der  Schuldner

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃʊldnɐ/

🧐 What does "der Schuldner" mean?

Der Schuldner (masculine) refers to a person (or a legal entity like a company) who owes something to another person or institution (the Gläubiger - creditor). This can be a monetary debt (Geldschuld), but also a service (Dienstleistung) or another obligation (Verpflichtung).

• Main meaning: A person with a liability or debt towards another; a debtor.

The feminine form is die Schuldnerin (female debtor).

⚠️ It's important to distinguish the Schuldner from the Gläubiger (the person who is owed something).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar & Declension of "Schuldner"

"Schuldner" is a masculine noun. It follows the weak n-declension in the plural and in some cases in the singular.

Example Sentences

1. Der Schuldner hat seine Raten nicht pünktlich bezahlt.
   (The debtor did not pay his installments on time.)
2. Das Gericht forderte den Schuldner zur Zahlung auf.
   (The court demanded payment from the debtor.)
3. Die Vermögenswerte des Schuldners wurden gepfändet.
   (The debtor's assets were seized.)
4. Der Gläubiger wartet auf das Geld von den Schuldnern.
   (The creditor is waiting for the money from the debtors.)

💡 How to use "Schuldner"?

The term "Schuldner" is primarily used in economic and legal contexts.

• Wirtschaft & Finanzen (Economics & Finance): When discussing loans (Kredite), invoices (Rechnungen), payment obligations (Zahlungsverpflichtungen) (e.g., involving banks, companies, private individuals).
• Recht (Law): In civil law (Zivilrecht), insolvency law (Insolvenzrecht), dunning procedures (Mahnverfahren), and enforcement proceedings (Zwangsvollstreckungen).
• Alltagssprache (Everyday Language): Less common, but possible when someone owes someone else something (not just money, e.g., a favor - ein Gefallen).

Distinctions:

• Schuldner vs. Gläubiger: The Schuldner owes, the Gläubiger has a claim. They are the opposing parties in a debtor-creditor relationship (Schuldverhältnis).
• Schuldner vs. Bürge (Guarantor): A Bürge is liable for the debt of a Schuldner if the latter cannot pay, but is not the primary debtor.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article "der":

Think: Der is the masculine article. Often, words for male persons (or general persons assumed male by default in older grammar) use "der". A debtor is often thought of as a specific person (historically often male in business).

Remembering the Meaning:

"Schuldner" sounds a bit like "Should-ner" in English. Someone who *should* pay their debt. Or, it contains the word Schuld, which means debt or guilt. So, a Schuldner is someone connected to Schuld (debt).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Although similar, synonyms are not always interchangeable as they often belong to specific contexts (e.g., accounting).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Schuldner: "Warum haben Sie Ihre Schulden nicht bezahlt?"
Antwortet der Schuldner: "Herr Richter, Sie haben doch selbst gesagt: 'Schulden machen ist keine Kunst, aber Kunst ist es, sie nicht zu bezahlen!'"

Translation:
The judge asks the debtor: "Why haven't you paid your debts?"
The debtor replies: "Your Honor, you yourself said: 'Getting into debt is no art, but the art is not paying them!'"

📜 Poem about the Debtor

Der Schuldner, schwer beladen,
trägt Last auf seinen Pfaden.
Ein Brief kommt, mahnend, klar,
die Zahlung ist bald fällig, ja fürwahr.
Der Gläubiger, er wartet schon,
auf seinen wohlverdienten Lohn.
Doch manchmal fehlt das Geld,
in dieser Finanzwelt.

Translation:
The debtor, heavily burdened,
Carries weight upon his paths.
A letter arrives, reminding, clear,
Payment is due soon, yes indeed.
The creditor, he already waits,
For his well-deserved reward.
But sometimes the money lacks,
In this financial world.

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

Ich habe etwas, das nicht mir gehört,
und muss es geben, ungestört.
Mein Gegenstück, das freut sich sehr,
bekommt es seins, dann will er mehr?
Ich steh' im Soll, nicht auf der Haben-Seit',
wer bin ich, in Verbindlichkeit?

Translation:
I have something that isn't mine,
And must return it, undisturbed and fine.
My counterpart is very pleased,
Gets what is theirs, then wants more, appeased?
I'm on the debit side, not credit's light,
Who am I, bound by obligation's might?

Solution: Der Schuldner (The Debtor)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Schuldner" is composed of:

• Schuld: Meaning debt, fault, or obligation.
• -ner: A suffix often used to denote a person associated with or performing an action related to the root word (like Gärtner - gardener, Redner - speaker).

Relevance: The concept is central to economic and legal life. Without the notion of debtors (Schuldner) and creditors (Gläubiger), there would be no loans, no contracts for future services, and thus a fundamentally different economy.