recipient / receiver
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recipient
A person or institution that receives something, for example a letter, a package, a message, or a payment.
Der Empfänger des Pakets muss den Erhalt mit seiner Unterschrift bestätigen.
The recipient of the package must confirm receipt with their signature.
'Der Empfänger' (recipient/receiver) is derived from the verb 'empfangen' (to receive). The ending '-er' forms a masculine noun that refers to the person or thing that performs the action. The recipient/receiver is therefore the one who receives something.
Wer ist der Empfänger dieser E-Mail?
Who is the recipient of this email?
The exact meaning of 'Empfänger' (recipient/receiver) becomes clear from the context. If it is about mail or money, it refers to a person. If it is about technology and signals, it refers to a device. In a medical context, it is a person who receives an organ or blood.
Bitte schreiben Sie die Adresse des Empfängers deutlich auf den Umschlag.
Please write the recipient's address clearly on the envelope.
In postal communication, the combination 'Absender und Empfänger' (sender and recipient) is a fixed pair. A common note on letters that cannot be delivered is 'Empfänger unbekannt verzogen' (recipient moved, address unknown).
Der Brief kam zurück mit dem Vermerk: „Empfänger unbekannt“.
The letter came back with the note: 'recipient unknown'.
In the technical meaning, 'Empfänger' (receiver) is often the second part of a compound noun. The first part describes what is being received, for example 'Satellitenempfänger' (satellite receiver) or 'Funkempfänger' (radio receiver).
Für den Fernseher brauchen wir einen neuen Satellitenempfänger.
We need a new satellite receiver for the TV.
station / sender
'der Sender' and 'der Empfänger' belong to the same situation, but they are on different sides. 'der Sender' sends something off or transmits a signal. 'der Empfänger' receives something or picks up a signal. This can refer to letters, packages, messages, or technology. Learners may confuse the words because they are often mentioned together. A simple question helps: Who sends or transmits? That is the 'Sender'. Who gets or receives? That is the 'Empfänger'.
Der Empfänger der E-Mail ist heute nicht im Büro.
The recipient of the email is not in the office today.
Auf dem Paket steht der Sender oben links.
On the package, the sender is listed in the upper left.