das / der  Gehalt

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈhalt/

💰 What does "Gehalt" mean? Two Articles, Two Meanings!

The word Gehalt is a prime example of how the article can completely change the meaning of a German noun. Here are the two variations:

🚨 Attention: Confusing the articles leads to misunderstandings. When talking about money, it's always das Gehalt!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Gehalt' and 'der Gehalt'

The two versions of "Gehalt" follow different declension patterns because they have different genders.

das Gehalt (neuter) - Salary

Belongs to the mixed declension in singular when preceded by an article word (like 'das', 'ein'), otherwise strong. The plural is weak.

der Gehalt (masculine) - Content/Level

Follows the strong declension. The plural is rarely used and often identical to the singular or paraphrased.

Example Sentences

1. Das Gehalt: Mein Gehalt wird immer am Monatsende überwiesen.
   (My salary is always transferred at the end of the month.)
2. Das Gehalt: Die Firma bietet ein attraktives Gehalt und gute Sozialleistungen.
   (The company offers an attractive salary and good social benefits.)
3. Der Gehalt: Der Gehalt an Vitamin C in dieser Orange ist sehr hoch.
   (The vitamin C content in this orange is very high.)
4. Der Gehalt: Wir müssen den Gehalt an Schadstoffen im Wasser prüfen.
   (We need to check the level of pollutants in the water.)
5. Der Gehalt: Der emotionale Gehalt des Films hat mich sehr berührt.
   (The emotional content of the movie touched me deeply.)

When to Use Which 'Gehalt'? 🤔

The correct usage strictly depends on the meaning:

• Das Gehalt: Always in the context of work and payment. You talk about the monthly income, salary negotiations (Gehaltsverhandlungen), salary increases (Gehaltserhöhungen), etc. It's a specific term for the remuneration of employees, whereas Lohn is more often used for workers (hourly basis), although the lines are blurring. Einkommen (income) is a broader term that can include other sources of revenue.
• Der Gehalt: Used when talking about the proportion or quantity of a substance or an abstract value. Typical contexts include nutritional science (Fettgehalt - fat content, Zuckergehalt - sugar content), chemistry (Alkoholgehalt - alcohol content, Wirkstoffgehalt - active substance content), but also literary or film analysis (Informationsgehalt - information content, Wahrheitsgehalt - truth content, Symbolgehalt - symbolic content).
  • ⚠️ In technical or scientific contexts, die Gehalte is sometimes used as a plural form for different concentrations.

Avoid saying der Gehalt when talking about money – this is a common mistake (hypercorrection or uncertainty).

Remembering Article and Meaning! 🧠

1. For the article/meaning:

   "Das cash (neuter association like 'das Geld') is das Gehalt you get. Der level/content (masculine association, perhaps think 'der Mann' has substance) is der Gehalt something has."

   Or shorter:

   "Das Geld (neuter) → das Gehalt (salary). Der Stoff (masculine, substance/material) → der Gehalt (content)."

2. For the meaning(s):

   "Think of what someone or something 'holds' (from the verb 'halten'): Either you 'hold' money at the end of the month (das Gehalt), or something 'holds' a certain substance within it (der Gehalt)."

Synonyms, Antonyms & Co. 🔄

Similar but different words:

• Gehalte (die, plural): Can refer to multiple salaries (rare) or different types of content (e.g., Mineralgehalte - mineral contents).
• Gehaltvoll: Adjective, meaning rich in content or substance (e.g., a substantial meal or a meaningful discussion).
• Gehaltlos: Adjective, meaning lacking content, superficial, empty.

A Little Joke 😄

DE: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Sind Sie mit Ihrem Gehalt zufrieden?" Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Ja, durchaus. Aber es wäre schön, wenn es etwas höher wäre, damit ich auch davon leben könnte!"

EN: The boss asks the new employee: "Are you satisfied with your salary (Gehalt)?" The employee replies: "Yes, absolutely. But it would be nice if it were a bit higher so I could actually live off it!"

Poem: Two Kinds of Gehalt ✍️

DE:
Das Gehalt, das freut uns sehr,
kommt aufs Konto, bitte mehr!
Es zahlt die Miete, Brot und Wein,
so soll es jeden Monat sein.

Der Gehalt, ganz anders zwar,
mischt sich in Stoffe, wunderbar.
Im Saft der Zucker, süß und rein,
im Wort die Wahrheit, klar und fein.

Zwei Worte gleich, doch nicht dasselbe,
merk dir den Sinn, ob 'das' ob 'der' – gelbe
Karte gibt's bei falschem Spiel,
drum lerne fleißig, das ist das Ziel!

EN:
Das Gehalt, it brings us cheer,
To the bank account, more please, my dear!
It pays the rent, the bread, the wine,
May it arrive each month, so fine.

Der Gehalt, quite different though,
Mixes in substances, good to know.
In juice the sugar, sweet and pure,
In words the truth, clear and secure.

Two words alike, but not the same,
Note the meaning, 'das' or 'der's' claim – a yellow
Card is shown for playing wrong,
So learn with diligence, be strong!

Who or What Am I? 🕵️‍♀️

DE:
Mit 'das' bin ich das Geld für deine Müh',
Monat für Monat, von spät bis früh.

Mit 'der' bin ich der Stoff, der in dir steckt,
sei's Fett im Käse oder Wahrheit, unentdeckt.

Wie heiße ich? ... Gehalt

EN:
With 'das', I am the money for your toil,
Month after month, on home soil.

With 'der', I am the stuff inside,
Be it fat in cheese or truth you hide.

What am I called?
... Gehalt

Other Interesting Facts 💡

• Etymology: The word "Gehalt" derives from the verb "halten" (to hold). Originally, it meant "that which holds something together" or "the inner value". From this, the two meanings developed: the inner value/content (der Gehalt) and the value/remuneration one 'holds' for their work (das Gehalt).
• Compounds: There are many compound words that highlight the difference:
  • With 'das': Grundgehalt (base salary), Anfangsgehalt (starting salary), Bruttogehalt (gross salary), Nettogehalt (net salary), Gehaltsabrechnung (payslip), Gehaltserhöhung (salary increase), Gehaltsforderung (salary demand).
  • With 'der': Fettgehalt (fat content), Alkoholgehalt (alcohol content), Salzgehalt (salt content), Wahrheitsgehalt (truth content), Informationsgehalt (information content), Schadstoffgehalt (pollutant level), Goldgehalt (gold content).
• Abstract use of 'der Gehalt': Especially in philosophy or literary criticism, "der Gehalt" is used to describe the deeper meaning, significance, or substance of a work or statement (e.g., "der philosophische Gehalt eines Textes" - the philosophical content of a text).