der
Mitarbeiter
🧑💼 What exactly is a 'Mitarbeiter'?
Der Mitarbeiter (masculine) refers to a person who works in a company, organization, or for another person for payment or on another contractual basis. It's a general term for someone who collaborates or works alongside others, essentially an employee or co-worker.
Often, der Mitarbeiter is used generically to refer to people regardless of gender, especially in official contexts or when talking about a group (e.g., "Alle Mitarbeiter sind eingeladen" - 'All employees are invited'). The specifically feminine form is die Mitarbeiterin.
⚠️ Although the generic use is common, there's an ongoing discussion in German about gender-neutral language. Often, alternative formulations like "Mitarbeitende" (a substantivized participle meaning 'those who work together') or paired forms ("Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter") are preferred to explicitly include all genders.
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 at a Glance: Der Mitarbeiter
The noun "Mitarbeiter" is masculine and uses the article "der". It follows a pattern similar to n-declension for plural forms, but the singular is mostly regular (except no added -n in dative/accusative singular, unlike true n-declension nouns).
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Mitarbeiter | ein Mitarbeiter | the/an employee |
| Genitive | des Mitarbeiters | eines Mitarbeiters | of the/an employee |
| Dative | dem Mitarbeiter | einem Mitarbeiter | to/for the/an employee |
| Accusative | den Mitarbeiter | einen Mitarbeiter | the/an employee (direct object) |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Mitarbeiter | Mitarbeiter | the/employees |
| Genitive | der Mitarbeiter | Mitarbeiter | of the/employees |
| Dative | den Mitarbeitern | Mitarbeitern | to/for the/employees |
| Accusative | die Mitarbeiter | Mitarbeiter | the/employees (direct object) |
Note: The plural form is identical in Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative. Only the Dative plural adds an '-n'.
Example Sentences
- Der neue Mitarbeiter wurde heute vorgestellt.
(The new employee was introduced today.) - Das Gehalt des Mitarbeiters wurde angepasst.
(The employee's salary was adjusted.) - Wir haben dem Mitarbeiter zum Geburtstag gratuliert.
(We congratulated the employee on his birthday.) - Ich habe den Mitarbeiter gestern im Flur getroffen.
(I met the employee in the hallway yesterday.) - Die Mitarbeiter planen eine Betriebsfeier.
(The employees are planning an office party.) - Die Meinung der Mitarbeiter ist uns wichtig.
(The opinion of the employees is important to us.) - Der Chef dankte den Mitarbeitern für ihren Einsatz.
(The boss thanked the employees for their commitment.) - Das Unternehmen schätzt seine Mitarbeiter sehr.
(The company values its employees highly.)
🗣️ How 'Mitarbeiter' is Used
The term "Mitarbeiter" is very common in German-speaking countries, especially in professional contexts.
- Context: Primarily used in relation to employment (companies, authorities, organizations).
- Formality: Ranges from neutral to formal. In very casual conversations among colleagues, one might prefer "Kollege" / "Kollegin" (colleague).
- Distinctions:
- Kollege/Kollegin: More often refers to people at the same hierarchical level or on the same team, with whom one works directly. "Mitarbeiter" is more general and can include people in other departments or at different levels (from the perspective of the company or a supervisor).
- Angestellter/Angestellte: Emphasizes the employment status (often as opposed to civil servants - Beamte - or freelancers - freie Mitarbeiter). "Mitarbeiter" is often more inclusive.
- Beschäftigter/Beschäftigte: A very general term, often used in official or legal texts, meaning 'employed person'.
- Generic Masculine: As mentioned, "der Mitarbeiter" is often used generically for all genders, but this is increasingly debated. Alternatives include "Mitarbeitende" (those who work together) or explicitly mentioning both forms ("Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter").
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Mitarbeiter'
Article Mnemonic: Think of a typical male worker: DER mighty worker is a MitarbeiteR. The 'R' at the end might help you remember 'DER'. Alternatively, visualize a male employee working with (mit) others. He is the ('der') main worker.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Mit-arbeiter literally means 'with-worker' or 'co-worker'. Someone who arbeitet mit (works with/alongside) is a Mitarbeiter.
🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Angestellter: (Salaried) employee (often implies white-collar, contrasted with Arbeiter - blue-collar).
- Beschäftigter: Employed person (very general).
- Kollege: Colleague (often implies similar level/team).
- Arbeitnehmer: Employee (legal term, 'work taker').
- Belegschaftsmitglied: Member of the workforce/staff.
- Personal: Staff, personnel (collective noun).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Arbeitgeber: Employer ('work giver').
- Vorgesetzter: Supervisor, superior.
- Chef / Chefin: Boss.
- Dienstherr: Employing authority (esp. for civil servants).
Similar but Different Words:
😄 A Little Office Joke
Fragt der Chef einen neuen Mitarbeiter: "Wie lange möchten Sie hier arbeiten?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Am liebsten von 9 bis 5."
(Translation: The boss asks a new employee: "How long would you like to work here?" The employee answers: "Preferably from 9 to 5.")
📜 A Poem about the 'Mitarbeiter'
Am Schreibtisch, früh bis spät,
Ein Rad, das sich im Ganzen dreht.
Der Mitarbeiter, klug und flink,
Bringt Arbeit oft zum Gelingen.
Mal mit Kaffee, mal mit Tee,
Tut seine Pflicht, oh weh, oh weh?
Nein, oft mit Freude und Elan,
Ein wichtiger Teil im Unternehmensplan.
(Translation):
At the desk, from early till late,
A wheel that turns within the whole estate.
The employee, smart and quick,
Often makes the work click.
Sometimes with coffee, sometimes tea,
Does his duty, oh woe is me?
No, often with joy and zest,
An important part of the company's quest.
❓ Who am I? A Riddle
Ich arbeite mit, doch bin nicht frei,
Hab einen Vertrag, bin oft dabei.
Im Team oder allein, ich geb' mein Bestes,
Für Lohn und Gehalt, das ist des Festes.
Der Chef gibt Anweisung, ich führ' sie aus.
Wer bin ich?
(Translation):
I work along, but am not free,
Have a contract, you often see me.
In a team or alone, I give my best,
For wages and salary, that's the fest(ivity).
The boss gives orders, I carry them out.
Who am I?
(Solution: der Mitarbeiter / the employee)
🧩 Other Interesting Details
Word Composition
The word "Mitarbeiter" is a compound noun, formed from:
- mit- (prefix meaning 'with', 'together', 'co-')
- Arbeiter (noun derived from 'arbeiten' - to work, meaning 'worker')
So, it literally describes a person who 'works with' others.
Gender Aspects
As mentioned, "der Mitarbeiter" is the masculine form. The feminine form is "die Mitarbeiterin". The plural form "die Mitarbeiter" can refer to a group of men or a mixed-gender group (using the generic masculine).
Related Term
"Mitarbeit" (feminine, die) refers to the act or action of collaborating or contributing.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mitarbeiter?
The word 'Mitarbeiter' is masculine. The correct article is der Mitarbeiter. The feminine form is 'die Mitarbeiterin', and the plural is 'die Mitarbeiter'.