das  Karriereende

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kaʁiˈʁeːˌʔɛndə/

🏁 What does 'das Karriereende' mean?

Das Karriereende (noun, neuter) refers to the point in time or the process when a person concludes their professional career, especially in a specific job or position. It marks the end of active employment or a particular professional phase.

It is often associated with retirement (der Ruhestand), but can also occur for other reasons, such as a voluntary career change (ein freiwilliger Berufswechsel), health reasons (gesundheitliche Gründe), or the end of an athletic career (das Ende einer sportlichen Laufbahn).

It's a compound word formed from Karriere (career) and Ende (end). The article is always das, derived from the base word das Ende.

🧐 Grammar Corner

The word "Karriereende" is a neuter noun. It is primarily used in the singular.

Example Sentences

1. Nach vierzig erfolgreichen Jahren im Unternehmen nahte für Herrn Müller das Karriereende.
   (After forty successful years in the company, the end of Mr. Müller's career was approaching.)
2. Viele Sportler fürchten das abrupte Karriereende durch eine Verletzung.
   (Many athletes fear the abrupt end of their career due to an injury.)
3. Sie plante ihr Karriereende sorgfältig, um mehr Zeit für ihre Familie zu haben.
   (She planned the end of her career carefully to have more time for her family.)
4. Der Trainer sprach offen über sein bevorstehendes Karriereende nach der Saison.
   (The coach spoke openly about his upcoming career end after the season.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage: When to use Karriereende?

"Das Karriereende" is used to describe the conclusion of a professional career. This can cover various contexts:

• Ruhestand (Retirement): The most common context, when someone leaves working life due to age.
• Sport (Sports): The end of an athlete's active career.
• Berufswechsel (Career Change): Sometimes used when someone ends a specific type of career to start something completely different, although more specific terms are often used here.
• Unfreiwilliges Ende (Involuntary End): E.g., due to illness, accident, or the employer's insolvency.

Distinction: While Ruhestand specifically means the transition into pension-based retirement, Karriereende is a slightly more general term that can describe the end of professional activity for various reasons. Someone can announce their Karriereende without being retired yet (e.g., an athlete at 35).

🧠 Handy Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: The word ends in "-ende". Many German nouns ending in "-ende" that signify a conclusion are neuter: das Ende (the end), das Wochenende (the weekend), das Karriereende. Think: Das Ende (The end) is near!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a long racetrack (die Karriere) that stops at a finish line (das Ende). Karriere + Ende = Karriereende. The finish line marks das Ende (the end) of the race.

↔️ Word Connections: Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Die Kündigung: (Resignation/Termination) - Ends a specific employment contract, not necessarily the entire career.
• Der Berufswechsel: (Career change) - Ends one job/activity but starts a new one, so not necessarily the end of the overall career.

😂 A Little Chuckle

Fragt der Chef seinen ältesten Mitarbeiter: "Herr Schmidt, Sie denken doch sicher schon ans Karriereende, oder?"
Antwortet Herr Schmidt: "Chef, ich denke nicht ans Ende. Ich übe schon mal für den Ruhestand – ich komme jetzt einfach nur noch später und gehe früher!"

Translation:

The boss asks his oldest employee: "Mr. Schmidt, surely you're already thinking about the end of your career, aren't you?"
Mr. Schmidt replies: "Boss, I'm not thinking about the end. I'm just practicing for retirement – I simply come in later and leave earlier now!"

✍️ Poetic Farewell

Die Jahre zogen schnell vorbei,
mit Fleiß und auch manch Plagerei.
Nun naht die Zeit, es ist soweit,
für Ruhe und Gemütlichkeit.

Das Karriereende, leis' und sacht,
hat neuen Lebenssinn gebracht.
Ein letzter Blick, ein sanfter Schluss,
ein neuer Weg, ein Lebensfluss.

Translation:

The years flew quickly by,
with diligence and some drudgery nigh.
Now the time approaches, it's here,
for peace and cozy cheer.

The end of career, quiet and soft,
has brought new meaning aloft.
A final glance, a gentle close,
a new path, as life flows.

❓ Brain Teaser

Ich bin der Schlussstrich unter vielen Jahren,
mal heiß ersehnt, mal Grund zum Klagen.
Für Sportler kommt's oft früh daher,
für manchen Angestellten fällt's erst später schwer.

Ich bin nicht der Anfang, sondern das Finale,
im Arbeitsleben das letzte Signale.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I am the final stroke under many years,
sometimes eagerly awaited, sometimes cause for tears.
For athletes, I often come quite soon,
for some employees, I'm a heavier boon much later under the moon.

I am not the beginning, but the finale you see,
in working life, the last decree.

What am I? (Answer: Das Karriereende - The end of the career)

💡 More Than Just a Word

Word Composition:

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

• Die Karriere: (from French carrière 'track, course') - the professional career path.
• Das Ende: the end, conclusion, finish.

Cultural Note: The Karriereende is an important rite of passage in many cultures, often marked by farewell parties (Abschiedsfeiern) and a societal shift in the person's role.