm, he does what's right.
With contract and his capital,
His role is truly pivotal.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Angestellter, doch Teil vom Plan,
im Geschäft steh' ich oft mit vornean.
Ich teile Freud und manchmal Leid,
bin an der Firma stets beteiligt, weit und breit.
Mein Artikel ist 'der', wer weiß Bescheid?

English:
I'm not an employee, but part of the plan,
In business, I'm often a leading man.
I share the joy and sometimes pain,
In the company, I always remain.
My article is 'der', who knows my name?

Solution: Der Gesellschafter (The shareholder/partner)

💡 More about the Gesellschafter

• Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word is composed of Gesellschaft (meaning society, association, or company) and the suffix -er, which denotes a person associated with something or performing an action.
• Feminine Form (Weibliche Form): The explicit feminine form is die Gesellschafterin. The plural form (die Gesellschafter) often includes all genders, but the use of Gesellschafterinnen und Gesellschafter or gender-neutral formulations is increasing.
• International: Equivalents in English include partner (especially for partnerships like GbR, OHG, KG), shareholder (more for corporations, esp. AG/public limited companies), or member (e.g., for LLCs in the US).