At the A1 level, 'der Mitarbeiter' is introduced as a basic noun related to the world of work. Students learn it alongside other professional titles like 'der Lehrer' or 'der Arzt'. At this stage, the focus is on the simple meaning: a person who works in a company. Learners are taught to use it in simple sentences like 'Ich bin ein Mitarbeiter bei Siemens' or 'Der Mitarbeiter ist freundlich'. The primary goal is recognizing the word and understanding its gender (masculine) and basic plural form (die Mitarbeiter). It is often taught in the context of introducing oneself and one's job. Learners should also be aware of the feminine form 'die Mitarbeiterin'. The concept of 'mit' (with) + 'arbeiten' (work) is a helpful mnemonic even at this early stage. Simple possessives like 'mein Mitarbeiter' or 'unser Mitarbeiter' are also common. At A1, the distinction between 'Mitarbeiter' and 'Kollege' is not yet a priority, as the learner is still building a core vocabulary. The focus is on the concrete person in the workplace.
At the A2 level, the use of 'der Mitarbeiter' becomes more practical and context-oriented. Learners are expected to use the word in everyday workplace scenarios, such as describing their daily routine or their company structure. This is where the dative plural 'den Mitarbeitern' is introduced, which is a key grammatical hurdle. A2 learners should be able to understand announcements in stores or offices that use the word. They start to see the word in compound forms like 'Kundenservice-Mitarbeiter'. The distinction between 'Mitarbeiter' and 'Chef' (boss) becomes clearer. Learners at this level should be able to talk about how many employees a company has ('Die Firma hat 50 Mitarbeiter') and describe their qualities using basic adjectives ('ein fleißiger Mitarbeiter', 'ein neuer Mitarbeiter'). They also begin to notice the word in job advertisements. The cultural aspect of the German workplace, where 'Mitarbeiter' is a standard and respectful term, starts to be integrated into their learning. They should also be comfortable using the feminine version 'Mitarbeiterin' consistently.
At the B1 level, learners delve into the nuances of professional communication. They begin to distinguish between 'Mitarbeiter' and 'Kollege' based on hierarchy and social distance. B1 students learn to use the word in more complex sentence structures, including relative clauses ('Der Mitarbeiter, der gestern hier war, ist heute krank'). They also encounter the word in the context of 'Mitarbeitergespräche' (performance reviews) and 'Mitarbeiterversammlungen' (staff meetings). The concept of 'freier Mitarbeiter' (freelancer) is introduced as they discuss different types of employment. At this level, students are expected to understand more abstract discussions about 'Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit' (employee satisfaction) and 'Mitarbeitermotivation'. They should be able to write formal emails addressing 'Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter'. The use of the word in professional reports and descriptions of organizational charts becomes more common. B1 learners also start to recognize the legal term 'Arbeitnehmer' and understand that 'Mitarbeiter' is the more common, less formal alternative in daily business life.
At the B2 level, the focus shifts to professional expertise and corporate culture. Learners explore the term within the framework of Human Resources (Personalwesen). They discuss 'Mitarbeiterführung' (leadership) and 'Mitarbeiterentwicklung' (employee development). The linguistic focus includes the use of the word in nominalized structures and passive voice ('Die Mitarbeiter wurden über die Fusion informiert'). B2 students are expected to understand the subtle differences between 'Mitarbeiter', 'Angestellter', and 'Beamter' (civil servant). They also engage with the debate around gender-neutral language, specifically the use of 'Mitarbeitende' versus 'Mitarbeiter'. In business case studies, they analyze 'Mitarbeiterfluktuation' (employee turnover) and 'Mitarbeiterbindung' (employee retention). Their vocabulary expands to include specific roles like 'Außendienstmitarbeiter' (field staff) or 'Projektmitarbeiter'. At this level, the learner should be able to discuss the rights and responsibilities of a 'Mitarbeiter' in a sophisticated manner, using appropriate professional register and tone.
At the C1 level, 'der Mitarbeiter' is analyzed within complex sociological and economic contexts. Learners examine the 'Mitarbeiter' as a stakeholder in a company's success. They read and discuss academic texts on 'Mitarbeiterpsychologie' and 'Organisationsentwicklung'. The word is used in high-level discussions about corporate ethics, 'Mitarbeiterbeteiligung' (employee participation/profit sharing), and the impact of digitalization on the 'Mitarbeiter' of the future. C1 students are expected to master the most subtle nuances, such as the difference between a 'Mitarbeiter' and a 'Beauftragter' (representative/officer). They can navigate complex legal documents where 'Mitarbeiter' might be defined in specific ways. Their writing should reflect a perfect command of gender-inclusive forms, choosing between 'Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter' or 'Mitarbeitende' based on the specific stylistic requirements of the text. They also explore the historical evolution of the term and its relation to the German 'Mitbestimmungsrecht' (right of co-determination) in the workplace.
At the C2 level, the learner possesses a near-native understanding of 'der Mitarbeiter' in all its dimensions. They can appreciate the word's use in literature, philosophy, and high-level political discourse. They might analyze how the concept of the 'Mitarbeiter' has changed from the industrial age to the 'New Work' era. C2 speakers can use the word with absolute precision in any context, from a casual joke among colleagues to a formal speech at a corporate gala. They understand the rhetorical power of the word in management speak and can critically evaluate how it is used to shape corporate identity. They are also aware of regional variations or industry-specific jargon where 'Mitarbeiter' might be replaced by other terms (e.g., 'Crew' in aviation or 'Staff' in international startups). At this level, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a tool for sophisticated expression, allowing the speaker to navigate the complexities of German professional life with total fluency and cultural sensitivity.

