der Posten
position
A job or position in an organization or company.
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen neuen Posten als Abteilungsleiter angenommen.
He accepted a new position as department head.
der Posten
position / item / lot
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Meanings
der Posten
item
A single item on a list, especially on invoices, in a budget, or in a list of expenses.
EXAMPLE
Der größte Posten auf der Rechnung waren die Getränke.
The largest item on the bill was the drinks.
der Posten
lot
A certain quantity of goods that is treated or traded as a unit.
EXAMPLE
Der Händler kaufte einen großen Posten alter Möbel auf.
The dealer bought up a large lot of old furniture.
der Posten
post
The position or duty of a guard, for example in the military or police.
EXAMPLE
Der Soldat verließ seinen Posten keine Sekunde.
The soldier did not leave his post for a second.
Usage tips
Context clue
The meaning of 'Posten' depends strongly on context. In a professional setting, it means a job position; on an invoice, a single item; in trade, a quantity of goods; and in the military, a guard post.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat einen gut bezahlten Posten in einer internationalen Firma.
She has a well-paid position in an international company.
Typical collocations
When 'Posten' means a job position, it is often used with verbs like 'annehmen' (to accept), 'bekleiden' (to hold), 'antreten' (to take up/start), or 'aufgeben' (to give up/resign from).
EXAMPLE
Er wird den neuen Posten als Geschäftsführer nächsten Monat antreten.
He will take up the new position as managing director next month.
Register
Using 'Posten' for a job position is rather formal. It is often found in official contexts such as politics, administration, or large companies.
EXAMPLE
Für den Posten des Direktors gibt es mehrere qualifizierte Bewerber.
There are several qualified applicants for the position of director.
Typical collocations
In the financial or administrative meaning, 'Posten' is often connected with words like 'Rechnung' (invoice/bill), 'Budget' (budget), 'Haushalt' (budget/household), or 'Liste' (list).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen die einzelnen Posten im Budget noch einmal genau prüfen.
We need to examine the individual items in the budget carefully once more.
Fixed expressions
In a military or security context, there are fixed expressions like 'auf Posten sein' (to be on duty/at one's post) or 'seinen Posten beziehen' (to take up one's post), which means to stand guard or begin guarding.
EXAMPLE
Die Wache muss die ganze Nacht auf ihrem Posten bleiben.
The guard must remain at her post all night.
Compare with
Posten vs Stelle
place / position
Eine Stelle and a Posten can both refer to a job position in an organization or company. Stelle usually sounds neutral and emphasizes the specific job, while Posten can place more emphasis on the individual organizational position or task. In a job advertisement, Stelle is particularly common.
Posten
Nach einigen Jahren bekam er den Posten des Abteilungsleiters.
After a few years, he became head of the department.
Stelle
Für die freie Stelle im Verkauf suchen wir eine zuverlässige Person.
We are looking for a reliable person for the vacant position in sales.
In real life
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