craftsman / tradesperson
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tradesperson
A person who professionally carries out a skilled trade, such as a carpenter, electrician, or plumber.
Wir haben einen Handwerker bestellt, der die kaputte Heizung reparieren soll.
We called a tradesperson to repair the broken heating system.
The word is made up of 'Hand' (hand) and 'Werk' (work/craft). A 'Handwerker' (craftsman/tradesperson) is therefore literally a person who creates a work or performs a job with their hands.
Gutes Handwerk erfordert viel Übung und Geschick.
Good craftsmanship requires a lot of practice and skill.
Common verbs used with 'Handwerker' are 'einen Handwerker rufen' (to call a tradesperson), 'einen Handwerker beauftragen' (to hire/commission a tradesperson), or the statement 'Wir haben Handwerker im Haus' (We have tradespeople in the house).
Wir müssen einen Handwerker für das undichte Dach beauftragen.
We need to hire a tradesperson for the leaky roof.
The figurative meaning can be recognized from the context, which usually refers to art, music, or literature. It describes a person who works with technical perfection but lacks the creativity or genius of an artist.
Der Pianist ist ein solider Handwerker, aber seine Interpretation ist nicht sehr emotional.
The pianist is a solid craftsman, but his interpretation is not very emotional.
master / champion
'der Meister' and 'der Handwerker' can both refer to a person in a skilled trade. The difference lies in the level of training. A 'Handwerker' works professionally with practical skills, for example as an electrician or carpenter. A 'Meister' is a tradesperson who has passed a special examination. They are often allowed to run a business and train apprentices. Learners may confuse the words because every Meister in a trade is also a Handwerker. But not every Handwerker is a Meister.
Für die kaputte Heizung haben wir am Montag einen Handwerker gerufen.
We called a tradesperson on Monday about the broken heating system.
Der Meister erklärt dem neuen Lehrling, wie man die Maschine sicher benutzt.
The master craftsman explains to the new apprentice how to use the machine safely.