der Mitarbeiter 30秒で

  • A standard German noun meaning 'employee' or 'staff member', essential for any professional or workplace-related conversation at the A2 level and beyond.
  • It is a masculine noun (der Mitarbeiter) with the same form in the plural (die Mitarbeiter), except in the dative case (den Mitarbeitern).
  • Derived from 'mit' (with) and 'arbeiten' (to work), it emphasizes the collaborative nature of employment within a structured organization or company.
  • Commonly used in compound nouns like 'Mitarbeitergespräch' and distinguished from 'Kollege' (peer) by its hierarchical and contractual connotations.

The German noun der Mitarbeiter is a fundamental term in the professional landscape of German-speaking countries. At its core, it refers to an individual who works within an organization, company, or institution. While often translated simply as 'employee' or 'co-worker,' the term carries a nuance of 'working with' others, derived from its morphological components: the prefix mit- (with) and the verb arbeiten (to work). In a modern corporate context, it serves as the standard designation for staff members, regardless of their specific rank, although it typically excludes the top-level executive management when used in contrastive settings. Understanding this word requires an appreciation of the German workplace culture, where the distinction between a 'Kollege' (someone on the same level) and a 'Mitarbeiter' (someone working for the company) can sometimes overlap depending on the speaker's perspective.

Etymological Breakdown
The word is a compound noun. 'Mit' signifies cooperation or accompaniment, while 'Arbeiter' refers to a worker. Historically, it emphasized the collaborative nature of labor within a guild or firm.
Gender Nuances
'Der Mitarbeiter' is masculine. For a female employee, 'die Mitarbeiterin' is used. In modern plural usage, you will frequently encounter 'die Mitarbeitenden' to be gender-neutral.
Professional Scope
It covers everyone from a part-time clerk to a senior specialist. It is the term of choice for HR departments (Personalabteilung) when referring to the workforce as a whole.

Unser Unternehmen hat über zweihundert Mitarbeiter an diesem Standort.

When we look deeper into the semantic field, 'Mitarbeiter' implies a contractual relationship. Unlike 'Helfer' (helper) or 'Freiwilliger' (volunteer), a Mitarbeiter is usually part of the formal economy. In a legal sense, the 'Arbeitnehmer' (employee) is the technical term used in contracts, but in daily office communication, 'Mitarbeiter' is the preferred, more human-centric term. It suggests that the person is not just a 'taker of work' (Arbeitnehmer) but a 'co-worker' in the success of the enterprise. This subtle shift in focus is vital for learners to grasp as they move into professional German environments. The word also appears in numerous compound nouns that define the employee experience, such as Mitarbeitergespräch (performance review) or Mitarbeiterstab (staff).

Ein motivierter Mitarbeiter ist das wertvollste Kapital einer Firma.

