Direktor
Direktor 30초 만에
- Direktor refers to a high-ranking executive or institutional head like a principal or museum chief.
- The feminine form is Direktorin, and the plural is Direktoren (masculine/mixed) or Direktorinnen (feminine).
- It is a false friend for 'film director', which is 'Regisseur' in German.
- Commonly used in compound nouns like Schuldirektor, Bankdirektor, or Marketingdirektor.
The German noun Direktor (masculine) or Direktorin (feminine) refers to a person who holds a high-ranking administrative or executive position within an organization. Unlike the English word 'director' which is frequently used in the film industry (where Germans use Regisseur), the German Direktor is most commonly associated with institutions like schools, museums, banks, or large corporate departments. It implies a level of authority that involves decision-making, personnel management, and representation of the institution to the outside world. In the context of a school, the Direktor is the principal. In a museum, they are the curator-in-chief or head of the institution. In a corporate setting, the title often denotes a head of a specific division, though it is increasingly being supplemented by English titles like 'Head of' or 'Manager' in modern startup culture.
- Institutional Context
- Refers to the head of a public or private institution such as a school (Schuldirektor) or a prison (Gefängnisdirektor).
- Corporate Context
- A senior executive, often reporting to the board (Vorstand) or the managing director (Geschäftsführer).
- Cultural Context
- The artistic or administrative leader of a theater, opera house, or museum.
"Der Direktor der Schule hielt eine inspirierende Rede zur Abschlussfeier." (The school principal gave an inspiring speech at the graduation ceremony.)
"Frau Müller wurde zur neuen Direktorin des Stadtmuseums ernannt." (Ms. Müller was appointed as the new director of the city museum.)
"Der Bankdirektor prüfte den Kreditantrag persönlich." (The bank director personally reviewed the loan application.)
"Als Direktor trägt er die volle Verantwortung für die Abteilung." (As director, he bears full responsibility for the department.)
"Die Direktoren trafen sich zur Quartalsbesprechung." (The directors met for the quarterly meeting.)
- Synonyms
- Leiter, Chef, Geschäftsführer, Vorsteher.
- Antonyms
- Angestellter, Untergebener, Praktikant.
Using Direktor correctly requires understanding the hierarchy of German institutions. In formal address, it is common to use the title if the person holds it, especially in academic or very traditional business settings (e.g., 'Sehr geehrter Herr Direktor'). However, in modern business, titles are becoming less formal. When referring to a school principal, Direktor is the standard term in many German states, though Schulleiter is also widely used and often preferred in official administrative language. In the corporate world, a Direktor is usually one level below the Vorstand (Board of Directors) or Geschäftsführung (Managing Directors). It is a title of respect and significant seniority.
"Der Direktor bittet Sie in sein Büro." (The director asks you into his office.)
When forming compound nouns, Direktor is very flexible. You can specify the field of expertise by prefixing it: Marketingdirektor, Finanzdirektor, Zoodirektor. Note that for women, the form is always Direktorin, and the plural for women is Direktorinnen. If you are referring to a mixed group, the masculine plural Direktoren was traditionally used, but modern German often uses gender-neutral forms or mentions both (Direktoren und Direktorinnen).
- Genitive Case
- Des Direktors (e.g., Das Büro des Direktors).
- Dative Plural
- Den Direktoren (e.g., Ich gab den Direktoren die Unterlagen).
You will encounter the word Direktor in several specific environments. In a school setting, students might whisper 'Der Direktor kommt!', signaling a need for discipline. In news reports, you will hear it when a high-ranking official of a bank or a major corporation is being interviewed or mentioned in a scandal. In cultural news, the appointment of a new Museumsdirektor or Intendant (a specific type of director for theaters/broadcasting) is a common headline. In literature and film (older ones especially), the 'Herr Direktor' is a stereotypical figure of authority, often portrayed as stern, well-dressed, and slightly detached from the everyday workers.
The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using Direktor for a movie director. This is a classic 'false friend'. If you want to talk about Steven Spielberg, he is a Regisseur. Another mistake is confusing Direktor with Geschäftsführer. While both are leaders, a Geschäftsführer is the legal representative of a GmbH (limited liability company), whereas Direktor is often just a functional title within a larger hierarchy. Finally, remember the gender: a female director is always a Direktorin. Calling a woman 'der Direktor' is grammatically incorrect in German.
There are several words that overlap with Direktor. Leiter is a more general term for 'leader' or 'head' (e.g., Teamleiter). Chef is the colloquial word for 'boss'. Vorstand refers to the board of a stock corporation (AG). Präsident is used for universities or very large associations. Intendant is specifically used for the head of a public theater, opera, or radio station. Understanding these nuances helps you choose the right word for the specific organizational structure you are describing.
How Formal Is It?
발음 가이드
난이도
알아야 할 문법
Nouns ending in -or (plural -oren)
Genitive case for masculine nouns
Compound noun formation
Feminine suffix -in
Titles in formal address
수준별 예문
Der Direktor ist im Büro.
The director is in the office.
Nominative masculine singular.
