resident
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resident
A person who lives in a particular house, apartment, city, or region.
Die Bewohner des Hauses wurden gebeten, die Mülltrennung zu beachten.
The residents of the building were asked to observe the waste-separation rules.
inhabitant
An animal that is native to a particular habitat or area.
Der Biber ist ein typischer Bewohner dieser Flusslandschaft.
The beaver is a typical inhabitant of this river landscape.
The word is derived from the verb 'bewohnen' (to inhabit/live in). A 'Bewohner' (resident/inhabitant) is a person or animal that 'bewohnt' (inhabits) a place. The ending '-er' here marks the person doing the action.
Die neuen Bewohner ziehen nächste Woche ein.
The new residents are moving in next week.
To specify the place that someone inhabits, you usually use the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/from). For example, 'die Bewohner des Hauses' (the residents of the house) or 'die Bewohner von Berlin' (the residents of Berlin).
Die Bewohner des Dorfes feierten gemeinsam ein Fest.
The residents of the village celebrated a festival together.
Whether a person or an animal is meant is always clear from the context. If people are talking about houses, cities, or countries, humans are meant. With forests, seas, or nests, animals are meant.
Die Bewohner der Wohnung über uns sind sehr laut.
The residents of the apartment above us are very loud.
citizen
Both words can refer to a person in a city or municipality. Bewohner emphasizes that the person lives there, while Bürger can additionally highlight their belonging to that community. Use Bewohner for the place where someone lives and Bürger when belonging to the community is important.
Als Bewohner der Stadt suchte sie eine Wohnung in der Nähe ihres Arbeitsplatzes.
As a resident of the city, she looked for an apartment near her workplace.
Als Bürger der Stadt durfte sie bei der Versammlung ihre Meinung sagen.
As a citizen of the city, she was allowed to express her opinion at the meeting.
