der Bote
messenger
A person who delivers a message or something else on behalf of another person.
EXAMPLE
Ein Bote brachte den versiegelten Brief persönlich zum Empfänger.
A messenger personally delivered the sealed letter to the recipient.
der Bote
messenger / harbinger
der Bote, die Boten
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Meanings
der Bote
harbinger
Something that announces an upcoming event or impending change. This meaning is used figuratively.
EXAMPLE
Die ersten Schneeglöckchen sind Boten des Frühlings.
The first snowdrops are harbingers of spring.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Bote, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Boten |
| genitive | des Boten |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Bote | die Boten |
| accusative | den Boten | die Boten |
| dative | dem Boten | den Boten |
| genitive | des Boten | der Boten |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Context clue
When 'der Bote' (the messenger) appears with verbs such as 'bringen' (to bring), 'übergeben' (to hand over), or 'schicken' (to send), and a person has been given an assignment, it usually refers to someone delivering a message or something else. With natural phenomena, seasons, or social changes, the word is often used figuratively to mean a sign of something to come.
EXAMPLE
Der Bote übergab dem König eine wichtige Nachricht.
The messenger handed the king an important message.
Die dunklen Wolken waren Boten eines nahenden Gewitters.
The dark clouds were harbingers of an approaching thunderstorm.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of a person delivering something, 'Bote' (messenger) often appears in phrases such as 'einen Boten schicken' (to send a messenger), 'etwas durch einen Boten überbringen lassen' (to have something delivered by a messenger), and 'etwas per Boten zustellen' (to have something delivered by messenger).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma schickte einen Boten mit den Unterlagen zum Kunden.
The company sent a messenger with the documents to the customer.
Figurative collocations
In its figurative meaning, 'der Bote' (the harbinger) often appears with genitive phrases such as 'Bote des Frühlings' (harbinger of spring) or 'Bote einer Veränderung' (harbinger of change). It describes a sign that points to something coming.
EXAMPLE
Die Proteste waren die ersten Boten eines politischen Wandels.
The protests were the first harbingers of political change.
In real life
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