Die Mitarbeiter der IT-Abteilung arbeiten heute im Homeoffice.

Jeder neue Mitarbeiter erhält eine gründliche Einarbeitung.

Wir suchen einen engagierten Mitarbeiter für unser Marketing-Team.

Using der Mitarbeiter correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior and its social application. As a masculine noun of the 'er' ending group, its plural remains the same in the nominative: die Mitarbeiter. However, in the dative plural, it becomes den Mitarbeitern. This is a common stumbling block for A2 learners. When you are talking about your colleagues to an outsider, you use 'Mitarbeiter'. If you are talking to them directly or about them within the team, you might prefer 'Kollegen'. The choice of word signals your relationship to the hierarchy. A boss speaks of 'meine Mitarbeiter' (my employees), while a team member speaks of 'meine Kollegen' (my colleagues).

Grammatical Declension
Nominative: der Mitarbeiter | Genitive: des Mitarbeiters | Dative: dem Mitarbeiter | Accusative: den Mitarbeiter. Plural Dative: den Mitarbeitern.
Compound Construction
You can attach it to departments: 'Marketingmitarbeiter', 'Produktionsmitarbeiter', 'Vertriebsmitarbeiter'. This specifies the role immediately.
Formal vs. Informal
In formal emails, use 'Sehr geehrte Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter' to address the whole staff politely and inclusively.

Ich muss heute mit einem Mitarbeiter aus der Buchhaltung sprechen.

In the context of job advertisements (Stellenanzeigen), you will see 'Mitarbeiter (m/w/d)' where 'm/w/d' stands for männlich/weiblich/divers (male/female/diverse). This is a legal requirement in Germany to ensure non-discrimination. When writing your CV or 'Lebenslauf', you might describe yourself as a 'wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter' (research associate) or 'freier Mitarbeiter' (freelancer). The flexibility of the word allows it to adapt to various levels of permanence and specialization. It is also important to note the difference between 'Mitarbeiter' and 'Angestellter'. While 'Mitarbeiter' is the general term for anyone working there, 'Angestellter' specifically refers to white-collar office workers, as opposed to 'Arbeiter' (blue-collar).

Der Chef lobt den Mitarbeiter für seine gute Leistung.

Haben Sie die Mitarbeiter bereits über die Änderungen informiert?

Als Mitarbeiter dieser Firma erhalten Sie 20% Rabatt.

Die Zufriedenheit der Mitarbeiter ist uns sehr wichtig.

You will encounter der Mitarbeiter in almost every professional interaction in Germany. It is ubiquitous in corporate announcements, during company meetings (Betriebsversammlungen), and in the news when discussing the labor market. If you visit a large store like Saturn or IKEA, you might hear an announcement like 'Ein Mitarbeiter wird zur Information gebeten' (A staff member is requested at the information desk). In the context of public service, you might hear about 'Mitarbeiter des öffentlichen Dienstes' (public service employees). It is a word that bridges the gap between the internal world of a company and the external world of customers and the public.

In the News
Headlines often read: 'VW entlässt tausende Mitarbeiter' (VW lays off thousands of employees) or 'Mitarbeiterstreik bei der Bahn' (Employee strike at the railway).
At the Office
Managers use it in emails: 'Liebe Mitarbeiter, bitte beachten Sie die neuen Sicherheitsregeln.'
Customer Service
'Unsere Mitarbeiter beraten Sie gerne' (Our staff will be happy to advise you) is a standard phrase in retail.

Die Mitarbeiter der Bank sind stets freundlich und hilfsbereit.

Furthermore, in academic settings, 'wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter' are the backbone of university research. If you are watching a German TV show set in a hospital or police station, you will hear the chiefs referring to their 'Mitarbeiter'. It is also common in the service industry; for instance, a restaurant might mention their 'langjährigen Mitarbeiter' (long-term employees) in a celebratory post. In social media professional networks like LinkedIn (or its German equivalent Xing), the term is used in job titles and descriptions constantly. Understanding the frequency and variety of these contexts helps a learner realize that 'Mitarbeiter' is not just a vocabulary word, but a central pillar of German social and economic structure.

