donor / dispenser
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donor
A person or organization that voluntarily gives money, goods, or something similar to a good cause, a person, or an institution.
Ein anonymer Spender hat dem Museum eine große Summe zukommen lassen.
An anonymous donor gave the museum a large sum of money.
donor
A person who provides blood, organs, tissue, or sperm for medical purposes.
Für die Transplantation wurde dringend ein passender Organspender gesucht.
A suitable organ donor was urgently needed for the transplant.
dispenser
A container or device that dispenses a substance (e.g., soap, disinfectant, paper towels) in portions.
Der Seifenspender im Badezimmer ist leer und muss nachgefüllt werden.
The soap dispenser in the bathroom is empty and needs to be refilled.
The word 'Spender' (donor/dispenser) is derived directly from the verb 'spenden' (to donate). The ending '-er' is often used in German to refer to a person or thing that performs a certain action.
Wer regelmäßig spendet, ist ein wichtiger Spender für die Organisation.
Someone who donates regularly is an important donor for the organization.
You can easily recognize from the context whether a person or a container is meant. If it is about money, blood, or organs, a person is meant. If it involves soap, paper, or disinfectant, a container is meant.
Ein großzügiger Spender finanzierte die neue Orgel in der Kirche.
A generous donor financed the new organ in the church.
In medical contexts, 'Spender' (donor) is often expanded into compounds such as 'Blutspender' (blood donor), 'Organspender' (organ donor), or 'Knochenmarkspender' (bone marrow donor). An important adjective in this context is 'passend' (suitable/matching).
Für die Patientin muss dringend ein passender Spender gefunden werden.
A suitable donor urgently needs to be found for the patient.
When 'Spender' (dispenser) refers to a container, the typical verbs used with it are 'auffüllen' (to fill up) or 'nachfüllen' (to refill). You also often hear that the dispenser is 'leer' (empty).
Könntest du bitte den Seifenspender im Bad nachfüllen?
Could you please refill the soap dispenser in the bathroom?
sponsor
Sponsor and Spender can both refer to a person or company that financially supports a project. A Sponsor often expects public attention or advertising in return, as agreed. A Spender gives voluntarily to a good cause, without such advertising being the main focus. The specific agreement determines which term is more appropriate.
Der Spender unterstützte das Turnier freiwillig, ohne eine Werbeleistung zu verlangen.
The donor voluntarily supported the tournament without asking for advertising in return.
Der Sponsor finanzierte das Turnier und wurde auf den Plakaten genannt.
The sponsor financed the tournament and was named on the posters.
