das  Elterngeld

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɛltɐnˌɡɛlt/

💰 What does 'Elterngeld' mean?

Das Elterngeld is a governmental benefit in Germany for parents of infants and young children. Its purpose is to compensate for the loss of income that occurs when one or both parents temporarily work less or not at all after the birth of a child to care for them.

It's a financial support system designed to enable parents to take time off for the care of their newborn child. There are different variations, such as Basiselterngeld (basic parental allowance), ElterngeldPlus (parental allowance plus), and the Partnerschaftsbonus (partnership bonus).

🚨 Important: Das Elterngeld is not unemployment benefit and is paid regardless of previous employment status (also available for self-employed individuals, students, housewives/husbands), although the amount is often based on previous income.

🧐 Grammar Check: Das Elterngeld

Das Elterngeld is a noun of neuter gender. It's mostly used in the singular because it refers to a specific type of monetary benefit. A plural form (die Elterngelder) is very rare and would refer to different types or instances of parental allowance payments.

It is a compound noun formed from Eltern (parents, plural) and Geld (money, neuter singular). The gender is determined by the base word Geld (das Geld).

Declension Singular

Example Sentences

1. Habt ihr schon das Elterngeld beantragt?
   (Have you applied for the parental allowance yet?)
2. Die Höhe des Elterngeldes hängt vom vorherigen Einkommen ab.
   (The amount of the parental allowance depends on the previous income.)
3. Mit dem Elterngeld können wir die ersten Monate finanziell überbrücken.
   (With the parental allowance, we can bridge the first few months financially.)
4. Das Elterngeld ist eine wichtige Unterstützung für junge Familien.
   (The parental allowance is important support for young families.)

🗣️ Using 'Elterngeld' in Context

Das Elterngeld is a fixed term within the German social system and is primarily used in contexts related to family, birth, childcare, finances, and government benefits.

• Typical Usage: In conversations about family planning, after the birth of a child, when applying at government offices (Elterngeldstelle), in news about social policy.
• Context: Official, informative, but also in everyday conversation among (expectant) parents.
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish das Elterngeld from das Kindergeld (child benefit). Kindergeld is a long-term benefit for all children, whereas Elterngeld is an income replacement benefit for parents in the period after birth. It should also be distinguished from das Mutterschaftsgeld (maternity pay from health insurance shortly before and after birth for the mother).

Example phrases:

• Elterngeld beantragen (to apply for parental allowance)
• Anspruch auf Elterngeld haben (to be entitled to parental allowance)
• Elterngeld beziehen (to receive parental allowance)
• Die Höhe des Elterngeldes berechnen (to calculate the amount of parental allowance)

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das Geld (the money). Elterngeld is a type of money, and Geld is neuter. So, it's das (Eltern-)Geld.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the Eltern (parents) getting Geld (money) so they have time for their baby instead of just working. Eltern + Geld = Support for parental leave time = Elterngeld.

🔄 Similar and Contrasting Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Ein Kind fragt das andere: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Taschengeld und Elterngeld?"
Antwortet das andere Kind: "Taschengeld ist dafür, dass ich mir was kaufen kann. Elterngeld ist dafür, dass Mama und Papa Zeit haben, mir was vorzulesen – und Windeln zu kaufen!" 😉

Translation:
One child asks another: "What's the difference between pocket money (Taschengeld) and parental allowance (Elterngeld)?"
The other child answers: "Pocket money is so I can buy something. Parental allowance is so Mom and Dad have time to read to me – and buy diapers!" 😉

📜 A Little Poem

Das Elterngeld, fein und gut,
Gibt Mama, Papa neuen Mut.
Statt Arbeit, Stress und Hetzerei,
Ist Zeit fürs Baby nun dabei.
Ein kleiner Zuschuss, wohlbedacht,
Hat vielen Freude schon gebracht.

Translation:
The Elterngeld, fine and good,
Gives Mom and Dad new fortitude.
Instead of work, stress, rushing by,
There's time for baby, standing nigh.
A small allowance, well-designed,
Has brought much joy to humankind (of the parental kind!).

🧩 What am I?

Ich bin kein Lohn, doch helf' euch sehr,
Wenn nach der Geburt die Arbeit ruht, fällt's schwer.
Ich komme vom Staat für Mama und Papa,
Damit Zeit für den Nachwuchs ist da.
Ich bin nicht Kindergeld, das ist klar.

Na, wer bin ich?

Translation:
I am not a wage, but help you greatly,
When work pauses after birth, life feels weighty.
I come from the state for Mom and Dad,
So time for the offspring can be had.
I'm not child benefit, that is clear.

Well, who am I?

Solution: Das Elterngeld (Parental Allowance)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition

Das Elterngeld is a compound noun (Kompositum). It consists of:

• Eltern (parents - plural of 'der/die Erziehungsberechtigte', the guardian/parent)
• Geld (money - noun, neuter: 'das Geld')

The gender of the compound word (neuter) is determined by the base word Geld.

Trivia

• Das Elterngeld was introduced in Germany on January 1, 2007, replacing the former Erziehungsgeld (child-raising allowance).
• It is modeled after Scandinavian systems to encourage fathers to take parental leave more actively (through the "Partner Months" - Partnermonate).
• Calculating the amount can be quite complex and depends on many factors (income before birth, chosen option, partner months, etc.).