Ein Mitarbeiter des Kundenservice wird sich in Kürze bei Ihnen melden.

Viele Mitarbeiter nutzen das Jobticket für den Arbeitsweg.

Der Mitarbeiter am Empfang hat mir den Weg gezeigt.

Alle Mitarbeiter sind zur Weihnachtsfeier eingeladen.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing Mitarbeiter with Kollege. While 'colleague' and 'co-worker' are often interchangeable in English, in German, 'Kollege' implies a peer relationship—someone on the same level as you. If you are the CEO, you wouldn't usually call your subordinates 'meine Kollegen' unless you are trying to sound very egalitarian; you would call them 'meine Mitarbeiter'. Conversely, if you are an entry-level employee, you refer to the person at the next desk as 'mein Kollege', not 'mein Mitarbeiter' (which would imply you employ them). Another mistake is the gender-neutral trap. Using 'der Mitarbeiter' for a woman is grammatically incorrect; you must use 'die Mitarbeiterin'.

The 'Kollege' vs 'Mitarbeiter' Trap
Mitarbeiter = Employee (hierarchical/contractual). Kollege = Peer (social/professional level).
Plural Dative '-n'
Forgetting the 'n' in 'mit den Mitarbeitern' is a classic A2/B1 mistake. Always add 'n' to plural nouns in the dative case if they don't already end in 'n' or 's'.
False Friend: 'Worker'
Don't translate 'worker' as just 'Arbeiter' in an office context. 'Arbeiter' sounds like manual labor. Use 'Mitarbeiter' for office staff.

Falsch: Ich spreche mit die Mitarbeiter. Richtig: Ich spreche mit den Mitarbeitern.

Additionally, learners often struggle with the capitalization. In German, all nouns are capitalized, so 'mitarbeiter' with a lowercase 'm' is always a spelling error. Another nuance is the use of 'Personal'. While 'Personal' means 'staff' or 'personnel', it is a collective noun and cannot be used to refer to a single person. You cannot say 'Er ist ein Personal'; you must say 'Er ist ein Mitarbeiter'. Lastly, be careful with the word 'Arbeitnehmer'. While it is a synonym, it is very dry and legalistic. Using it in a casual conversation about your team would sound like you are reading a law textbook. Stick to 'Mitarbeiter' for a natural flow in daily German.

Falsch: Sie ist ein guter Mitarbeiter. Richtig: Sie ist eine gute Mitarbeiterin.

Falsch: Mein Mitarbeiter (referring to a colleague). Richtig: Mein Kollege.

Falsch: Die Mitarbeiter (singular feminine). Richtig: Die Mitarbeiterin.

Falsch: Ein Mitarbeiter (when referring to a freelancer without a contract). Richtig: Ein Freelancer / Freier Mitarbeiter.

The German language has a rich vocabulary for people in the workforce, and Mitarbeiter sits at the center of this web. To truly master the word, one must understand its synonyms and near-synonyms. Each word carries a different 'flavor' or register. For example, 'Angestellter' is more formal and implies a specific social security status. 'Arbeitnehmer' is the legal term. 'Kollege' is the social term. 'Belegschaft' refers to the entire staff as a collective body. 'Personal' is the general term for staff, often used in HR contexts. Understanding these differences allows a speaker to choose the precise word for the situation.

Mitarbeiter vs. Kollege
Mitarbeiter is the functional role (employee). Kollege is the interpersonal role (co-worker/peer).
Mitarbeiter vs. Arbeitnehmer
Mitarbeiter is used in daily life and internal company comms. Arbeitnehmer is used in contracts and legal disputes.
Mitarbeiter vs. Angestellter
Angestellter usually implies office work (white-collar). Mitarbeiter is more inclusive of all roles.

Wir haben neue Kollegen im Team, die sehr erfahren sind.

In a more specialized sense, you might encounter 'Fachkraft' (skilled worker) or 'Hilfskraft' (unskilled assistant). These words describe the qualification level of the Mitarbeiter. In large corporations, you might hear 'Teammitglied' (team member), which is a modern, less hierarchical way of saying Mitarbeiter. Another interesting term is 'Mitarbeitende', which is the substantive participle form. It is increasingly popular in academic and progressive corporate environments because it is naturally gender-neutral in the plural. While 'die Mitarbeiter' can be seen as the generic masculine, 'die Mitarbeitenden' avoids this debate entirely. As a learner, being aware of these shifts in language shows a high level of cultural competence.

