01
der Bäcker
baker
A person whose job is to make bread, rolls, cakes, and other baked goods.
example
Mein Onkel ist Bäcker und muss jeden Morgen um drei Uhr aufstehen.
My uncle is a baker and has to get up at three o'clock every morning.
der Bäcker
baker / bakery
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Bäcker' (baker) is derived from the verb 'backen' (to bake). The ending '-er' is often used in German to refer to professions or people who perform a certain activity.
EXAMPLE
Er hat das Backen von seinem Vater gelernt und ist jetzt selbst Bäcker.
He learned baking from his father and is now a baker himself.
Cultural context
In Germany, going to the bakery has great cultural significance. It is very common to buy fresh baked goods such as rolls or bread directly from the bakery every day or on the weekend.
EXAMPLE
Sonntagmorgen ohne frische Brötchen vom Bäcker ist für viele unvorstellbar.
For many people, Sunday morning without fresh rolls from the bakery is unthinkable.
Context clue
The preposition helps show whether the person or the shop is meant. 'Zum Bäcker gehen' means to go to the bakery. 'Mit dem Bäcker sprechen' refers to the person.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte auf dem Heimweg zum Bäcker gehen?
Could you please go to the bakery on your way home?
Typical collocations
When the shop is meant, 'Bäcker' (bakery) is often used with prepositions of movement or location: 'zum Bäcker gehen' (to go to the bakery), 'beim Bäcker einkaufen' (to shop at the bakery), or 'etwas vom Bäcker mitbringen' (to bring something from the bakery).
EXAMPLE
Den Kuchen habe ich nicht selbst gebacken, der ist vom Bäcker.
I didn't bake the cake myself; it's from the bakery.
Compare with
Bäcker vs Bäckerei
bakery
'der Bäcker' and 'die Bäckerei' both have to do with bread, rolls, and other baked goods. 'der Bäcker' is first of all the person who makes baked goods. In everyday speech, however, people also say 'Ich gehe zum Bäcker' (I'm going to the bakery) when they mean the shop. 'die Bäckerei' more precisely means the shop or the business. That is why the words can easily be confused. If you mean the person, use 'Bäcker'. If you definitely mean the shop or the business, 'Bäckerei' is more precise.
Bäcker
Der Bäcker holt früh am Morgen frische Brötchen aus dem Ofen.
The baker takes fresh rolls out of the oven early in the morning.
Bäckerei
Nach der Arbeit kaufe ich in der Bäckerei ein Brot und zwei Stück Kuchen.
After work, I buy a loaf of bread and two pieces of cake at the bakery.
In real life
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