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
'der Besitzer' and 'der Eigentümer' both refer to a person to whom something belongs. In everyday language, people often say 'Besitzer' when someone has a car, an animal, or a house. 'Eigentümer' is more precise and legal: it is about who officially owns something and has the right to dispose of it. Learners may confuse the words because they often refer to the same person. If legal precision is needed, 'Eigentümer' is better; in normal conversation, 'Besitzer' usually sounds more natural.
Der Eigentümer der Wohnung muss die Reparatur bezahlen.
The owner of the apartment has to pay for the repair.
Der Besitzer des Hundes wartet vor dem Supermarkt.
The owner of the dog is waiting in front of the supermarket.