der
Verwalter
🧐 What exactly is a Verwalter?
Der Verwalter is a masculine noun referring to a person who verwaltet (manages, administers, oversees) something. It's often a job title or a functional role.
- Main meaning: Someone responsible for the administration or management of property (e.g., real estate, assets), an organization, or a system.
- Examples: Hausverwalter (property manager), Nachlassverwalter (estate administrator), Systemverwalter (system administrator).
The feminine form is die Verwalterin.
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: Declension of 'der Verwalter'
The word "Verwalter" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Verwalter |
| Genitive | des | Verwalters |
| Dative | dem | Verwalter |
| Accusative | den | Verwalter |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verwalter |
| Genitive | der | Verwalter |
| Dative | den | Verwaltern |
| Accusative | die | Verwalter |
Example Sentences
- Der Verwalter kümmert sich um die Reparaturen im Haus.
(The administrator takes care of the repairs in the building.) - Ich muss die Nebenkostenabrechnung mit dem Verwalter besprechen.
(I need to discuss the utility bill with the administrator.) - Die Kontaktdaten des Verwalters hängen im Treppenhaus.
(The administrator's contact details are posted in the stairwell.) - Wir suchen einen neuen Verwalter für unsere IT-Systeme.
(We are looking for a new administrator for our IT systems.) - Die Verwalter treffen sich einmal im Monat zur Besprechung.
(The administrators meet once a month for a meeting.)
🏢 How and when to use 'Verwalter'
The term Verwalter is used in various contexts, mostly professional or official:
- Real Estate: The Hausverwalter or Immobilienverwalter (property manager) is responsible for managing apartment buildings or condominium associations (maintenance, billing, tenant communication).
- Finance/Law: The Vermögensverwalter (asset manager) handles investments, the Nachlassverwalter (estate administrator) settles the estate of a deceased person, the Insolvenzverwalter (insolvency administrator) manages company bankruptcies.
- IT: The Systemverwalter or Netzwerkverwalter (system or network administrator, often just called Administrator) manages computer systems and networks.
- General: Someone who manages affairs or assets in trust for others.
⚠️ It's important to distinguish a Verwalter from an Eigentümer (owner) or a Manager (who often has more strategic leadership tasks, while the Verwalter is more operational, though the lines can blur).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
-
Article Mnemonic: A Verwalter is often a man (masculine), so use der Verwalter. Picture a 'sir' (sounds a bit like 'der') who manages ('verwaltet') everything.
-
Meaning Mnemonic: A Verwalter very carefully waltzes through his administrative duties. He 'verwaltet' things – takes care of them.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Administrator: (Administrator) - Often used in IT contexts.
- Manager: (Manager) - Can be similar, but often implies more leadership responsibility.
- Betreuer: (caretaker, supervisor) - More general, can also include social care.
- Leiter: (leader, head) - Similar to manager, often for a department or group.
- Hausmeister: (caretaker, janitor) - Focuses on practical tasks in a building, but may have administrative duties.
- Bevollmächtigter: (authorized representative) - Holds power of attorney.
- Treuhänder: (trustee) - Manages assets or rights in trust.
Antonyms (opposites):
- Eigentümer/Besitzer: (owner/proprietor) - The person who owns what is being managed.
- Mieter/Nutzer: (tenant/user) - The person using what is being managed (e.g., an apartment).
- Untergebener/Mitarbeiter: (subordinate/employee) - Someone reporting to the administrator (depending on context).
Risk of Confusion: Don't confuse Verwalter with Verwandter (relative).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Mieter den Hausverwalter: "Ist diese Wohnung wirklich so hellhörig, wie man sagt?"
Sagt der Verwalter zum Kollegen im Nebenzimmer: "Karl-Heinz, hörst du was der Herr fragt?"
Translation:
The tenant asks the property manager: "Is this apartment really as thin-walled as they say?"
The manager says to his colleague in the next room: "Karl-Heinz, can you hear what the gentleman is asking?"
📜 A Poem about the Verwalter
Der Verwalter, stets geschäftig,
Mit Akten, Zahlen, kräftig.
Er hält das Haus, das Gut in Schuss,
Verdient Respekt, trotz manchem Verdruss.
Ob Heizung, Miete, E-Mail-Flut,
Er managt alles, das tut gut.
Translation:
The administrator, always busy,
With files and figures, sturdy.
He keeps the house, the property in shape,
Deserves respect, despite some scrape.
Be it heating, rent, or email flood,
He manages all, which does good.
🧩 Who am I? A Riddle
Ich kümmere mich um Haus und Hof,
Auch wenn's mir gehört? – Ach nee, so doof!
Ich sorge für Ordnung, Recht und Pflicht,
Hab Schlüssel, Pläne, oft schlechtes Licht.
Ich bin kein König, doch ich regier'
Über fremdes Gut, das glaub mir!
Wer bin ich?
(Who am I?)
Solution: Der Verwalter (The Administrator/Manager)
Translation of the riddle:
I take care of house and yard,
Even if I own it? – Oh no, so hard! (Incorrect rhyme, but conveys meaning)
I ensure order, rights, and duty,
Have keys, plans, often poor light's beauty.
I am no king, yet I rule here
Over others' property, believe me dear!
💡 Other Information
- Word Formation: The word is composed of the verb verwalten (to administer, manage) and the suffix -er, which denotes a person performing the action.
- Feminine Form: The feminine form is die Verwalterin (plural: die Verwalterinnen).
- Professional Field: "Verwalter" is often part of job titles, e.g., in real estate management (Immobilienverwalter) or public administration.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verwalter?
The noun "Verwalter" is always masculine. The correct article is der Verwalter (nominative singular).