German word

Gesellschafter

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈzɛlʃaftɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbusiness partner

Example

Ein Gesellschafter führt das Geschäft zusammen mit seinem Partner.

A business partner runs the business together with his partner.

Illustration for Gesellschafter (business partner)

More examples

Der stille Gesellschafter bleibt im Hintergrund und beteiligt sich nicht an der Geschäftsführung.

A silent partner remains in the background and does not participate in management.

Core concept

A group of co-owners supports one enterprise, with each member linked to its assets, decisions, and obligations.

Common phrases

  • geschäftsführender Gesellschafter

    managing partner

  • stiller Gesellschafter

    silent partner

  • Mehrheitsgesellschafter

    majority shareholder

Similar words

Teilhaber: A business co-owner who receives a share of profits and bears related responsibilities.
Partner: A commercial associate who runs a business jointly with another person.
Aktionär: A shareholder in a stock corporation with voting rights and possible dividend income.
Geschäftsführer: A managing director who holds executive authority over a company's daily operations.

Definition in German

Mitglied einer Firma oder Gesellschaft, das als Teilhaber Kapital, Rechte oder Pflichten mit anderen trägt.

Word origin

Gesellschaft comes from Geselle with the suffix -schaft, and Gesellschafter adds -er to name a person belonging to such an association.

Usage tips

  • Gesellschafter is broader than Aktionär: it can denote a member of a GmbH or other entity, whereas Aktionär specifically means a shareholder in an AG.

Other meanings

  • investornoun
  • shareholdernoun

Opposites

  • Einzelunternehmersole proprietornoun
  • Alleininhabersole ownernoun

Related words

  • Gesellschaftervertragshareholders' agreementnoun
  • Gesellschafteranteilshareholder's stakenoun
  • Gesellschafterwechselchange of shareholdernoun

Word lists with this word