customs officer
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customs officer
An officer of the customs authority who is responsible for checking goods, people, and vehicles at national borders.
Der Zöllner kontrollierte den Pass und fragte nach mitgebrachten Waren.
The customs officer checked the passport and asked about goods being brought in.
tax collector
In a historical or biblical context, a tax collector who was often considered dishonest or hated.
In der Bibel wird die Geschichte des Zöllners Zachäus erzählt.
The Bible tells the story of the tax collector Zacchaeus.
The word 'Zöllner' (customs officer) derives directly from 'der Zoll' (customs duty). 'Zoll' is a fee that must be paid when transporting goods across a border. A 'Zöllner' is therefore the person who checks and collects customs duties.
Am Flughafen mussten wir durch die Zollkontrolle, aber die Zöllner waren sehr freundlich.
At the airport we had to go through customs control, but the customs officers were very friendly.
In the modern context, a 'Zöllner' (customs officer) is often associated with verbs such as 'kontrollieren' (to check), 'prüfen' (to inspect), 'durchsuchen' (to search), or 'fragen' (to ask). These describe typical activities at the border.
Der Zöllner prüfte unsere Ausweise und das Gepäck.
The customs officer checked our IDs and the luggage.
You will find this historical meaning as a tax collector almost exclusively in religious (e.g. biblical) or historical texts. In everyday language, it always means the customs officer at the border.
Im Neuen Testament wird oft von den Pharisäern und den Zöllnern gesprochen.
In the New Testament, the Pharisees and the tax collectors are often mentioned.
