provider / breadwinner
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provider
A company that supplies the population and other businesses with basic services such as electricity, gas, water, or district heating.
Wir müssen den Zählerstand an unseren Strom-Versorger melden.
We need to report the meter reading to our electricity provider.
breadwinner
A person who provides for others, usually their own family, and ensures that their material needs are met.
Früher war oft der Mann der alleinige Versorger der Familie.
In the past, the man was often the sole breadwinner of the family.
'Der Versorger' (provider/breadwinner) is derived from the verb 'versorgen' (to supply someone or something with what is needed). The ending '-er' refers to the person or institution that carries out this action.
Es ist die Aufgabe der Eltern, ihre Kinder zu versorgen.
It is the parents' responsibility to provide for their children.
The meaning depends heavily on the context. If it is about electricity, gas, or water, it means a company. If people are talking about a family and its income, it means a person who provides for the household.
Unser lokaler Versorger hat die Strompreise erhöht.
Our local provider has raised electricity prices.
When a company is meant, 'Versorger' (provider) is often specified more precisely, for example as 'Energieversorger' (energy supplier), 'Stromanbieter' (electricity provider), or 'Wasserversorger' (water supplier). Common verbs are 'den Versorger wechseln' (to change providers) or 'sich beim Versorger anmelden' (to register with the provider).
Viele Menschen vergleichen online die Preise, bevor sie den Gas-Versorger wechseln.
Many people compare prices online before changing their gas provider.
In the meaning of 'person who provides for the household', the word often describes a role in the family. A typical phrase is 'der alleinige Versorger der Familie sein' (to be the sole breadwinner of the family).
In vielen Familien tragen heute beide Elternteile als Versorger zum Einkommen bei.
In many families today, both parents contribute to the income as breadwinners.
provider
An Anbieter offers a tariff or service on the market. Versorger more specifically refers to a company that actually supplies households or businesses with an essential service such as electricity or gas. Anbieter is appropriate when comparing tariffs; for ongoing supply, Versorger is more suitable.
Unser Versorger beliefert das Haus weiterhin mit Strom.
Our provider continues to supply the house with electricity.
Wir vergleichen mehrere Anbieter für unseren Stromtarif.
We are comparing several providers for our electricity tariff.
