bank clerk
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bank clerk
A male person who has completed commercial training in banking and works professionally at a bank or another financial institution. The female form is die Bankkauffrau.
Der Bankkaufmann hat uns kompetent zu unserer Geldanlage beraten.
The bank clerk gave us competent advice about our investment.
This word is a compound of 'Bank' (bank) and 'Kaufmann' (businessman/merchant). A 'Kaufmann' is a person who works in commerce — here, specifically in the banking business.
Als Bankkaufmann muss man gut mit Zahlen umgehen können.
As a bank clerk, you have to be good with numbers.
'Bankkaufmann' (bank clerk) is an official job title in Germany. It requires completed vocational training, usually lasting three years.
Nach dem Abitur möchte sie eine Ausbildung zur Bankkauffrau machen.
After finishing secondary school, she wants to do vocational training to become a bank clerk.
Common phrases are 'eine Ausbildung zum Bankkaufmann machen' (to do vocational training to become a bank clerk) or 'als Bankkaufmann arbeiten' (to work as a bank clerk).
Er arbeitet seit zehn Jahren als Bankkaufmann bei der Sparkasse.
He has been working as a bank clerk at the savings bank for ten years.
merchant / businessman
'der Kaufmann' and 'der Bankkaufmann' look similar and can therefore easily be confused. 'Kaufmann' is the general term for a person who works in trade or in commercial tasks. 'Bankkaufmann' is much more specific: he has commercial training in banking and works at a bank or financial institution. A 'Bankkaufmann' is therefore a particular type of 'Kaufmann', but not every 'Kaufmann' works in a bank. When it is about accounts, loans, or advice at the bank, 'Bankkaufmann' is correct.
Nach dem Gespräch erklärt der Bankkaufmann dem Kunden die Bedingungen für den Kredit.
After the meeting, the bank clerk explains the terms of the loan to the customer.
Der Kaufmann verhandelt mit einem Lieferanten über bessere Preise.
The merchant negotiates with a supplier for better prices.