Das Personal im Hotel war äußerst zuvorkommend.

Als Arbeitnehmer haben Sie ein Recht auf bezahlten Urlaub.

Die Belegschaft stimmte gegen die neuen Arbeitszeiten.

Er ist ein geschätzter Fachmann und ein toller Mitarbeiter.

How Formal Is It?

難易度

知っておくべき文法

N-Declension (though Mitarbeiter is not one, it's often confused)

Plural Dative -n

Compound Nouns (Determinativkomposita)

Adjective Declension with Masculine Nouns

Gender-neutral language (Gendern)

レベル別の例文

1

Er ist ein Mitarbeiter.

He is an employee.

Subject (Nominative)

2

Ist der Mitarbeiter neu?

Is the employee new?

Question with 'sein'

3

Mein Mitarbeiter heißt Hans.

My employee is named Hans.

Possessive pronoun 'mein'

4

Wir haben einen Mitarbeiter.

We have one employee.

Accusative case 'einen'

5

Der Mitarbeiter arbeitet viel.

The employee works a lot.

Present tense verb

6

Sie ist eine Mitarbeiterin.

She is an employee (female).

Feminine form '-in'

7

Wo ist der Mitarbeiter?

Where is the employee?

Interrogative 'Wo'

8

Das sind die Mitarbeiter.

Those are the employees.

Plural nominative

1

Ich spreche mit dem Mitarbeiter.

I am speaking with the employee.

Dative case after 'mit'

2

Die Firma sucht neue Mitarbeiter.

The company is looking for new employees.

Plural accusative

3

Er hilft den Mitarbeitern.

He helps the employees.

Dative plural '-n'

4

Jeder Mitarbeiter bekommt einen Bonus.

Every employee gets a bonus.

Indefinite pronoun 'jeder'

5

Der Mitarbeiter kommt aus Berlin.

The employee comes from Berlin.

Preposition 'aus' + Dative

6

Wie viele Mitarbeiter hat das Hotel?

How many employees does the hotel have?

Quantity question

7

Ein freundlicher Mitarbeiter hat mir geholfen.

A friendly employee helped me.

Adjective declension

8

Wir brauchen einen Mitarbeiter für die IT.

We need an employee for IT.

Accusative object

1

Der Mitarbeiter, den ich gestern traf, war sehr kompetent.

The employee I met yesterday was very competent.

Relative clause in accusative

2

Das Mitarbeitergespräch findet um 10 Uhr statt.

The performance review takes place at 10 AM.

Compound noun

3

Alle Mitarbeiter müssen an der Schulung teilnehmen.

All employees must participate in the training.

Modal verb 'müssen'

4

Er arbeitet als freier Mitarbeiter für die Zeitung.

He works as a freelancer for the newspaper.

Preposition 'als' for roles

5

Die Zufriedenheit der Mitarbeiter ist gestiegen.

Employee satisfaction has increased.

Genitive plural

6

Wir informieren die Mitarbeiter über die neuen Regeln.

We are informing the employees about the new rules.

Verb 'informieren' + über

7

Trotz der Krise wurden keine Mitarbeiter entlassen.

Despite the crisis, no employees were laid off.

Preposition 'trotz' + Genitive

8

Ein erfahrener Mitarbeiter leitet das Projekt.

An experienced employee is leading the project.

Adjective declension

1

Die Mitarbeiterführung erfordert viel Fingerspitzengefühl.

Leading employees requires a lot of tact.

Abstract compound noun

2

Das Unternehmen legt Wert auf die Weiterbildung seiner Mitarbeiter.

The company values the further education of its employees.

Possessive 'seiner' in genitive

3

Viele Mitarbeiter identifizieren sich stark mit der Firma.

Many employees identify strongly with the company.

Reflexive verb 'sich identifizieren'

4

Die Rechte der Mitarbeiter sind im Arbeitsvertrag geregelt.

The rights of the employees are regulated in the employment contract.

