German word

Zöllner

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsœlnɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncustoms officer

Example

Der Zöllner kontrolliert meinen Koffer.

The customs officer is checking my suitcase.

Illustration for Zöllner (customs officer)

More examples

Am Ausgang sprach mich ein Zöllner an.

At the exit, a customs officer spoke to me.

Core concept

A border-desk official opens a suitcase and checks its papers before letting the goods pass.

Common phrases

  • Zöllner am Frachtterminal

    customs officer at the cargo terminal

  • Zöllner mit strengem Blick

    customs officer with a stern look

Similar words

Zollbeamter: A government customs employee who inspects passenger baggage and determines import duties.
Grenzbeamter: A border official who checks travelers and their luggage as they cross.
Zollfahnder: A customs investigator who handles cases involving suspected smuggling.
Zollkontrolleur: A customs inspector who closely examines luggage contents and documents.

Definition in German

Person, die an der Grenze oder am Flughafen Waren, Gepäck und Dokumente kontrolliert und Zollabgaben sowie Einfuhrbestimmungen durchsetzt.

Word origin

Zöllner is formed from Zoll, meaning customs or duty, with the occupational suffix -ner; Zoll traces through Middle High German zol to Latin teloneum.

Usage tips

  • Zöllner is masculine, with the feminine form Zöllnerin and the plural form Zöllner; Zoll can also name the customs authority or a duty.

Other meanings

  • customs inspectornoun

Related words

  • Zollformalitätcustoms formalitynoun
  • Zolltarifcustoms tariffnoun

Word lists with this word