Empfänger
/ɛmˈpfɛŋɐ/masculine
The German word for receiver is Empfänger. Wiktionary also lists Empfängerin.
Meaning: person who receives (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Empfänger | /ɛmˈpfɛŋɐ/ | masculine |
| Empfängerin | /ɛmˈp͡fɛŋərɪn/ | feminine |
Empfänger refers to a person who receives something, such as a recipient of a letter or to a technical device like a radio or telephone receiver.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix emp- (related to receiving/taking) and the root fangen (to catch/seize), with the -er suffix denoting the person performing the action.
Which one should you use?
Empfänger is the masculine form. Empfängerin is the feminine form used specifically for a female receiver.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form Empfänger is identical to its plural form. To refer to a female receiver, use the feminine form Empfängerin. Its plural is Empfängerinnen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛmˈpfɛŋɐ/
Did you know?
- In German, the word for a phone receiver is Hörer, which literally means 'listener'. This shifts the focus from the act of receiving a signal to the act of listening to a voice.
- Using Empfänger to describe a friend receiving a gift can sound unnaturally clinical or robotic. In casual settings, Germans prefer phrases that describe the act of getting something rather than labeling the person as a 'receiver'.
- The root fangen in Empfänger means 'to catch', reflecting an ancient view of receiving something as an active act of seizing it.
Examples in context
- Der Empfänger des Pakets war sehr zufrieden.The recipient of the package was very satisfied.
- Das Fernsehgerät ist der Empfänger des Signals.The television set is the receiver of the signal.
- Die Bank bestätigte den Ausgleich zwischen Absender und Bezieher.The bank confirmed the settlement between sender and receiver.
- Der Empfänger ist nicht zu Hause.The receiver is not at home.
- Der Empfänger muss das Paket unterschreiben.The receiver must sign for the package.
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are talking about a lost package at their office.
- HannahLukas, wer ist der Empfänger für dieses Paket?Lukas, who is the receiver for this package?
- LukasIch glaube, der Empfänger ist unser neuer Kollege.I think the receiver is our new colleague.
- HannahIst er heute im Büro?Is he in the office today?
- LukasJa, er arbeitet heute den ganzen Tag.Yes, he is working all day today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “receiver” translations and entries Empfänger, Empfängerin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