Passive voice

5

Wir suchen einen Mitarbeiter mit fundierten Kenntnissen in SAP.

We are looking for an employee with sound knowledge of SAP.

Prepositional phrase

6

Der Mitarbeiter wurde wegen seiner herausragenden Leistungen befördert.

The employee was promoted because of his outstanding achievements.

Causal preposition 'wegen'

7

Die Kommunikation zwischen Management und Mitarbeitern muss verbessert werden.

Communication between management and employees needs to be improved.

Dative plural after 'zwischen'

8

Ein motivierter Mitarbeiter trägt maßgeblich zum Erfolg bei.

A motivated employee contributes significantly to success.

Separable verb 'beitragen'

1

Die psychologische Bindung der Mitarbeiter an das Unternehmen ist entscheidend.

The psychological bond of employees to the company is crucial.

Nominalization

2

Es gilt, die Potenziale jedes einzelnen Mitarbeiters voll auszuschöpfen.

It is important to fully exploit the potential of every single employee.

Infinitive construction with 'zu'

3

Die Mitarbeiterpartizipation wird in diesem Betrieb großgeschrieben.

Employee participation is a high priority in this company.

Passive voice 'wird großgeschrieben'

4

In Zeiten des Fachkräftemangels ist die Mitarbeiterakquise eine Herausforderung.

In times of skilled labor shortage, employee acquisition is a challenge.

Genitive construction

5

Der Mitarbeiter fungiert als Schnittstelle zwischen Technik und Kunde.

The employee acts as an interface between technology and the customer.

Verb 'fungieren als'

6

Die Fluktuation unter den Mitarbeitern konnte gesenkt werden.

The turnover among employees could be reduced.

Modal passive

7

Eine wertschätzende Unternehmenskultur wirkt sich positiv auf die Mitarbeiter aus.

An appreciative corporate culture has a positive effect on employees.

Reflexive separable verb

8

Die Belange der Mitarbeiter werden vom Betriebsrat vertreten.

The interests of the employees are represented by the works council.

Passive voice with 'von'

1

Die Entfremdung des Mitarbeiters von seiner Arbeit ist ein zentrales Thema der Soziologie.

The alienation of the employee from his work is a central theme in sociology.

Complex genitive structure

2

Man muss den Mitarbeiter als ganzheitliches Individuum begreifen.

One must understand the employee as a holistic individual.

Modal verb with abstract object

3

Die Transformation der Arbeitswelt stellt hohe Anforderungen an die Flexibilität der Mitarbeiter.

The transformation of the working world places high demands on the flexibility of employees.

Prepositional object 'an'

4

Inwiefern korreliert die Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit mit der langfristigen Rentabilität?

To what extent does employee satisfaction correlate with long-term profitability?

Interrogative adverb 'Inwiefern'

5

Die Mitarbeiter sind das Rückgrat jeglicher organisationalen Resilienz.

Employees are the backbone of any organizational resilience.

Metaphorical usage

6

Es bedarf einer Neudefinition des Verhältnisses zwischen Arbeitgeber und Mitarbeiter.

There is a need for a redefinition of the relationship between employer and employee.

Impersonal 'es bedarf' + Genitive

7

Die intrinsische Motivation der Mitarbeiter lässt sich nicht durch monetäre Anreize erzwingen.

The intrinsic motivation of employees cannot be forced through monetary incentives.

Reflexive 'lässt sich' as passive substitute

8

Der Mitarbeiter ist nicht bloßes Rädchen im Getriebe, sondern Gestalter des Wandels.

The employee is not just a small cog in the machine, but a shaper of change.

Correlative conjunction 'nicht nur... sondern auch' variant

よく使う組み合わせ

neuer Mitarbeiter
fleißiger Mitarbeiter
ehemaliger Mitarbeiter
freier Mitarbeiter
wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter
motivierter Mitarbeiter
kompetenter Mitarbeiter
festangestellter Mitarbeiter
langjähriger Mitarbeiter
engagierter Mitarbeiter

よく混同される語

der Mitarbeiter vs Kollege (peer vs employee)

der Mitarbeiter vs Arbeiter (manual vs general)

der Mitarbeiter vs Arbeitgeber (employer vs employee)

間違えやすい

der Mitarbeiter vs

der Mitarbeiter vs

der Mitarbeiter vs

der Mitarbeiter vs

der Mitarbeiter vs

文型パターン

使い方

feminine form

Mitarbeiterin is mandatory for females.

singular vs plural

The form is identical in nominative singular and plural.

