owner
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owner
The person or organization that legally owns a thing, a piece of land, or a company and can dispose of it.
Der Eigentümer des Gebäudes ist eine große Investmentfirma.
The owner of the building is a large investment firm.
'Der Eigentümer' (the owner) belongs to the word family of 'eigen' (own). From 'eigen' comes 'das Eigentum' (property), and the person who the property belongs to is the 'Eigentümer' (owner).
Dieses Haus ist mein Eigentum, also bin ich der Eigentümer.
This house is my property, so I am the owner.
The term 'Eigentümer' (owner) emphasizes the legal, formal right to something. It is therefore used especially often in contracts, official documents, and topics such as real estate or companies.
Im Grundbuch ist eingetragen, wer der rechtmäßige Eigentümer des Grundstücks ist.
The land register records who the rightful owner of the property is.
To indicate whom something belongs to, the genitive is usually used. In spoken language, the preposition 'von' (of/from) with the dative is also common.
Wir haben mit dem Eigentümer des Hauses gesprochen.
We spoke with the owner of the house.
owner
Besitzer generally refers to the person who owns a thing. Eigentümer explicitly emphasizes who legally owns it and who can dispose of it. Besitzer is often suitable in everyday contexts; when the legal ownership matters, Eigentümer is more precise.
Im Kaufvertrag wird Paul als Eigentümer des Fahrrads genannt.
The sales contract names Paul as the legal owner of the bicycle.
Paul ist der Besitzer des Fahrrads, das vor dem Haus steht.
Paul is the owner of the bicycle standing in front of the house.