Ist das dein Direktor?
Is that your director?
Possessive pronoun 'dein'.
Die Direktorin kommt heute.
The (female) director is coming today.
Feminine form 'Direktorin'.
Mein Vater ist Direktor.
My father is a director.
Predicate noun without article for professions.
Wir suchen den Direktor.
We are looking for the director.
Accusative case 'den Direktor'.
Der Direktor heißt Herr Schmidt.
The director's name is Mr. Schmidt.
Proper name usage.
Der Direktor arbeitet viel.
The director works a lot.
Simple present tense.
Danke, Herr Direktor.
Thank you, Mr. Director.
Formal address.
Ich muss mit dem Direktor sprechen.
I must speak with the director.
Dative case after 'mit'.
Der Schuldirektor ist sehr streng.
The school principal is very strict.
Compound noun 'Schuldirektor'.
Unsere Direktorin ist neu in der Firma.
Our director is new in the company.
Possessive 'unsere'.
Kennen Sie den Direktor von der Bank?
Do you know the director of the bank?
Formal 'Sie' and accusative.
Die Direktoren haben eine Besprechung.
The directors are having a meeting.
Plural 'Direktoren'.
Das ist das Auto des Direktors.
That is the director's car.
Genitive case 'des Direktors'.
Der Direktor gibt uns heute frei.
The director is giving us the day off today.
Dative object 'uns'.
Sie möchte später Direktorin werden.
She wants to become a director later.
Modal verb 'möchte'.
Der Direktor hat den Vertrag bereits unterschrieben.
The director has already signed the contract.
Perfect tense.
Ohne die Erlaubnis des Direktors dürfen wir nichts tun.
Without the director's permission, we are not allowed to do anything.
Preposition 'ohne' + accusative, then genitive.
Der neue Direktor plant viele Änderungen.
The new director is planning many changes.
Adjective declension 'neue'.
Haben Sie den Bericht an den Direktor geschickt?
Did you send the report to the director?
Preposition 'an' + accusative.
Der Direktor ist für das gesamte Personal verantwortlich.
The director is responsible for the entire staff.
Adjective with preposition 'verantwortlich für'.
Trotz der Kritik blieb der Direktor bei seiner Entscheidung.
Despite the criticism, the director stuck to his decision.
Preposition 'trotz' + genitive.
Die Direktorin leitet die Abteilung seit fünf Jahren.
The director has been leading the department for five years.
Preposition 'seit' + dative.
Der Direktor wurde gestern interviewt.
The director was interviewed yesterday.
Passive voice.
Der Direktor betonte die Wichtigkeit der Teamarbeit.
The director emphasized the importance of teamwork.
Simple past 'betonte'.
Es ist die Aufgabe des Direktors, die Strategie festzulegen.
It is the director's task to define the strategy.
Infinitiv mit zu.
Der Direktor vertritt das Unternehmen nach außen.
The director represents the company externally.
Reflexive/Transitive usage.
Wir warten auf die Stellungnahme des Direktors.
We are waiting for the director's statement.
Genitive 'des Direktors'.
Der Direktor wies die Vorwürfe entschieden zurück.
The director firmly rejected the allegations.
Separable verb 'zurückweisen'.
Unter der Leitung des neuen Direktors stiegen die Gewinne.
Under the leadership of the new director, profits rose.
Prepositional phrase with genitive.
Der Direktor forderte mehr Engagement von den Mitarbeitern.
The director demanded more commitment from the employees.
Dative plural 'Mitarbeitern'.
Die Direktorin hat eine beeindruckende Karriere hinter sich.
The director has an impressive career behind her.
Idiomatic 'hinter sich haben'.
Die Kompetenzen des Direktors sind in der Satzung genau festgelegt.
The director's competencies are precisely defined in the statutes.
Technical vocabulary 'Satzung'.
Der Direktor fungiert als Bindeglied zwischen Vorstand und Belegschaft.
The director acts as a link between the board and the workforce.
Verb 'fungieren als'.
Dem Direktor wurde für seine langjährigen Verdienste gedankt.
The director was thanked for his many years of service.
Dative passive 'Dem Direktor wurde gedankt'.
Die Entscheidung obliegt allein dem Direktor.
The decision rests solely with the director.
Verb 'obliegen' + dative.
Der Direktor mahnte zur Vorsicht bei den Investitionen.
The director urged caution regarding the investments.
Verb 'mahnen zu'.
In seiner Eigenschaft als Direktor unterzeichnete er das Dokument.
In his capacity as director, he signed the document.
Prepositional phrase 'In seiner Eigenschaft als'.
Der Direktor sah sich gezwungen, personelle Konsequenzen zu ziehen.
The director felt forced to take personnel-related consequences.
Reflexive 'sah sich gezwungen'.
Die Vision des Direktors prägte die Entwicklung des Instituts maßgeblich.
The director's vision significantly shaped the institute's development.
Adverb 'maßgeblich'.
Die Ära des scheidenden Direktors war von beispiellosem Wachstum geprägt.
The era of the outgoing director was characterized by unprecedented growth.
