der Gastarbeiter, –

The German word "Gastarbeiter" is a compound noun made of:

• Gast — guest
• Arbeiter — worker

Meaning:
A Gastarbeiter is a "guest worker," someone who comes from another country to work temporarily, often used to refer to foreign laborers invited to Germany, especially during the 1950s–1970s.

Similar words:

• Ausländer (foreigner) — broader term for any foreign person
• Arbeitsmigrant (migrant worker) — worker who moves for job reasons
• Fremdarbeiter (foreign laborer) — often with a more negative or historical connotation

Differences:

• Gastarbeiter emphasizes the temporary and guest-like status within the host country.
• Ausländer is more general and doesn’t imply work or guest status.
• Arbeitsmigrant focuses on migration for work but not necessarily a guest status.
• Fremdarbeiter often carries historical or legal negative implications (e.g., during WWII).