der Diener
servant
A male person employed in a household to perform personal services for his masters or employers.
EXAMPLE
Der Diener servierte den Tee auf einem Silbertablett.
The servant served the tea on a silver tray.
der Diener
servant
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Meanings
der Diener
valet stand
A piece of furniture, often called a 'Stummer Diener' (valet stand), on which clothing such as suits or shirts can be hung wrinkle-free for the next day.
EXAMPLE
Er hängte sein Jackett ordentlich auf den Diener neben dem Bett.
He neatly hung his jacket on the valet stand next to the bed.
der Diener
servant
In a figurative and often formal sense, a person who subordinates themselves to a cause, an institution, or a higher goal and works for it.
EXAMPLE
Als Richter sah er sich als Diener des Rechts.
As a judge, he saw himself as a servant of the law.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Diener' (servant) is derived directly from the verb 'dienen' (to serve). Someone who serves is a Diener. This helps you understand the basic meaning of the word.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seinem Land treu gedient.
He served his country faithfully.
Historical context
In the meaning of a household servant, the word is outdated today. You mainly find it in historical novels, films, or stories about earlier times.
EXAMPLE
Im Schloss kümmerte sich ein Diener um die Wünsche der Gäste.
In the castle, a servant took care of the guests' wishes.
Fixed expression
As a piece of furniture, the word is almost always part of the term 'Stummer Diener' (valet stand). The name comes from the fact that the piece of furniture 'silently' keeps the clothes ready for the next day.
EXAMPLE
Seinen Anzug für die Konferenz hängte er abends auf den Stummen Diener.
In the evening, he hung his suit for the conference on the valet stand.
Use with genitive
In the figurative, formal meaning, a noun in the genitive often follows in order to say whom or what one serves. This construction is typical of an elevated style.
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker bezeichnete sich als Diener des Volkes.
The politician described himself as a servant of the people.
Compare with
Diener vs Butler
butler
Diener and Butler both work in a private household. A Diener performs personal services, while the Butler, as the highest-ranking servant, usually also manages the service, staff, and organization. Butler is therefore more precise for this managerial role.
Diener
Der Diener brachte dem Hausherrn den Mantel.
The servant brought the head of the household his coat.
Butler
Der Butler teilte dem Personal die Aufgaben für das Abendessen zu.
The butler assigned the staff their tasks for dinner.
In real life
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