competitor / applicant
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competitor
A person, company, or organization that is in competition with others, especially in a business context. A synonym is 'Konkurrent' (competitor).
Auf dem Smartphone-Markt gibt es viele starke Mitbewerber.
There are many strong competitors in the smartphone market.
The word consists of the prefix 'Mit-' and the noun 'Bewerber' (applicant). Here, 'Mit-' expresses doing something together. A 'Mitbewerber' is therefore someone who applies 'with' others for something or is in competition.
Er war nur einer von vielen Mitbewerbern um den ersten Preis.
He was only one of many applicants for first prize.
'Mitbewerber' is a masculine noun of the N-declension. This means that in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular it takes the ending '-n'. For example: 'Ich sehe den Mitbewerber-n' (I see the competitor).
Das Unternehmen muss sich gegen einen starken Mitbewerber durchsetzen.
The company has to prevail against a strong competitor.
In this meaning, it is about competition between companies. Signal words here are often 'Markt' (market), 'Konkurrent' (competitor), 'Unternehmen' (company), or 'Produkt' (product).
Unsere Firma hat einen neuen Mitbewerber auf dem asiatischen Markt.
Our company has a new competitor in the Asian market.
This meaning refers to people who are applying for a position. Typical words in the context are 'Stelle' (position), 'Job' (job), 'Preis' (prize), or 'Stipendium' (scholarship).
Es gab über hundert Mitbewerber für die ausgeschriebene Stelle als Projektmanager.
There were over a hundred applicants for the advertised position as project manager.
opponent
'der Gegner' and 'der Mitbewerber' can both mean a person or group competing with someone for the same goal. 'Gegner' is especially suitable for sports, games, debates, or clear conflicts. 'Mitbewerber' is used more for job applications, prizes, or business competition. The words can be confused because both describe another side in a competition. When it is about a job or a market, 'Mitbewerber' sounds more precise; in a game or dispute, 'Gegner' is more natural.
Bei der Bewerbung lernt Lisa zwei Mitbewerber aus anderen Städten kennen.
During the application process, Lisa meets two other applicants from different cities.
Im Finale hat der Spieler einen sehr starken Gegner besiegt.
In the final, the player defeated a very strong opponent.