Mitführerin

Mitführerin is the feminine form of the German noun Mitführer, a compound of mit (with, together) and Führer (leader, guide). The term denotes a person who shares leadership duties with another, effectively a co-leader, partner in command, or deputy in organizational contexts. The masculine form is Mitführer; the feminine form, used for women, is Mitführerin.

In contemporary German, Mitführer and Mitführerin are relatively uncommon in everyday language. More frequent terms for female leadership partners are Mitvorsitzende or Co-Vorsitzende, and for a deputy, Stellvertreterin or Stellvertreter, depending on context. The word appears mainly in historical documents, formal titles, or literary usage, and can carry strong historical connotations because of its potential association with the Nazi-era title Führer. Due to these associations, many modern organizations prefer neutral terms to avoid unfavourable implications.

Usage of Mitführerin emphasizes the role as a partner in leading rather than merely an assistant; the precise meaning depends on context and organizational practice. The term also highlights gender-marking patterns in German noun formation and illustrates how the suffix -in creates feminine forms from masculine compounds.