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der Lenker
handlebar
The bar with grips used to steer a bicycle, moped, or motorcycle.
example
Halte den Lenker mit beiden Händen fest, wenn du bergab fährst.
Hold the handlebar firmly with both hands when you ride downhill.
der Lenker
handlebar / driver / leader
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Meanings
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Usage tips
From verb to noun
The word 'Lenker' (handlebar / driver / leader) is derived from the verb 'lenken' (to steer, to guide). The ending '-er' can refer both to the tool for an action (the steering bar) and to the person who acts (the driver, the leader).
EXAMPLE
Er lenkte das Gespräch geschickt auf ein anderes Thema.
He skillfully steered the conversation to another topic.
Context is key
The meaning becomes clear from the context. With a 'Fahrrad' (bicycle), it means the handlebar. With an 'Unfall' (accident), it means the driver. With 'Geschicke' (fate / affairs) or 'Politik' (politics), it means a leading figure.
EXAMPLE
Der Lenker des Fahrrads verlor die Kontrolle.
The rider of the bicycle lost control of the handlebar.
Formal style
The term 'Lenker' (driver) for a driver is very formal. It is mainly used in official language, for example by the police or in news reports.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei befragt den Lenker des Lastwagens.
The police are questioning the driver of the truck.
Metaphorical use
In a figurative, elevated meaning, 'Lenker' (leader / guiding force) describes a person who has great influence and steers the development of something, for example the 'Geschicke eines Landes' (the fate of a country).
EXAMPLE
Bismarck gilt als Lenker der deutschen Politik im 19. Jahrhundert.
Bismarck is considered a guiding force in German politics in the 19th century.
Compare with
Lenker vs Leiter
leader / conductor
'der Leiter' and 'der Lenker' can both mean a person who sets the direction. 'der Leiter' is the normal word for someone who leads a group, department, or organization. In this meaning, 'der Lenker' sounds more formal or figurative and refers to someone who strongly influences the development of something. Learners may confuse the words because 'leiten' and 'lenken' seem similar. For a normal leadership position, 'Leiter' is usually correct; 'Lenker' fits better in elevated or figurative texts.
Lenker
In dem Artikel wird der Bürgermeister als Lenker der Stadtentwicklung beschrieben.
In the article, the mayor is described as the guiding force behind the city's development.
Leiter
Wegen einer wichtigen Frage ruft Anna den Leiter der Abteilung an.
Because of an important question, Anna calls the department head.
In real life
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