decision-maker
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decision-maker
A person in a leadership position who has the authority and responsibility to make important and final decisions.
Wir müssen das Konzept den Entscheidern im Vorstand präsentieren, bevor wir weitermachen können.
We have to present the concept to the decision-makers on the board before we can continue.
The word is derived directly from the verb 'entscheiden' (to decide). The ending '-er' refers to a male person who performs the action of the verb. This pattern is very productive in German, e.g. fahren (to drive) -> der Fahrer (the driver).
Als Projektleiter ist er der Entscheider für das Budget.
As project manager, he is the decision-maker for the budget.
The term 'Entscheider' (decision-maker) is used mainly in professional, business, or political contexts. It emphasizes a person's authority and responsibility within a hierarchy.
Die Marketingabteilung muss ihre Vorschläge den Entscheidern vorlegen.
The marketing department has to present its proposals to the decision-makers.
The word is often used in the plural ('die Entscheider' — the decision-makers) to refer to the entire leadership level or a group of responsible people in a company or organization.
Letztendlich liegt die Verantwortung bei den politischen Entscheidern.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the political decision-makers.
boss
'der Chef' and 'der Entscheider' can both mean a person with power in an organization. 'der Chef' is usually the boss or superior, the person who leads a team, department, or company. 'der Entscheider', on the other hand, does not emphasize day-to-day leadership, but the authority to make important decisions finally. Learners may confuse the words because a boss is often also a decision-maker. But not every decision-maker is the direct boss in everyday work, and not every boss decides everything alone. 'Chef' sounds more natural in everyday work situations, while 'Entscheider' fits better in conversations about projects, politics, sales, or important decisions.
Für den Vertrag brauchen wir einen Entscheider, der am Ende Ja oder Nein sagen darf.
For the contract, we need a decision-maker who is allowed to say yes or no in the end.
Nach dem Gespräch gebe ich meinem Chef die neuen Unterlagen.
After the meeting, I will give my boss the new documents.