investor / pier
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investor
A person or institution that invests money in securities, real estate, or companies in order to make a profit.
Die Anleger reagierten nervös auf die Nachrichten von der Börse.
The investors reacted nervously to the news from the stock exchange.
Both meanings of 'Anleger' are derived from the verb 'anlegen'. 'Geld anlegen' (to invest money) leads to the person 'der Anleger' (the investor). 'Mit dem Schiff anlegen' (to dock with a ship) leads to the place 'der Anleger' (the pier/landing stage).
Ein kluger Anleger informiert sich gut, bevor er Geld anlegt.
A smart investor gathers good information before investing money.
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about money, shares, or the stock exchange, the person (the investor) is meant. If it is about ships, ferries, or a harbor, the place (the landing stage) is meant.
Die Anleger hoffen auf steigende Kurse.
The investors are hoping for rising prices.
When the person is meant, 'Anleger' is often combined with adjectives that describe the investment strategy, e.g. 'private Anleger' (private investors), 'institutionelle Anleger' (institutional investors), or 'risikofreudige Anleger' (risk-taking investors).
Vorsichtige Anleger bevorzugen sichere Investitionen.
Cautious investors prefer safe investments.
When the place is meant, the typical prepositions are 'an' (for position) and 'von' (for departure). You wait 'am Anleger' (at the pier), or the ship departs 'vom Anleger' (from the pier).
Das Ausflugsboot fährt pünktlich vom Anleger ab.
The excursion boat departs from the pier on time.
harbor / port
'der Hafen' and 'der Anleger' can both be places by the water where ships play a role. A harbor or port is a larger area: ships can dock, load, unload, and often find shelter there. A pier or landing stage is usually a specific place or structure by the water where a ship ties up, for example for a ferry. The words can be confused because you can board or leave a ship in both places. If you mean the whole area, you say 'Hafen'. If you mean the specific docking point, 'Anleger' fits better.
Am Anleger warteten schon viele Leute auf die Fähre.
Many people were already waiting for the ferry at the pier.
Am Abend sind wir durch den Hafen gegangen und haben die großen Schiffe gesehen.
In the evening, we walked through the harbor and saw the big ships.