head / prostate
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head
A person who leads and is responsible for an organization, department, municipality, or institution. The term is often used in formal, official, or religious contexts.
Der Vorsteher des Finanzamtes hielt eine Ansprache an die Mitarbeiter.
The head of the tax office gave a speech to the employees.
prostate
In anatomy, an outdated or colloquial term for the prostate, a gland of the male reproductive system.
Bei der Untersuchung stellte der Arzt eine Vergrößerung des Vorstehers fest.
During the examination, the doctor found an enlargement of the prostate.
The noun 'der Vorsteher' is derived from the verb 'vorstehen' (to head/be in charge of). This means 'to stand at the head' or 'to lead something'. A Vorsteher is therefore literally the person who 'stands in front'.
Er steht dem gesamten Departement vor.
He heads the entire department.
The two meanings are easy to distinguish. If it is about an institution, an authority, or a religious community, it means the leader. If people speak of 'dem Vorsteher' (the prostate) in a medical context, the prostate is meant.
Der Vorsteher der Gemeinde begrüßte die neuen Mitglieder.
The head of the congregation welcomed the new members.
As a term for a person in a leadership position, 'Vorsteher' (head) is rather formal and is often used in official or traditional contexts. Examples include 'Amtsvorsteher' (head of an administrative office) or 'Gemeindevorsteher' (community leader).
Der Vorsteher des Klosters ist für die Verwaltung verantwortlich.
The head of the monastery is responsible for administration.
The use of 'Vorsteher' for the prostate is considered outdated or colloquial today. In modern medical terminology, this term is hardly used anymore.
Mein Großvater nannte die Prostata immer „den Vorsteher“.
My grandfather always called the prostate 'den Vorsteher'.
board
Vorstand usually refers to a governing body, but it can also mean an individual member of that body. Vorsteher, on the other hand, is a single person who leads an organization, department, or institution. Use Vorstand for a governing body or one of its members, and Vorsteher for the person in charge.
Als Vorsteher entscheidet Herr Klein über die Arbeit seiner Abteilung.
As the head of the department, Mr. Klein decides how his department's work is carried out.
Als Vorstand entscheidet Herr Klein gemeinsam mit den anderen Mitgliedern über den Haushaltsplan.
As a board member, Mr. Klein decides on the budget together with the other members.
