arbeiter

Arbeiter is a German noun meaning “worker” or “laborer,” typically referring to a person who performs manual or industrial work. It is masculine in gender; the feminine form is Arbeiterin, and to refer to a mixed-gender group one can say Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter. In plural, the term can function as a collective noun in older or concise usage, but contemporary writing often uses gender-inclusive forms when needed.

Etymology and historical context: The word derives from arbeiten, “to work.” In the 19th and 20th centuries it became a standard label for members of the working class and features prominently in discussions of social history, the labor movement, and socialist politics. Phrases such as Arbeiterklasse (the working class) and Arbeiterbewegung (the workers’ movement) are common in German-language literature.

Modern usage: In everyday German, Arbeiter can denote factory workers, construction workers, and similar occupations (for example Fabrikarbeiter, Bauarbeiter). Many institutions today prefer inclusive language, using Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter or neutral terms like Beschäftigte or Mitarbeitende to avoid gender specification. In historical or political writing, Arbeiter often retains its traditional meaning as part of class analysis or labor movement discourse.

See also: Arbeiterbewegung, Arbeiterklasse, Fabrikarbeiter, Lohnarbeiter. The term also exists as a surname in German-speaking areas. In East German discourse, the phrase Arbeiter und Bauern or references to the Arbeiter- und Bauernstaat reflect historical state ideology.