das  Auskommen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌkɔmən/

💰 What does "das Auskommen" mean?

Das Auskommen is a German noun with the article das (neuter). It primarily has two meanings:

• Livelihood / Income / Subsistence: This refers to the financial means someone needs or has available to live. It describes whether someone has enough money to cover their basic needs. Example: Er hat ein bescheidenes Auskommen. (He has a modest livelihood.)
• Getting along / Harmony (Interpersonal relationship): Less common as a noun, but closely related to the verb auskommen mit jemandem (to get along with someone), it can also mean a good relationship or the ability to get along well with others. Example: Ein gutes Auskommen mit den Nachbarn ist wichtig. (Getting along well with the neighbours is important.)

🚨 Attention: The noun is almost exclusively used in the singular. The plural form is very uncommon.

It's derived directly from the verb auskommen (e.g., mit Geld auskommen - to manage with money, mit jemandem auskommen - to get along with someone).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Das Auskommen in Detail

Das Auskommen is neuter (sächlich) and is generally used only in the singular. It belongs to the group of nominalized verbs (verbs turned into nouns).

A plural form theoretically exists ("die Auskommen"), but it's practically never used.

Example Sentences

1. Mit seinem Gehalt hat er ein gutes Auskommen.
   (With his salary, he has a good livelihood / he can live well.)
2. Sie sorgte für das tägliche Auskommen ihrer Familie.
   (She provided for her family's daily subsistence.)
3. Das Auskommen mit den Kollegen ist manchmal schwierig.
   (Getting along with colleagues is sometimes difficult - here the noun reflects the verb's meaning.)

💡 How to use "das Auskommen"?

Das Auskommen is mostly used in the context of finances and standard of living.

• Typical Phrases:
  • ein gutes/bescheidenes/sicheres Auskommen haben: describes the financial situation (to have a good/modest/secure livelihood).
  • sein Auskommen finden/sichern: means to earn or secure one's own livelihood.
  • für jemandes Auskommen sorgen: to take care that someone has enough to live on.
• Distinction from the verb "auskommen": The noun das Auskommen primarily refers to the result (the livelihood). The verb auskommen describes the process or state: mit Geld auskommen (to manage with money), mit jemandem auskommen (to get along with someone). The noun is rarely used for the second meaning of the verb (interpersonal relationship), although theoretically possible (e.g., das gute Auskommen - the good relationship). One would more likely say: "Wir kommen gut miteinander aus." (We get along well.)
• Context: Often found in discussions about social security, salaries, pensions, or the general standard of living.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

• Article Mnemonic: Think of das Einkommen (the income) or das Leben (the life). Both are neutral concepts related to finances and existence, just like das Auskommen. It's 'something' (neutral 'das') that you have or don't have.
• Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have to 'come out' (aus-kommen) okay with your money, managing it to survive. If you 'come out' well financially, you have a good Auskommen (livelihood). Or: You need to 'come out' well socially (interact well) with people to have a good Auskommen (relationship).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Auskommen

⚠️ Similar Words: Don't confuse with das Abkommen (agreement, treaty) or das Ankommen (arrival).

😂 A Little Joke

Chef: "Kommen Sie mit Ihrem Gehalt aus?"
Mitarbeiter: "Ja, meistens komme ich gut aus. Aber meine Frau, die Kinder und die Gläubiger leider nicht!"

Translation:
Boss: "Can you manage with your salary?" (Literally: "Do you come out with your salary?")
Employee: "Yes, mostly I manage well. But my wife, the kids, and the creditors unfortunately don't!"

📜 Poem about Auskommen

Das Geld ist knapp, die Miete hoch,
man fragt sich bang: Reicht's heute noch?
Ein jeder braucht sein Auskommen,
hätt' gern ein Stück vom Glück genommen.
Doch nicht nur Zaster zählt allein,
auch mit dem Nachbarn nett zu sein,
ein gutes Wort, ein Lächeln mild,
macht oft das schönste Lebensbild.

Translation:
Money is tight, the rent is high,
one asks fearfully: Is it enough for today?
Everyone needs their livelihood (Auskommen),
would like to have taken a piece of luck.
But not only cash counts alone,
also being nice to the neighbor,
a kind word, a gentle smile,
often creates the most beautiful picture of life.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin mal gut, mal karg bemessen,
man braucht mich dringend für das Essen.
Ich kann auch Harmonie bedeuten,
im Umgang mit verschied'nen Leuten.
Mal hab ich's schwer, mal hab ich's leicht,
hab oft mit Geld zu tun – vielleicht?

Was bin ich?

Translation:
Sometimes I'm good, sometimes sparsely measured,
I'm urgently needed for food.
I can also mean harmony,
in dealing with different people.
Sometimes I have it hard, sometimes easy,
I often have to do with money – maybe?

What am I?

Solution: das Auskommen (livelihood / getting along)

➕ Other Information

Word Formation: The word Auskommen is a nominalized verb (substantiviertes Verb). It is formed by converting the verb auskommen (infinitive) into a noun by adding the neuter article das. This process is very common in German (e.g., das Laufen - running, das Essen - eating/food, das Denken - thinking).

Historical Context: The term was particularly relevant in times of economic uncertainty or in the context of historical class societies, where having a livelihood appropriate to one's social standing ("standesgemäßes Auskommen") played a role.