der  Mitbewerber

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmɪtbəˌveːbɐ/

🕵️ What exactly is a 'Mitbewerber'?

The German noun der Mitbewerber (masculine) refers to a person, group, or company that is in competition with another person, group, or company. It means competitor or rival, someone vying for the same goals, customers, resources, or market share.

Examples:

• Another company selling similar products.
• Another candidate applying for the same job.
• Another sports team in the same tournament.

The feminine form is die Mitbewerberin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of 'Mitbewerber' in Detail

The noun 'Mitbewerber' is masculine and follows the weak declension (N-Deklination). This means it takes an -(e)n ending in all cases except the nominative singular.

Example Sentences ✍️

1. Der Hauptmitbewerber hat ein neues Produkt vorgestellt. (The main competitor introduced a new product.)
2. Wir beobachten den stärksten Mitbewerbern genau. (We are watching the strongest competitor closely.)
3. Das Angebot wurde dem günstigsten Mitbewerbern erteilt. (The contract was awarded to the cheapest competitor.)
4. Die Strategie des Mitbewerberns ist aggressiv. (The competitor's strategy is aggressive.)
5. Die Mitbewerber auf dem Markt sind zahlreich. (The competitors in the market are numerous.)
6. Man muss die Mitbewerber immer im Auge behalten. (One must always keep an eye on the competitors.)
7. Wir stehen in Kontakt mit den Mitbewerbern. (We are in contact with the competitors.)
8. Die Produkte der Mitbewerber sind oft ähnlich. (The competitors' products are often similar.)

Context & How to Use 'Mitbewerber' 🧭

The term 'Mitbewerber' is primarily used in a business or economic context to describe competing companies.

• Economy: Unternehmen A ist ein starker Mitbewerber für Unternehmen B im Technologiesektor. (Company A is a strong competitor for Company B in the technology sector.)
• Job Market: Es gab viele qualifizierte Mitbewerber für die ausgeschriebene Stelle. (There were many qualified candidates/competitors for the advertised position.)
• Sports: Die Läuferin ließ ihre Mitbewerberinnen hinter sich. (The runner left her competitors behind. - Note the feminine form here)

Compared to Konkurrent, 'Mitbewerber' often sounds slightly more neutral or formal. Rivale can imply stronger, sometimes more personal, antagonism.

⚠️ Pay attention to the N-declension in the singular (except nominative)! A common mistake is forgetting the '-n' ending (e.g., writing *dem Mitbewerber* instead of *dem Mitbewerbern*).

Memory Aids 🧠

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'DER Mann' (the man) who is competing 'mit' (with) you. He's DER Mitbewerber. Often, men are seen as competitors (using a stereotype as a memory hook).

Meaning Mnemonic: Who is 'applying' or 'vying' (Bewerber) 'mit' (with) you for the same thing? Your Mit-bewerber (co-applicant/competitor).

Similar & Opposite: Words related to Mitbewerber 🔀

A Little Joke 😄

Fragt der Chef seinen Mitarbeiter: "Warum schauen Sie dauernd auf die Uhr?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Sie ist mein einziger Mitbewerber, der tatsächlich arbeitet, während ich hier sitze!"

Translation:

The boss asks his employee: "Why are you constantly looking at the clock?"
The employee replies: "It's my only competitor that actually works while I'm sitting here!"

Poem about the Competitor 📜

Der Markt ist ein Teich, recht tief und breit,
Und viele schwimmen mit der Zeit.
Man schaut nach links, man schaut nach rechts,
Wer bietet Bess'res oder Schlecht's?
Der Mitbewerber, stets präsent,
Macht das Geschäft erst virulent.
Man kämpft um Kunden, Preis und Ruhm,
Im Wirtschafts-Wettbewerbstum.

Translation:

The market's a pond, quite deep and wide,
And many swim along with the tide.
You look to the left, you look to the right,
Who offers better, dark or bright?
The competitor, always near,
Makes business truly flare.
One fights for customers, price, and fame,
In the economic competition game.

Who am I? A Riddle 🤔

Ich will das Gleiche wie du,
Sei's Marktanteil, Job oder Ruh'.
Ich bin nicht dein Freund, doch auch nicht dein Feind,
Oft sind wir im gleichen Feld vereint.
Im Rennen des Marktes lauf' ich mit dir mit.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:

I want the same thing as you,
Be it market share, job, or renown, it's true.
I am not your friend, but not your foe,
Often in the same field, together we go.
In the market's race, I run along with you.

Who am I?

Solution: Der Mitbewerber (The competitor)

Additional Info & Word Origin 🤓

Word Composition:

The word 'Mitbewerber' is composed of:

• mit-: Prefix expressing commonality or participation (like in 'Mitarbeiter' - co-worker).
• Bewerber: Someone who applies or vies for something (from 'werben', originally 'to strive for', 'to woo', 'to compete for').

So, a 'Mitbewerber' is literally someone who 'strives' or 'competes' 'with' others for something.

Cultural Context:

In the German economic understanding (Social Market Economy - Soziale Marktwirtschaft), competition plays a significant role. The term 'Mitbewerber' is therefore very common and usually carries a neutral to factual connotation.