schrauber

Schrauber is a German noun used to describe a person who repairs, assembles, or tinkers with mechanical devices, especially cars. The term can refer to professional mechanics as well as hobbyists who work on engines, electronics, or other machinery. In everyday speech, a Schrauber is often someone who takes things apart and puts them back together, emphasizing practical, hands-on work rather than formal engineering.

Etymology: from schrauben “to screw” plus the agent suffix -er. The sense originally described a worker who handles screws, but it broadened to mean a technician or craftsman dealing with mechanical assemblies.

Usage: Schrauber is a neutral to informal term. In professional contexts, more formal terms such as Mechaniker or Techniker are common, while in informal speech Schrauber can carry a friendly or affectionate tone, as in “ein leidenschaftlicher Schrauber” (a passionate tinkerer) or “der Schrauber aus der Werkstatt.”

Variants and related terms: Schraubendreher (screwdriver) and Schraubenschlüssel (wrench) share the root schrauben. The feminine form is Schrauberin and the plural is Schrauber when referring to a mixed or male group, with Schrauberinnen used for an all-female group.

Geographic notes: The word is widely used in Germany and Austria and is understood in other German-speaking areas; connotations can vary by region, with some contexts emphasizing informal tinkering and others focusing on professional repair work.