der
Spender
🎁 What does "der Spender" mean?
The German word der Spender primarily has two meanings:
- A person who donates or gives something: This can refer to money (Geldspender), blood (Blutspender), organs (Organspender), or other items. It's the masculine form (the feminine form is die Spenderin). Example: Der anonyme Spender half der Organisation sehr. (The anonymous donor helped the organization a lot.)
- A device that dispenses or distributes something: This often refers to containers from which you can take something, like soap (Seifenspender), disinfectant (Desinfektionsmittelspender), or even tape (Klebebandspender). Example: Der Seifenspender im Bad ist leer. (The soap dispenser in the bathroom is empty.)
🚨 Important: Although the word is the same for a person and a device, the article is always der (masculine).
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 of "der Spender" in Detail
Der Spender is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Spender | (Subject) |
| Genitive | des | Spenders | (Possessive) |
| Dative | dem | Spender | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | den | Spender | (Direct Object) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Spender | (Subject) |
| Genitive | der | Spender | (Possessive) |
| Dative | den | Spendern | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | die | Spender | (Direct Object) |
Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Spender möchte anonym bleiben. (The donor wants to remain anonymous.) - Person
- Genitive: Die Großzügigkeit des Spenders war beeindruckend. (The donor's generosity was impressive.) - Person
- Dative: Ich danke dem Spender für seine Hilfe. (I thank the donor for his help.) - Person
- Accusative: Wir suchen einen neuen Spender für das Projekt. (We are looking for a new donor for the project.) - Person
- Nominative (Plural): Viele Spender unterstützen die Blutbank. (Many donors support the blood bank.) - Persons
- Dative (Plural): Die Klinik dankt allen Spendern. (The clinic thanks all donors.) - Persons
- Nominative: Der Spender an der Wand ist praktisch. (The dispenser on the wall is practical.) - Device
- Accusative: Kannst du bitte den Seifenspender nachfüllen? (Can you please refill the soap dispenser?) - Device
💡 How "der Spender" is Used
- In social/medical contexts: Very common in relation to donations for charitable causes (Geldspender - money donor), blood donations (Blutspender - blood donor), or organ donations (Organspender - organ donor, Knochenmarkspender - bone marrow donor).
- In everyday life (devices): Commonly used for various types of dispensers (Seifenspender - soap dispenser, Desinfektionsmittelspender - disinfectant dispenser, Klebebandspender - tape dispenser, Wasserspender - water dispenser). The context usually makes the meaning clear.
- Distinction: A Geber is similar but often more general (giver). A Donator is more formal, often used for large donations of money or art. A Stifter often founds something (like a foundation) with their donation.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Spender"
For the article: Think of der Mann (the man) who gives something. Even if it's a device, the article stays the same – imagine a little man is hiding inside the soap dispenser, giving you soap – it's der Spender!
For the meaning: The word comes from "spenden" (to donate, to give). So, a Spender is someone (or something) who gives/donates. The 'er' ending often indicates a masculine noun (person or agent), fitting with der.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Geber: General term for giver.
- Donator: More formal, often for larger donations of money or items.
- Stifter: Someone who founds or establishes something (e.g., a foundation) through a significant donation.
- Gönner / Förderer: Patron / supporter, often supports artists, projects, or institutions financially or ideally.
- Verteiler / Dosierer / Automat (for devices): Distributor / dispenser / machine, depending on the type (e.g., Futterautomat - feeder, Getränkeautomat - vending machine, Seifendosierer - soap dispenser).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Empfänger: Recipient, receiver.
- Nehmer: Taker (can have negative connotations).
- Begünstigter: Beneficiary (someone who benefits from a donation or service).
⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse Spender with Sender (sender, e.g., of a letter or radio wave).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Seifenspender schlechte Laune?
(Why is the soap dispenser in a bad mood?)
Weil er immer alles hergeben muss und nie etwas zurückbekommt! 😉
(Because he always has to give everything away and never gets anything back!)
✍️ Poem about "der Spender"
Ob Blut, ob Geld, ob Zeit,
der Spender steht bereit.
Mal Mensch mit Herz, mal Apparat,
hilft er geschwind und ohne Rat.
(Whether blood, or money, or time,
the donor stands ready.
Sometimes human with heart, sometimes device,
he helps quickly and without advice.)
Der Seifenspender an der Wand,
gibt Sauberkeit dir in die Hand.
Der edle Spender, unbekannt,
reicht Hilfe oft im ganzen Land.
(The soap dispenser on the wall,
gives cleanliness into your hand.
The noble donor, unknown,
often extends help throughout the land.)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch gebe gern.
Ich kann ein Mensch sein oder steh' nicht fern,
aus Plastik oft, an einer Wand montiert,
mal flüssig, mal solide, wird's von mir serviert.
Wer oder was bin ich? ... Der Spender
(I have no mouth, yet I like to give.
I can be a person or stand not far,
often plastic, mounted on a wall,
sometimes liquid, sometimes solid, it's served by me.)
(Who or what am I?) ... The donor / dispenser (der Spender)
🧩 Additional Information
- Word Formation: The word "Spender" is derived from the verb "spenden" (to donate). The suffix '-er' forms the noun of agency (Nomen Agentis), indicating the person or thing performing the action.
- Feminine Form: The feminine form for the person is "die Spenderin". There is no feminine form for devices.
- Related Words: die Spende (donation), spendabel (generous), spendieren (to treat someone to something, to donate informally).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Spender?
The word "Spender", meaning a person (donor, giver) or a device (dispenser, e.g., soap dispenser), is always masculine. Therefore, the correct article is always der Spender.