innkeeper
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innkeeper
A person who professionally owns or runs an inn, pub, or restaurant and is responsible for serving and looking after the guests.
Der Gastwirt zapfte persönlich ein frisches Bier für seine Stammgäste.
The innkeeper personally tapped a fresh beer for his regular guests.
The word is made up of 'Gast' (guest) and 'Wirt' (host/innkeeper). A 'Wirt' is a person who serves and hosts guests. So the 'Gastwirt' is literally the 'host for the guests'.
Der freundliche Gastwirt begrüsste jeden Besucher persönlich.
The friendly innkeeper greeted every visitor personally.
The word belongs to a family around the stem 'Wirt'. This also includes 'das Wirtshaus' (the inn/pub building) and the verb 'bewirten' (to serve/host guests).
Es ist seine Leidenschaft, Gäste in seinem Wirtshaus zu bewirten.
It is his passion to serve guests in his inn.
'Gastwirt' (innkeeper) is the official occupational title. You might find it, for example, on business cards or in official documents.
Er ist eingetragener Gastwirt und darf alkoholische Getränke ausschenken.
He is a registered innkeeper and is allowed to serve alcoholic beverages.
An innkeeper 'betreibt' (operates) or 'führt' (runs) an inn. He 'empfängt' (welcomes) guests, 'kümmert sich um' (takes care of) them, and 'bewirtet' (serves/hosts) them.
Seit 20 Jahren betreibt er als Gastwirt das kleine Hotel am See.
He has been running the small hotel by the lake as an innkeeper for 20 years.
innkeeper / host
Both words refer to a person who runs a pub, inn, or restaurant as a profession. Gastwirt explicitly emphasizes the profession and responsibility for serving and looking after the guests, while Wirt is the shorter and somewhat more general term. In a specific establishment, either word is possible.
Der Gastwirt ist für die Bewirtung der Gäste verantwortlich.
The innkeeper is responsible for serving and looking after the guests.
Der Wirt führt seit Jahren das Gasthaus am Marktplatz.
The innkeeper has been running the pub on the market square for years.
