der
Lieferant
🚚 What does "der Lieferant" mean?
Der Lieferant refers to a person or company that delivers goods, products, or services to a customer (often another company or organization). It's a central term in trade, logistics, and business.
- Meaning 1: A (male) person whose job is to deliver.
- Meaning 2: A company or organization acting as a supplier.
🚨 Note: The feminine form is die Lieferantin (the female supplier).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ant → mostly masculine.
📐 Grammar of "der Lieferant" in Detail
The word "Lieferant" is a masculine noun. It belongs to the group of weak nouns (n-declension). This means it takes the ending "-en" in all cases except the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Lieferant |
| Genitive | des | Lieferanten |
| Dative | dem | Lieferanten |
| Accusative | den | Lieferanten |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Lieferanten |
| Genitive | der | Lieferanten |
| Dative | den | Lieferanten |
| Accusative | die | Lieferanten |
Example Sentences
- Der Lieferant brachte die bestellten Büromaterialien. (The supplier brought the ordered office supplies.)
- Wir warten auf eine Bestätigung des Lieferanten. (We are waiting for confirmation from the supplier.)
- Die Rechnung wurde dem Lieferanten bereits bezahlt. (The invoice has already been paid to the supplier.)
- Wir haben den Lieferanten gebeten, schneller zu liefern. (We asked the supplier to deliver faster.)
- Mehrere Lieferanten bewerben sich um den Auftrag. (Several suppliers are applying for the contract.)
🗣️ How is "Lieferant" used?
"Lieferant" is primarily used in a business and economic context. It describes the role of a provider within a supply chain.
- B2B (Business-to-Business): A company supplies raw materials, parts, or services to another company. (Example: An automotive parts provider is a Lieferant for a car manufacturer.)
- B2C (Business-to-Consumer): Although less commonly called this directly, a retailer delivering directly to end customers can also be considered a Lieferant, often in the context of delivery services (e.g., Essenslieferant - food delivery person/service).
Distinction from similar terms:
- Händler (dealer/retailer): Buys goods (often from Lieferanten) and resells them. The focus is more on selling.
- Hersteller (manufacturer): Produces the goods themselves. Can be a Lieferant at the same time.
- Spediteur/Frachtführer (forwarder/carrier): Transports the goods, but isn't necessarily the seller or producer of the goods.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Lieferant"
- For the article: Think "Der delivers". Many male job titles are masculine (der). Der Lieferant.
- For the meaning: A Lieferant delivers relevant goods. The "-ant" ending sounds like 'aunt', but think of the *ant* carrying things – like a supplier delivering goods. Or, a Liefer*ant* is someone you re*ly on*t' deliver.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Lieferant
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Der Zulieferer: Very common synonym, often in an industrial context (sub-supplier).
- Der Anbieter: General term for someone providing something (goods, services) (provider, offeror).
- Der Versorger: Often for utilities (energy, water), but also more general (supplier, provider).
- Der Zusteller: More specific to the person physically handing over the goods (delivery person).
- Der Händler: Overlap possible, but Händler often buys for resale (dealer, merchant, retailer).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Der Kunde: Person or company receiving and paying for the goods/service (customer, client).
- Der Abnehmer: The one taking/receiving the goods (purchaser, buyer, customer).
- Der Empfänger: Person or entity to whom something is delivered (recipient).
- Der Besteller: The one who ordered the goods or service (orderer).
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse with "der Praktikant" (intern) or "der Emigrant" (emigrant).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den Lieferanten: "Warum sind Ihre Lieferungen immer so pünktlich?"
Antwortet der Lieferant: "Ich habe eine Uhr – die geht mir auf die Nerven, wenn ich zu spät bin!" 🕰️
(Translation: The boss asks the supplier: "Why are your deliveries always so punctual?"
The supplier answers: "I have a watch – it gets on my nerves if I'm late!")
📜 Poem about the Supplier
Der Lieferant, mit schnellem Schritt,
Bringt Waren und nimmt Pakete mit.
Ob groß, ob klein, ob schwer, ob leicht,
Sein Ziel wird pünktlich stets erreicht.
Vom Lagerhaus bis an die Tür,
Er sorgt für Nachschub, glaubt es mir!
(Translation: The supplier, with a quick step, / Brings goods and takes packages along. / Whether big or small, heavy or light, / His goal is always reached on time. / From the warehouse to the door, / He ensures supply, believe me!)
❓ Riddle
Ich bringe, was bestellt und rar,
Von Haus zu Haus, Jahr für Jahr.
Ich trage Kisten, Säcke, Post,
Und sorge dafür, dass nichts verrost'.
Bin weder Käufer noch Produzent,
Wer bin ich wohl? Na klar, der...?
(Translation: I bring what's ordered and rare, / From house to house, year after year. / I carry boxes, bags, mail, / And ensure that nothing gets stale. / I'm neither buyer nor producer, friend, / Who am I? Of course, the...? )
Solution: Lieferant (supplier)
💡 Other Information
- Word Formation: The word derives from the verb "liefern" (to deliver). The suffix "-ant" often comes from Latin or French and indicates an acting person or thing.
- Feminine Form: The feminine form is "die Lieferantin" (the female supplier).
- Compounds: Common in compound nouns like "Hauptlieferant" (main supplier), "Zulieferer" (sub-supplier), "Stammlieferant" (regular supplier), "Lieferantenvertrag" (supplier contract), "Lieferantenmanagement" (supplier management).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Lieferant?
The word "Lieferant" is always masculine. The correct article is der: der Lieferant. It describes a person or company that delivers goods or services.