よくある間違い
  • Use 'Kollege' for people on your level.

  • Nouns ending in -er are usually masculine; add -in for feminine.

  • Preposition 'mit' requires dative case.

  • 'Personal' is a collective noun and cannot be used for one person.

  • The word implies someone working for a company, not leading it.

ヒント

Dative Plural

Always remember the 'n' in 'den Mitarbeitern'. It is a very common mistake for learners. If you are giving something to the employees, use the 'n'!

Compound Power

German loves compound nouns. You can put almost any department before 'mitarbeiter' to create a specific title, like 'IT-Mitarbeiter' or 'Vertriebsmitarbeiter'.

The Boss Perspective

If you are a manager, calling your team 'meine Mitarbeiter' is correct and professional. If you want to sound more like a team player, you can use 'meine Kollegen'.

Inclusivity

In modern German writing, use 'Mitarbeiter/-innen' or 'Mitarbeitende' to be inclusive. This is especially important in academic and large corporate environments.

The Soft 'R'

The 'er' at the end of 'Mitarbeiter' is not a hard 'r'. It sounds more like a very short, soft 'a'. Listen to native speakers to get the rhythm right.

Retail Context

In a store, if you need help, look for a 'Mitarbeiter'. You can ask: 'Entschuldigung, sind Sie ein Mitarbeiter hier?'

CV Writing

When listing your experience, use 'Mitarbeiter im Bereich [Department]' to describe your role. It sounds professional and clear.

Coffee Break Talk

When talking to a colleague about another employee, 'der Kollege aus der anderen Abteilung' is more natural than 'der Mitarbeiter'.

Contracts

If you see 'Arbeitnehmer' in your contract, don't worry. It's just the legal way of saying 'Mitarbeiter'. They mean the same thing in that context.

News Keywords

When listening to German news about the economy, 'Mitarbeiter' is a keyword. It often appears in stories about job growth or layoffs.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'MIT' (like the university where people WORK) and 'ARBEITER' (worker). You work WITH (mit) others.

語源

Germanic compound

文化的な背景

Germans use 'Mitarbeiter' to denote the employment relationship, while 'Kollege' is used for peers.

The term 'Mitarbeitende' is becoming the standard for inclusive plural usage.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

会話のきっかけ

"Wie viele Mitarbeiter hat Ihre Firma?"

"Sind die Mitarbeiter in Ihrem Team nett?"

"Suchen Sie gerade neue Mitarbeiter?"

"Was macht einen guten Mitarbeiter aus?"

"Haben Sie heute ein Mitarbeitergespräch?"

日記のテーマ

Beschreibe einen Mitarbeiter, den du gut findest.

Was ist dir als Mitarbeiter wichtig? (Gehalt, Urlaub, Team?)

Möchtest du lieber Mitarbeiter oder Chef sein? Warum?

Wie sieht ein typischer Tag für einen Mitarbeiter in deinem Land aus?

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der ein Mitarbeiter dir geholfen hat.

よくある質問

10 問

Grammatically, 'der Mitarbeiter' is masculine, but it can be used as a generic term for any employee. However, to be specific or inclusive, use 'Mitarbeiterin' for women or 'Mitarbeitende' for a mixed group. In modern German, using only the masculine form is becoming less common in formal contexts.

A 'Mitarbeiter' is someone who has a contract with a company (an employee). A 'Kollege' is someone you work with on a similar level (a co-worker). A boss has 'Mitarbeiter', but those 'Mitarbeiter' are 'Kollegen' to each other. It's about your perspective and the hierarchy.

You can use 'die Mitarbeiter' (the employees), 'das Personal' (the personnel), or 'die Belegschaft' (the workforce). 'Die Mitarbeiter' is the most common and friendly way to refer to the staff in a general sense.

Yes, it is a professional and standard term. It is appropriate for business meetings, emails, and official documents. It is neither overly formal like 'Arbeitnehmer' nor informal like some industry-specific slang.

