porter
der Portier, die Portiers
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porter
A person who welcomes visitors at the entrance to a hotel or another busy public building, monitors access, and provides information.
Der Portier gab den Gästen den Zimmerschlüssel und erklärte ihnen den Weg zum Frühstücksraum.
The porter gave the guests their room key and explained how to get to the breakfast room.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Portiers |
| genitive | des Portiers |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Portier | die Portiers die Portiere |
| accusative | den Portier | die Portiers die Portiere |
| dative | dem Portier | den Portiers den Portieren |
| genitive | des Portiers | der Portiers der Portiere |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Portier' (porter) and 'Pförtner' (gatekeeper or porter) refer to the same role at an entrance. 'Portier' is mainly used in hotels and large residential or office buildings, while 'Pförtner' is more common at factory gates, in companies, or in hospitals.
Der Portier des Hotels kannte jeden Stammgast.
The hotel porter knew every regular guest.
Im Bürogebäude saß ein Portier hinter dem Empfangstresen.
A porter sat behind the reception desk in the office building.
In hotels, 'Portier' (porter) is often used in connection with welcoming and assisting guests. Typical phrases include 'den Portier fragen' (to ask the porter), 'vom Portier begrüßt werden' (to be greeted by the porter), and 'dem Portier Trinkgeld geben' (to tip the porter).
Die Gäste fragten den Portier nach einem guten Restaurant in der Nähe.
The guests asked the porter about a good restaurant nearby.
porter / gatekeeper
Pförtner and Portier welcome visitors at the entrance and often control access. Portier is especially suitable for hotels and buildings with a lot of public traffic, while Pförtner is more common in businesses or government offices. The type of building helps determine the choice, but the two words can overlap.
Der Portier des Hotels nahm meinen Koffer entgegen.
The hotel porter took my suitcase.
Der Pförtner des Betriebs prüfte meinen Besucherausweis.
The company’s gatekeeper checked my visitor pass.
