der
Sachbearbeiter
🧑💼 What does "der Sachbearbeiter" mean?
Der Sachbearbeiter is a male person who works in an administration, office, or company and is responsible for handling a specific subject area or particular tasks. He often makes decisions within his area of responsibility and processes applications, files, or cases.
It's a job title. The female form is die Sachbearbeiterin.
Example: A Sachbearbeiter in the HR department handles payroll processing.
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: The details of "der Sachbearbeiter"
Sachbearbeiter is a masculine noun. It belongs to the weak N-declension (schwache N-Deklination).
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nominativ) | der | Sachbearbeiter |
| Genitive (Genitiv) | des | Sachbearbeitern |
| Dative (Dativ) | dem | Sachbearbeitern |
| Accusative (Akkusativ) | den | Sachbearbeitern |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Sachbearbeiter |
| Genitive | der | Sachbearbeiter |
| Dative | den | Sachbearbeitern |
| Accusative | die | Sachbearbeiter |
💡 Application Examples
- Der zuständige Sachbearbeiter prüft Ihren Antrag. (The responsible case officer checks your application.)
- Ich habe heute mit dem Sachbearbeitern telefoniert. (I talked to the case officer on the phone today. - Dative)
- Die Unterschrift des Sachbearbeitern fehlt noch. (The case officer's signature is still missing. - Genitive)
- Wir suchen einen erfahrenen Sachbearbeitern für die Buchhaltung. (We are looking for an experienced clerk for accounting. - Accusative)
🚨 Pay attention to the N-declension: An "-n" is added in the genitive, dative, and accusative singular, as well as in the dative plural!
🏢 Context and Usage
The term Sachbearbeiter is primarily used in professional and administrative contexts. You find Sachbearbeiter in:
- Public authorities and offices (e.g., Finanzamt - tax office, Einwohnermeldeamt - registration office)
- Companies (e.g., HR department, customer service, accounting)
- Insurance companies and banks
The title implies a certain responsibility for a specific area of tasks, but usually not a management position. A Sachbearbeiter often works independently on assigned cases or topics.
Compared to an Angestellter (employee), the term is more specific regarding the type of activity (processing specific matters - Sachverhalte). A Referent often has higher qualifications or responsibility and handles more complex topics, sometimes with a strategic focus.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article: Think of a dere-lict building full of paperwork - only a male officer (der Sachbearbeiter) dares to enter and process (bearbeiten) the 'stuff' (Sache).
Meaning: A Sachbearbeiter handles the Sache (the matter/case) and arbeitet (works) on it. He is the 'matter-worker'.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Bearbeiter: More general, someone who processes something.
- Referent: Often implies higher qualification, handles complex topics.
- Angestellter: General term for employee.
- Bürokraft: Clerk, often for simpler, supporting office tasks.
- Verwaltungsangestellter: Administrative employee, specifically in public service or administration.
Antonyms (opposites/other roles):
- Kunde / Antragsteller: Client / Applicant - the person whose request is being processed.
- Vorgesetzter / Abteilungsleiter: Superior / Department head - person in a management position above the Sachbearbeiter.
- Entscheidungsträger (höherer Ebene): Decision-maker (higher level) - someone making overarching decisions.
😄 A Little Office Joke
German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Sachbearbeiter: "Sagen Sie mal, können Sie auch über die Arbeit lachen?" Antwortet der Sachbearbeiter: "Ja, klar!" Chef: "Gut, dann fangen Sie nächste Woche an!"
English Translation: The boss asks the new clerk: "Tell me, can you also laugh about work?" The clerk replies: "Yes, of course!" Boss: "Good, then you start next week!"
📜 Poem about the Sachbearbeiter
German:
Im Büro, still und sehr genau,
sitzt der Sachbearbeiter, schlau.
Aktenberge, hoch und breit,
er bringt Ordnung in die Zeit.
Paragraphen, fein sortiert,
jeder Antrag wird studiert.
Mit Stempel, Stift und Computermaus,
löst er jeden Akten-Schmaus.
English Translation:
In the office, quiet and precise,
sits the clerk, clever and wise.
Piles of files, high and wide,
he brings order to the tide.
Paragraphs, neatly sorted out,
every application studied, no doubt.
With stamp, pen, and computer mouse,
he solves every file-feast in the house.
❓ Riddle Time
German:
Ich trage keinen Kittel, doch arbeite am Tisch,
mit Akten und Anträgen bin ich täglich frisch.
Ich prüfe und entscheide, doch bin kein Richter fein,
in Amt und Firma find'st du mich – wer mag ich sein?
English Translation:
I wear no gown, but work at a desk,
with files and applications, I'm daily at my best.
I check and decide, but am no judge so grand,
in office and company, you find me close at hand – who might I be?
Solution: Der Sachbearbeiter (The clerk/case officer)
🧩 Word Building Blocks
The word "Sachbearbeiter" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
- Die Sache: Refers to a matter, case, issue, or item.
- Der Bearbeiter: A person who processes, handles, or works on something.
Together, it literally means someone who 'processes matters'. This reflects the core task of this job role.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Sachbearbeiter?
The word "Sachbearbeiter" is masculine. The correct article is der: der Sachbearbeiter. It refers to a male clerk or case officer handling specific tasks in administration or a company, and it follows the weak N-declension.