committee member / assessor
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committee member
A person who is a member of a committee, court, or board but does not chair it. Beisitzer generally have voting rights and support the chairperson.
Bei der mündlichen Prüfung saßen neben dem Prüfer noch zwei Beisitzer.
At the oral exam, two committee members sat alongside the examiner.
The word is made up of 'bei' (near/next to) and 'sitzen' (to sit). A 'Beisitzer' is literally a person who 'sits next to' someone, for example next to a chairperson or judge.
Das Gericht bestand aus einem Richter und zwei Beisitzern.
The court consisted of one judge and two assessors.
The meaning as a person who sits next to the driver is outdated today and is now used only in historical contexts. In modern usage, it almost always means a member of a committee or board.
In alten Romanen liest man manchmal vom Kutscher und seinem Beisitzer.
In old novels, you sometimes read about the coachman and his passenger.
The word is used mainly in official contexts. Typical examples are 'Beisitzer bei einer Prüfung' (committee member at an exam), 'Beisitzer in einem Ausschuss' (member of a committee), or 'Beisitzer im Vorstand' (board member) of an association.
Für die Wahl wurden drei Beisitzer ernannt, die die Stimmen auszählten.
Three committee members were appointed for the election to count the votes.
member
'das Mitglied' and 'der Beisitzer' both describe a person who belongs to a group or committee. 'Mitglied' is general: the person belongs to a club, organization, or team. 'Beisitzer' is a specific role on a board, in a court, or on a committee. A Beisitzer works with the group and can often take part in decisions, but does not chair it. The words can be confused because a Beisitzer is also a member. If you only mean membership, 'Mitglied' fits. If the exact role on the committee is important, 'Beisitzer' fits.
Herr Klein bleibt im Vorstand Beisitzer und unterstützt die Vorsitzende.
Mr. Klein remains a committee member on the board and supports the chairwoman.
Im Kurs erklärt ein neues Mitglied, warum es Deutsch lernen möchte.
In the course, a new member explains why they want to learn German.