das  Ergebnis

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈɡɛbnɪs/

What Exactly is 'das Ergebnis'? 🤔

Das Ergebnis (noun, neuter) describes the outcome or result of an action, a process, an investigation, or a calculation. It's what comes out at the end.

• Result/Outcome: What is determined after a process or action (e.g., das Spielergebnis - the game result, das Wahlergebnis - the election result).
• Consequence: The effect or impact of something (e.g., das Ergebnis schlechter Planung - the result of poor planning).
• Finding/Result: The outcome of an investigation or measurement (e.g., das Ergebnis einer Blutuntersuchung - the result of a blood test, das Forschungsergebnis - the research finding).
• Solution: The result of a mathematical problem or task.

It's a very common word used in many contexts, from sports and science to everyday life.

The Grammar of 'das Ergebnis': Easy Peasy? 📐

Das Ergebnis is a noun of the neuter gender (sächlich). Its declension follows the strong declension pattern for neuter nouns ending in -nis, which adds -ses in the genitive singular and -se in the plural.

Example Sentences

1. Das Ergebnis der Prüfung war sehr gut.
   (The result of the exam was very good.)
2. Der Lehrer war mit dem Ergebnis zufrieden.
   (The teacher was satisfied with the result.)
3. Die Veröffentlichung der Ergebnisse verzögert sich.
   (The publication of the results is delayed.)
4. Wir warten gespannt auf die Ergebnisse der Studie.
   (We are eagerly awaiting the results of the study.)
5. Trotz des schlechten Ergebnisses gab er nicht auf.
   (Despite the bad result, he didn't give up.)

When to Use 'das Ergebnis'? 🎯

Das Ergebnis is a versatile word. Here are typical contexts:

• Sports: The final score of a game or competition (das Spielergebnis). ⚽
  Example: Das Ergebnis des Fußballspiels war 3:1. (The result of the football match was 3:1.)
• Science & Research: Results from experiments, studies, or analyses (das Forschungsergebnis). 🔬
  Example: Die Ergebnisse der Studie wurden veröffentlicht. (The results of the study were published.)
• Mathematics & Logic: The solution to a calculation or problem (das Rechenergebnis). ➕➖
  Example: Was ist das Ergebnis von 5 mal 8? (What is the result of 5 times 8?)
• Elections & Votes: The outcome of an election (das Wahlergebnis). 🗳️
  Example: Das vorläufige Ergebnis der Wahl wird erwartet. (The preliminary result of the election is expected.)
• Everyday Life & Consequences: The consequence or effect of an action or situation. 🤔
  Example: Das Ergebnis seiner Faulheit war eine schlechte Note. (The result of his laziness was a bad grade.)

Comparison with similar words:

• Resultat: Very similar and often interchangeable with Ergebnis. Sometimes Resultat feels slightly more formal.
• Folge: Emphasizes the causal consequence, following chronologically or logically. Can also have negative connotations (e.g., die Folgen eines Unfalls - the consequences of an accident).
• Konsequenz: Similar to Folge, often meaning a logical or inevitable effect.
• Befund: More specific for medical or scientific examination results/findings.
• Fazit: More of a conclusion or summary drawn from results.

Handy Mnemonics for 'das Ergebnis' ✨

Article Mnemonic (das): Many nouns ending in -nis derived from verbs are neuter ('das'). Think of other -nis words like das Geheimnis (the secret), das Erlebnis (the experience). So, das is the Ergebnis!

Meaning Mnemonic (Result): Imagine a process that 'gives' (geben) forth (er-) something at the end. That which 'is given forth' is the Ergebnis (result).

Words For and Against 'Ergebnis' 🔄

A Little Chuckle to Finish 😂

Lehrer: "Was ist das Ergebnis, wenn man 7 Äpfel hat und 3 davon verschenkt?"
Fritzchen: "Ein glücklicher Freund und 4 Äpfel, Herr Lehrer!"

Teacher: "What is the result if you have 7 apples and give 3 away?"
Little Fritz: "A happy friend and 4 apples, teacher!"

A Poem About 'das Ergebnis' 📜

Nach Planen, Tun und Streben,
nach Rechnen, Messen, Geben,
steht es am Ende da,
klar und wunderbar?

Mal gut, mal schlecht, mal so lala,
manchmal ein Hurra!
Das Ergebnis zeigt sodann,
was man schuf, was man gewann.

After planning, doing, striving,
After calculating, measuring, giving,
Does it stand there at the end,
Clear and wonderful, my friend?

Sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes so-so,
Sometimes a 'Hurrah!' you know!
The result then shows right then,
What was created, what was gained by men.

Who or What Am I? 🧐

Ich komme am Ende, nach Mühe und Schweiß.
Bin mal Freude, mal Ärger, wie jeder weiß.
In Mathe und Sport, da bin ich bekannt,
im Labor werd' ich oft mit Spannung genannt.

Was bin ich?
... Das Ergebnis

I come at the end, after effort and sweat.
Sometimes joy, sometimes trouble, as everyone's met.
In math and in sports, I am well-known,
In the lab, my name's often excitedly shown.

What am I?
... The result (Das Ergebnis)

Interesting Tidbits About 'das Ergebnis' 🤓

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word Ergebnis is composed of:

• The prefix er-: This prefix often indicates achieving a goal or completing an action (compare erreichen - to reach, erarbeiten - to work out, erleben - to experience).
• The verb stem of geben (to give): In the context of ergeben, it means something like 'to yield', 'to result in'.
• The suffix -nis: This ending forms nouns from verbs or adjectives and is often neuter (das Ereignis - event, das Geheimnis - secret, das Ergebnis - result).

So, fundamentally, 'Ergebnis' describes something that 'results from' or 'is given forth' by an action or process.

Compound Words (Komposita):

There are many compound words formed with 'Ergebnis', e.g.:

• Endergebnis: (Final result) The ultimate, concluding result.
• Zwischenergebnis: (Intermediate result) A result on the way to the final one.
• Forschungsergebnis: (Research result/finding).
• Testergebnis: (Test result).
• Wahlergebnis: (Election result).
• Suchergebnis: (Search result) e.g., on the internet.