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.
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?
recipient / receiver
'der Empfänger' and 'der Spender' often belong to the same situation, but they are on different sides. The recipient gets something, for example money, a package, blood, or an organ. The donor gives something voluntarily, often money or something medical such as blood. The words can be confused because both people are involved in an exchange. The simple guide is: 'der Spender' gives, 'der Empfänger' receives.
Nach der Nachricht überwies Herr Klein als Spender noch einmal fünfzig Euro.
After the news, Mr. Klein, as a donor, transferred another fifty euros.
Der Empfänger der Spende bedankte sich mit einem kurzen Brief.
The recipient of the donation thanked them with a short letter.