owner / holder
Loading your saved state.
owner
A female person who owns something, especially a shop, business, or company.
Die Inhaberin des kleinen Buchladens berät ihre Kunden noch persönlich.
The owner of the small bookshop still advises her customers personally.
holder
A female person who holds a particular title, office, or record.
Sie ist die aktuelle Inhaberin des Weltrekords im 100-Meter-Lauf.
She is the current holder of the world record in the 100-meter race.
The word is derived from the verb 'innehaben' (to hold, to possess), which means 'besitzen' (to own) or 'halten' (to hold). An 'Inhaberin' is therefore literally a female person who holds or owns something. The suffix '-in' marks the feminine form.
Die neue Inhaberin hat das Konzept des Restaurants komplett verändert.
The new owner completely changed the restaurant's concept.
To say what someone is the owner or holder of, German usually uses the genitive. Alternatively, especially in spoken language, the preposition 'von' with the dative is also used.
Sie ist die Inhaberin des ältesten Hotels der Stadt.
She is the owner of the oldest hotel in the city.
You can tell from the context whether an owner or a record holder is meant. Words like 'Geschäft' (business/shop), 'Firma' (company), or 'Laden' (shop) point to an owner, while 'Titel' (title), 'Rekord' (record), or 'Amt' (office) refer to the holder of a title.
Die Inhaberin der Bäckerei backt jeden Morgen selbst.
The owner of the bakery bakes everything herself every morning.
In a business context, 'Inhaberin' is often combined with the type of company or business. Typical phrases are 'Inhaberin eines Geschäfts' (owner of a shop/business), 'Inhaberin einer Agentur' (owner of an agency), or 'Inhaberin eines Restaurants' (owner of a restaurant).
Die Inhaberin der kleinen Boutique kennt viele ihrer Stammkunden mit Namen.
The owner of the small boutique knows many of her regular customers by name.
owner
In the context of a business, the Besitzerin and the Inhaberin can be the same woman. Besitzerin emphasizes that she owns the business and can control or dispose of it; Inhaberin focuses especially on her position in the business. When the focus is on her role as the manager or owner of the business, Inhaberin is usually more appropriate.
Als Inhaberin führt Mara das kleine Café und stellt Personal ein.
As the owner, Mara runs the small café and hires staff.
Als Besitzerin kann Mara das kleine Café verkaufen.
As the owner, Mara can sell the small café.
