Händlerin

Händlerin is a German noun that denotes a woman who buys and sells goods, i.e., a female merchant, trader, or shopkeeper. It is the feminine form of Händler (merchant). The term is used in everyday language as well as in historical contexts to specify gender in commercial roles.

Etymology: Händlerin is formed by adding the feminine suffix -in to Händler. The base Händler derives from handeln, meaning to trade. The suffix -in marks female agents in German, creating a parallel to other gendered job titles.

Usage: In modern German, Händlerin is commonly used for women involved in retail, markets, or commerce. The plural form is Händlerinnen, referring to multiple female merchants. For groups that include men as well as women, it is standard to say Händlerinnen und Händler, or to use a gender-neutral phrasing where appropriate.

Alternatives: The traditional gendered pair in commerce is Kaufmann (merchant) and Kauffrau (merchant, female). In contemporary writing, some speakers prefer neutral terms such as Verkaufsperson or Handelsperson to avoid gender specification, depending on style and context.

See also: Händler, Kauffrau, Kaufmann, Handel. Historical notes: The term Händlerin appears in older texts and in descriptions of market life, reflecting the presence of women in trade across German-speaking regions.