das  Interesse

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪntəˈʁɛsə/

🧐 What does "das Interesse" mean?

Das Interesse (noun, neuter) primarily means two things in German:

• Interest or curiosity: A feeling of mental engagement or participation in something or someone. You want to learn more about it or engage with it. Example: das Interesse an Musik (interest in music).
• Benefit or advantage (often plural: Interessen): A right, claim, or advantage that someone (a person, group, company) has or pursues. This is often used in economic, political, or legal contexts. Example: wirtschaftliche Interessen (economic interests).

It's a very common word in everyday life and in more formal contexts.

📊 Grammar of "das Interesse" in Detail

"Das Interesse" is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It follows the strong declension pattern, with a specific feature in the genitive singular.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural is "die Interessen" and is mostly used in the sense of benefits, concerns, or stakes.

Example Sentences 📝

1. Sein Interesse an Geschichte ist sehr groß. (His interest in history is very great. - Meaning: curiosity/attention)
2. Das Unternehmen vertritt seine wirtschaftlichen Interessen im Ausland. (The company represents its economic interests abroad. - Meaning: benefit/advantage)
3. Ich habe kein Interesse daran, ins Kino zu gehen. (I have no interest in going to the cinema. - Meaning: curiosity/desire)
4. Der Schutz der Umwelt liegt im Interesse aller. (Protecting the environment is in everyone's interest. - Meaning: benefit/advantage)
5. Er zeigte reges Interesse an unserem Projekt. (He showed keen interest in our project. - Meaning: attention)

💡 How to use "das Interesse"?

"Das Interesse" is a versatile word. Here are some typical uses:

• Interesse haben an (+ Dative case): Shows what the curiosity or involvement relates to. Example: Ich habe Interesse an moderner Kunst. (I have an interest in modern art.)
• Interesse zeigen für (+ Accusative case): Expresses directing one's attention towards something. Example: Sie zeigte großes Interesse für das neue Projekt. (She showed great interest in the new project.)
• Im Interesse von jemandem/etwas sein/liegen: Emphasizes that something is beneficial or important for someone/something. Example: Die schnelle Lösung liegt im Interesse beider Parteien. (The quick solution is in the interest of both parties.)
• Seine Interessen vertreten/wahren: Often used in political or economic contexts to assert one's own advantages or concerns. Example: Die Gewerkschaft vertritt die Interessen der Arbeitnehmer. (The union represents the interests of the employees.)

Context: The meaning often depends on the context. When talking about hobbies or learning, it usually means attention or curiosity. In politics, business, or law, it often refers to benefits or claims (in plural: Interessen).

Distinction: Don't confuse it with "die Interessantheit" (the quality of being interesting).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Interesse"

For the article "das": Think of the English word "task". Often, you only do a task if you have an Interesse (a stake or benefit) in it. Or, a task requires your Interesse (attention). "Task" doesn't have a strong gender association, helping remember the neutral "das". Also, many abstract nouns ending in -e derived from verbs are neuter (like das Erbe, das Gerede), and das Interesse fits this pattern loosely via its Latin origin interesse.

For the meaning: "Interesse" sounds like "enter essence". To understand the essence of something, you need Interesse (curiosity, attention). Or, if something involves your financial essence, you have a strong Interesse (stake, benefit) in it.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Note: Words like "die Liebhaberei" (hobbyism) or "das Hobby" (hobby) can sometimes be used similarly but refer more strongly to a specific activity rather than the feeling of interest itself.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum zeigst du so wenig Interesse am Unterricht?" Antwortet Fritzchen: "Aus Desinteresse, Herr Lehrer!"

English: The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why do you show so little interest in the lesson?" Fritzchen answers: "Out of disinterest, teacher!"

✍️ Poem about Interesse

German:
Das Interesse, ein zartes Band,
knüpft Wissen fest von Hand zu Hand.
Mal Neugier, die die Welt entdeckt,
mal Vorteil, der dahinter steckt.

Ob Buch, ob Spiel, ob fernes Land,
es führt uns oft an unbekannten Strand.
Ein Funke, der die Seele rührt,
und uns zu neuen Ufern führt.

English Translation:
Interest, a tender thread,
Ties knowledge firmly, hand to hand spread.
Sometimes curiosity, exploring the sphere,
Sometimes advantage, hiding near.

Be it book, or game, or distant shore,
It often leads us to explore.
A spark that touches the soul's desire,
And guides us to new banks, higher and higher.

🧩 A Riddle

German:
Ich kann dich fesseln, ohne Seil,
mach Langeweile kurz und klein.
Manchmal bin ich nur ein Blick,
manchmal ein wirtschaftliches Stück.
Hab ich dich erst einmal gepackt,
ist oft ein neues Ziel abgesteckt.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: das Interesse)

English Translation:
I can capture you without a rope,
Make boredom short, give little scope.
Sometimes I am just a glance,
Sometimes an economic stance.
Once I have truly grabbed you tight,
A new goal's often set in sight.

What am I?
(Answer: interest / das Interesse)

💡 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Interesse" comes from the Latin verb interesse, meaning "to be between," "to be among," but also "to be of importance." This reflects the two main meanings (participation/curiosity and importance/benefit).

Compound Words (Examples):

• Interessenkonflikt: Conflict of interest - A situation where different interests (often personal and professional) of a person or group contradict each other.
• Interessengemeinschaft (IG): Community of interest - An association of people or groups pursuing common goals/interests.
• Interessengebiet: Area of interest - A field someone is particularly interested in.