der Prokurist, -en
authorized signatory
Definition & meaning
A Prokurist is a person who has been granted Prokura—a broad, legally defined authority to represent a business in commercial matters. A Prokurist can, for example, sign contracts on the company’s behalf. The authority generally does not include selling or mortgaging company real estate unless this is specifically permitted.
The word refers to the person holding this authority, not necessarily to the company’s owner or managing director.
Grammar & word origin
Prokurist is a masculine noun: der Prokurist. Its plural is die Prokuristen. The feminine form is die Prokuristin, plural die Prokuristinnen.
It is formed from Prokura , the commercial authority itself, and the suffix -ist, meaning a person associated with or holding something. Prokura ultimately comes from Latin procurare, “to manage” or “to take care of.”
Synonyms & antonyms
There is no exact everyday synonym. Handlungsbevollmächtigter (“commercially authorized representative”) is related, but usually has a more limited authority than a Prokurist. Geschäftsführer (“managing director”) is not a synonym: that person manages the company and may have a different legal role.
There is no direct antonym. A nicht vertretungsberechtigter Mitarbeiter (“employee without authority to represent the company”) is a practical contrast, rather than a true opposite.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “Prokurist” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Ein Prokurist arbeitet im Büro.noun
An authorized signatory works in the office.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad