das  Jahresende

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈjaːɐ̯əsˌɛndə/

🗓️ What does "das Jahresende" mean?

Das Jahresende refers to the final part of a calendar year, typically the weeks or days in late November and December leading up to New Year's Eve (Silvester, December 31st).

It's a time often associated with reflections on the past year, planning for the upcoming year, holidays (like Christmas or Weihnachten), and also with business closures (e.g., end of the fiscal year or Geschäftsjahresende).

There is only this one article (das) and this one main meaning. It is a neuter noun (Neutrum).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: das Jahresende

The word "Jahresende" is a neuter noun (Neutrum). It is declined as follows:

💡 Example Sentences

• Zum Jahresende ziehen viele Firmen Bilanz. (At the end of the year, many companies draw up their balance sheets.)
• Wir planen unseren Urlaub gegen Jahresende. (We are planning our vacation towards the end of the year.)
• Der Stress nimmt oft am Jahresende zu. (Stress often increases at the end of the year.)
• Ich freue mich auf die Ruhe des Jahresendes. (I look forward to the peace of the year's end.) (Genitive)

💬 How is "Jahresende" used?

"Das Jahresende" is frequently used in conversations about timing, business cycles, and holidays.

• Time Reference: It usually refers to the months of November and December. Examples: "Die Prämie wird zum Jahresende ausgezahlt." (The bonus will be paid out at the end of the year.), "Gegen Jahresende wird es kälter." (It gets colder towards the end of the year.)
• Business Context: Many companies conclude their fiscal year at the end of the calendar year. Example: "Der Jahresabschluss muss bis zum Jahresende fertig sein." (The annual financial statement must be completed by the end of the year.)
• Personal Context: Time for reflection, family, and holidays. Example: "Am Jahresende nehmen wir uns Zeit für die Familie." (At the end of the year, we take time for the family.)
• Fixed Phrases: "zum Jahresende" (at the end of the year), "gegen Jahresende" (towards the end of the year), "am Jahresende" (at the end of the year).

It's a very common and easily understood word in German.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Jahresende"

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Ende (the end). "Ende" is neuter, so das Jahresende is also neuter.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of Jahr (year) + s (connecting 's') + Ende (end). So it literally means the "end of the year".

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse "Jahresende" with "Jahrzehntende" (end of a decade) or "Monatsende" (end of a month).

😄 A Little Joke

Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen dem Weihnachtsmann und einem Arbeitnehmer zum Jahresende?

Antwort: Der Weihnachtsmann kommt freiwillig mit Geschenken, der Arbeitnehmer hofft auf eine Prämie und kommt oft nur noch auf dem Zahnfleisch daher! 😉

Translation:

Question: What's the difference between Santa Claus and an employee at the end of the year?

Answer: Santa comes voluntarily with gifts; the employee hopes for a bonus and is often running on fumes! 😉

📜 Poem for the Year's End

Das Jahr neigt sich, die Zeit verrinnt,
Das Jahresende sanft beginnt.
Die Tage kurz, die Nächte lang,
Ein letzter Blick, ein leiser Sang.

Man schaut zurück, was war, was ist,
Was man gewann, was man vermisst.
Zum Jahresende wird's oft klar,
Was wirklich zählt im nächsten Jahr.

Translation:

The year draws to a close, time slips away,
The year's end gently starts its sway.
The days are short, the nights are long,
A final glance, a quiet song.

One looks back at what was, what is,
What was gained, what one does miss.
At the year's end, it often becomes clear,
What truly matters in the coming year.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich komme, wenn das Jahr fast alt,
Bring' Schnee vielleicht und Winterkalt.
Man schließt die Bücher, feiert Feste,
Und blickt zurück auf das Verpasste.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: das Jahresende

Translation:

I come when the year is almost old,
Bringing snow perhaps, and winter's cold.
People close their books, celebrate feasts,
And look back on missed opportunities, at least.

What am I?

Solution: the end of the year (das Jahresende)

🤓 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word "Jahresende" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• Jahr: The main noun (year).
• -es-: A linking element (Fugenlaut), often derived from the genitive case, facilitating pronunciation.
• Ende: The determinant noun, specifying which part of the year is meant (end).

The gender (Genus) of the compound word is determined by the last part ("Ende"), which is neuter (das Ende). Therefore, it is "das Jahresende".

Cultural Significance: The end of the year holds special significance in many cultures, often associated with rituals, celebrations (like New Year's Eve or Silvester), and traditions marking the transition to the new year.