der  Partner

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpaʁtnɐ/

🤝 What does 'der Partner' mean?

The German word der Partner describes a male person who is in a relationship or collaboration with another person or group. The nature of the relationship can vary:

• Business/Professional: A person with whom one shares a business, project, or professional activity (Geschäftspartner - business partner).
• Personal/Romantic: A person with whom one is in a romantic relationship or domestic partnership (Lebenspartner - life partner).
• Leisure/Activity: A person with whom one engages in an activity together (e.g., Tanzpartner - dance partner, Spielpartner - game partner).

It is a masculine noun. The female form is die Partnerin.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'der Partner' in Detail

The noun der Partner is masculine. Here is its declension:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Mein Geschäftspartner ist heute verreist.
   (My business partner is away today.)
2. Das ist das Büro des Partners.
   (That is the partner's office.)
3. Ich habe dem Partner die Unterlagen gegeben.
   (I gave the documents to the partner.)
4. Wir suchen noch einen Partner für das Projekt.
   (We are still looking for a partner for the project.)
5. Die Partner treffen sich morgen zur Besprechung.
   (The partners are meeting tomorrow for the discussion.)
6. Wir danken den Partnern für die gute Zusammenarbeit.
   (We thank the partners for the good collaboration.)

🌐 How is 'Partner' used?

Contexts:

• Professional: Very common for Geschäftspartner (business partners), Kooperationspartner (cooperation partners), Kanzleipartner (partners in a law firm, medical practice, etc.).
• Private: Often used for a Lebensgefährte (life partner) or husband. It can sound more modern or less formal than 'Ehemann' (husband).
• Activities: Common in sports, dancing, or games (Tennispartner, Tanzpartner).

Important Note: The word itself is masculine (der Partner). For a female person, use die Partnerin. When talking about a mixed couple or group, the plural die Partner is often used, although more neutral or inclusive phrasing (like 'Partnerschaft' - partnership, 'Team') is increasingly sought after.

Compared to Freund (boyfriend), Partner can imply a more established, often more official or long-term relationship, but doesn't necessarily have to.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Partner'

Article Mnemonic: Think of the typical gentleman ('der Herr') in a suit who is your business partner. Many masculine job titles or roles end in -er and are masculine (der Lehrer - teacher, der Bäcker - baker, der Partner).

Meaning Mnemonic: A Partner takes a part of the work or life off your hands or shares it with you. You are a team.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Patient (der): Someone receiving medical treatment. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der eine Geschäftspartner den anderen: "Warum arbeitest du eigentlich immer nur halbtags?"
Antwortet der andere: "Weil ich einen vollen Acht-Stunden-Tag nicht in vier Stunden unterbringen kann!"

Translation:
One business partner asks the other: "Why do you only ever work half-days?"
The other replies: "Because I can't fit a full eight-hour day into four hours!"

📜 Poem about the Partner

Der Partner, stark und klar,
Steht treu dir bei, Jahr für Jahr.
Im Geschäft, im Spiel, im Leben,
Wird er stets sein Bestes geben.
Ob als Freund, ob als Gefährte,
Er besitzt besond're Werte.
Gemeinsam stark, das ist das Ziel,
Mit dem Partner schafft man viel.

Translation:
The partner, strong and clear,
Stands faithfully by you, year after year.
In business, in play, in life,
He will always give his best strife.
Whether as friend, whether as companion,
He possesses special worth, anon.
Strong together, that is the aim,
With the partner, much you gain.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin männlich, doch nicht immer Mann im Haus,
Ich teile Arbeit, Spiel und manchmal einen Schmaus.
Im Geschäft bin ich wichtig, in der Liebe auch präsent,
Mein weibliches Gegenstück wird anders genannt.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I am masculine, but not always the man of the house,
I share work, play, and sometimes a feast (Schmaus).
In business I'm important, in love also present,
My female counterpart is named different.

Who am I?

Solution: der Partner

🧩 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Partner" comes from Middle Latin partiarius ("sharer"), which in turn goes back to Latin pars ("part"). It entered German via Old French (parçonier) and English (partner).

Feminine Form: As mentioned, the feminine form is die Partnerin.

Compound Nouns: The word forms many common compound nouns (Komposita):

• Geschäftspartner (business partner)
• Lebenspartner (life partner)
• Gesprächspartner (conversation partner)
• Kooperationspartner (cooperation partner)
• Sparringspartner (sparring partner)
• Tanzpartner (dance partner)