Yes, but you should say 'freier Mitarbeiter'. This specifies that they work for the company but are not a permanent employee with a standard contract. It is a very common term in media and creative industries.

This is a specific job title in German universities, usually translated as 'research associate' or 'graduate assistant'. They are employees who conduct research and often teach while working on their PhD or Habilitation.

The nominative plural is 'die Mitarbeiter'. The only change happens in the dative case, where it becomes 'den Mitarbeitern'. The genitive plural is 'der Mitarbeiter'. So, most of the time, the word looks the same.

This is a legal requirement in Germany to ensure that job advertisements are inclusive of all genders: männlich (male), weiblich (female), and divers (diverse/non-binary). It prevents discrimination in the hiring process.

Sometimes, especially in compound words like 'Projektmitarbeiter' (project assistant/member). However, 'Assistent' is a separate word. 'Mitarbeiter' is broader and implies a member of the team rather than just someone who assists.

No. 'Arbeiter' usually refers to manual or industrial labor (blue-collar). 'Mitarbeiter' is a more modern, general term that includes office workers, specialists, and service staff.

自分をテスト 200 問

writing

Write a sentence using 'der Mitarbeiter'.

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writing

Describe your job using the word 'Mitarbeiter'.

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writing

Write a formal greeting to your staff.

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writing

Explain the difference between 'Mitarbeiter' and 'Kollege'.

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writing

What makes a good employee? (Use 'Mitarbeiter')

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writing

Write a short job advertisement for a 'Mitarbeiter'.

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writing

Discuss 'Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit' in 3 sentences.

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Describe a 'Mitarbeitergespräch' you had.

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Why is 'Mitarbeiterbindung' important?

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writing

Write about the impact of AI on 'Mitarbeiter'.

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writing

What is a 'freier Mitarbeiter'?

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Describe your ideal 'Mitarbeiter'.

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writing

How do you motivate 'Mitarbeiter'?

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writing

Write a sentence with 'den Mitarbeitern'.

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writing

Write a sentence with 'des Mitarbeiters'.

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writing

Use 'Mitarbeitende' in a sentence.

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writing

What is 'Mitarbeiterfluktuation'?

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writing

Write a sentence about 'Mitarbeiterführung'.

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writing

Explain 'Mitarbeiterrabatt'.

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writing

Describe a 'wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter'.

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speaking

Say: 'I am an employee.'

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speaking

Ask: 'How many employees do you have?'

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speaking

Say: 'The employees are very nice.'

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speaking

Say: 'I am talking to the employee.'

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speaking

Ask: 'Where is the employee?'

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speaking

Say: 'We need new employees.'

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speaking

Say: 'He is a motivated employee.'

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speaking

Say: 'I have a meeting with my employees.'

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speaking

Say: 'Employee satisfaction is high.'

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speaking

Say: 'She is a research associate.'

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speaking

Say: 'I help the employees.'

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speaking

Say: 'The employee is new here.'

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speaking

Say: 'We are looking for a marketing employee.'

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speaking

Say: 'The employee works from home.'

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speaking

Say: 'Every employee gets a bonus.'

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speaking

Say: 'I am a freelancer.' (using Mitarbeiter)

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speaking

Say: 'The employee is very competent.'

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speaking

Say: 'The staff is friendly.' (using Mitarbeiter)

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speaking

Say: 'I have a performance review today.'

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speaking

Say: 'The employee turnover is low.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Der Mitarbeiter ist hier.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Wir haben zehn Mitarbeiter.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Sprechen Sie mit den Mitarbeitern.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Ein neuer Mitarbeiter fängt heute an.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Das Mitarbeitergespräch war gut.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Die Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit ist uns wichtig.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Er ist ein freier Mitarbeiter.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Die Mitarbeiter wurden informiert.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Wir fördern unsere Mitarbeiter.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Mitarbeiterführung ist eine Kunst.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Jeder Mitarbeiter zählt.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Wo sind die Mitarbeiter?'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Ein kompetenter Mitarbeiter hilft.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Die Mitarbeiterparkplätze sind voll.'

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listening

Listen and write: 'Die Mitarbeiterbindung ist hoch.'

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/ 200 correct

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