adjective
self-employed, independent
A1
Adjective meaning “self-employed” (running one’s own business) or “independent” (not dependent). Commonly describes people or businesses; it’s gradable (selbstständiger, am selbstständigsten) and not reflexive. Antonyms include abhängig/unselbstständig. No special preposition; normal adjective agreement in German. Also used to describe someone able to manage tasks alone.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Er arbeitet seit zwei Jahren selbstständig.
He has been self-employed for two years.
Eine selbstständige Person organisiert ihre Arbeit eigenständig.
An independent person organizes their work on their own.
Obwohl sie lange für andere arbeitete, wurde sie im letzten Jahr selbstständig, sodass sie ihre Arbeitszeiten frei wählen konnte.
Although she worked for others for a long time, she became self-employed last year, so she could choose her working hours freely.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a person setting up their own business stall — self-employed.
Selbstständig sounds like 'self-stand-ing' — standing on one's own.
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VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Also spelled 'selbständig' (variant). Can mean 'self-employed' (profession) or 'independent' (able to work on one's own).