Participle 'scheidend' as adjective.
Es bedarf einer Genehmigung durch den geschäftsführenden Direktor.
It requires approval by the managing director.
Impersonal 'Es bedarf' + genitive.
Der Direktor lavierte geschickt zwischen den verschiedenen Interessengruppen.
The director skillfully maneuvered between the various interest groups.
Sophisticated verb 'lavieren'.
Trotz seiner Position als Direktor blieb er stets nahbar.
Despite his position as director, he always remained approachable.
Adjective 'nahbar'.
Die Direktive des Direktors wurde kontrovers diskutiert.
The director's directive was controversially discussed.
Noun 'Direktive' vs 'Direktor'.
Der Direktor verkörpert die Werte des Unternehmens par excellence.
The director embodies the company's values par excellence.
French loan phrase.
Inwieweit der Direktor in die Affäre verstrickt ist, bleibt unklar.
To what extent the director is entangled in the affair remains unclear.
Indirect question with 'inwieweit'.
Die Amtszeit des Direktors neigt sich dem Ende zu.
The director's term of office is drawing to a close.
Idiomatic 'sich dem Ende zuneigen'.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
사용법
Less common in startups, very common in established institutions.
The plural 'Direktoren' is the most common form for a group.
- Using 'Direktor' for a film director.
- Forgetting the -in ending for women.
- Using the wrong plural form (e.g., 'Direktore' instead of 'Direktoren').
- Using 'Direktor' for a low-level manager.
- Misplacing the word stress.
팁
Plural formation
Masculine nouns ending in -or usually take -en in the plural. Example: Direktor -> Direktoren.
False Friend
Never use 'Direktor' for movies. Use 'Regisseur' instead to sound like a native.
Formal Address
In Germany, using titles can be important. 'Herr Direktor' is safer than just 'Herr Schmidt' in formal contexts.
Compounds
You can create many words by adding 'Direktor' to the end of a department name.
Word Stress
The stress is on the second syllable. Practice saying 'di-REK-tor' clearly.
Context
Use 'Direktor' for institutions like museums, schools, and banks.
Genitive
Don't forget the 's' in the genitive: 'des Direktors'.
Job Titles
In modern companies, 'Director' is often used in English even in German sentences.
Authority
The word carries a sense of authority and seniority.
Association
Associate 'Direktor' with 'Direction'—the person who gives the direction to the company.
암기하기
기억법
Think of a 'Director' in a suit directing a bank, but NOT a movie set.
어원
From Latin 'director' (leader, guide), from 'dirigere' (to set straight, direct).
문화적 맥락
Often used in address.
High formality level.
Always use -in for women.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"Wer ist der Direktor dieser Schule?"
"Haben Sie schon mit dem Direktor gesprochen?"
"Was macht ein guter Direktor aus?"
"Ist der Direktor heute im Haus?"
"Wie wird man eigentlich Museumsdirektor?"
일기 주제
Stell dir vor, du bist Direktor einer großen Firma. Was würdest du ändern?
Beschreibe deinen ehemaligen Schuldirektor.
Warum ist die Position eines Direktors so verantwortungsvoll?
Würdest du lieber Direktor oder Angestellter sein?
Welche Eigenschaften muss eine gute Direktorin haben?
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Nicht ganz. Ein Direktor ist meist ein höherer Titel in einer festen Hierarchie, während Manager ein allgemeinerer Begriff für Führungskräfte ist.
Man nennt ihn Schuldirektor oder Schulleiter.
Nein, das ist ein Fehler. Ein Filmregisseur ist ein 'Regisseur'.
Der Plural ist 'die Direktoren'.
Man betont das 'e': di-REK-tor.
In manchen Bereichen, wie im öffentlichen Dienst, ist es eine offizielle Amtsbezeichnung.
Er leitet eine Organisation, trifft wichtige Entscheidungen und führt Mitarbeiter.
Ja, das bezeichnet das Amt oder das Büro des Direktors.
Das ist die weibliche Form von Direktor.
In sehr formalen Situationen oder in traditionellen Branchen als höfliche Anrede.
셀프 테스트 180 질문
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The German word 'Direktor' denotes administrative and executive leadership in institutions and corporations, requiring a formal tone and careful distinction from creative 'directors' (Regisseure).
- Direktor refers to a high-ranking executive or institutional head like a principal or museum chief.
- The feminine form is Direktorin, and the plural is Direktoren (masculine/mixed) or Direktorinnen (feminine).
- It is a false friend for 'film director', which is 'Regisseur' in German.
- Commonly used in compound nouns like Schuldirektor, Bankdirektor, or Marketingdirektor.
Plural formation
Masculine nouns ending in -or usually take -en in the plural. Example: Direktor -> Direktoren.
False Friend
Never use 'Direktor' for movies. Use 'Regisseur' instead to sound like a native.
Formal Address
In Germany, using titles can be important. 'Herr Direktor' is safer than just 'Herr Schmidt' in formal contexts.
Compounds
You can create many words by adding 'Direktor' to the end of a department name.
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