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nounnoun

der Verantwortliche, –

person in charge · responsible person

Personen, die für eine Aufgabe zuständig sind und dafür sorgen müssen, dass sie richtig erledigt wird.

Definition & meaning

Verantwortliche refers to a person who is responsible for something or in charge of it. Depending on context, it can mean “the person responsible,” “the person in charge,” or, in the plural, “those responsible.”

  • die Verantwortliche: the woman responsible
  • der Verantwortliche: the man responsible
  • die Verantwortlichen: the people responsible

It can refer either to someone with authority over a matter or to someone accountable for an action or outcome.

Grammar & Word origin

Verantwortliche is a nominalized adjective: it comes from verantwortlich (“responsible”) and is capitalized when used as a noun. Its ending changes like an adjective ending:

  • die Verantwortliche — the woman responsible
  • ein Verantwortlicher — a man responsible
  • die Verantwortlichen — those responsible

The word is related to Verantwortung (“responsibility”) and the verb verantworten (“to be responsible for” or “to answer for”).

Synonyms & antonyms

  • Zuständige — a person in charge of a particular task or area; emphasizes assigned duties rather than accountability.
  • Vorgesetzte — a superior or supervisor; specifically emphasizes a position in a hierarchy.
  • Schuldige — a guilty person; emphasizes blame, whereas Verantwortliche does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.

There is no direct antonym in every context. Unbeteiligte refers to an uninvolved person and can contrast with those responsible for an event.

Common phrases & collocations

  • die Verantwortlichen informieren — to inform those in charge
  • die Verantwortlichen zur Rechenschaft ziehen — to hold those responsible accountable
  • die Verantwortlichen für ein Projekt — the people responsible for a project

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Examples

Der Verantwortliche wird sich darum kümmern.noun

The person in charge will take care of it.

Die Verantwortliche prüft den Bericht sorgfältig.noun

The responsible person checks the report carefully.

Der Verantwortliche prüft den Bericht sorgfältig.noun

The person in charge carefully reviews the report.

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