das
Kindergeld
💰 What Exactly is 'das Kindergeld'?
Das Kindergeld is a state benefit in Germany and some other countries (e.g., in Austria it's called Familienbeihilfe) paid to parents or legal guardians as financial support for raising their children. It is intended to help cover the basic needs of the child.
It's a regular monthly payment per child, the amount of which is determined by law and can depend on various factors (e.g., the number of children).
🚨 Important: There is only one article for Kindergeld: das. It is a neuter noun.
🧐 Grammar: The Case of Kindergeld
"Kindergeld" is a neuter noun (sächlich) and is usually used in the singular, as it describes a financial benefit as a concept. A plural form ("Kindergelder") is very uncommon and would, at most, refer to different types or amounts of child benefit, which rarely occurs in practice.
Declension Singular (das Kindergeld)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Kindergeld |
| Genitive | des | Kindergeldes / Kindergelds |
| Dative | dem | Kindergeld / Kindergelde |
| Accusative | das | Kindergeld |
Example Sentences
- Das Kindergeld wird monatlich ausgezahlt.
(The child benefit is paid out monthly.) - Der Antrag auf das Kindergeld muss bei der Familienkasse gestellt werden.
(The application for the child benefit must be submitted to the family benefits office.) - Die Höhe des Kindergeldes wurde angepasst.
(The amount of the child benefit has been adjusted.) - Mit dem Kindergeld können wichtige Anschaffungen für das Kind getätigt werden.
(With the child benefit, important purchases for the child can be made.)
💡 Everyday Usage
"Das Kindergeld" is a fixed term within the German social system. It is mainly used in contexts related to family, finances, and government benefits.
- Application: "Wir müssen noch das Kindergeld beantragen." (We still need to apply for the child benefit.)
- Payment: "Wann kommt das Kindergeld diesen Monat?" (When is the child benefit coming this month?)
- Eligibility: "Wer hat Anspruch auf Kindergeld?" (Who is entitled to child benefit?)
- Amount: "Die Höhe des Kindergeldes ist gestiegen." (The amount of the child benefit has increased.)
It is rarely used metaphorically and almost exclusively refers to the actual financial benefit.
⚠️ Potential Confusion: Do not confuse it with the Kinderfreibetrag (a tax allowance) or Elterngeld (parental allowance, an income replacement benefit after birth).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of "das Kind" (the child). The child receives "das Geld" (the money). Therefore: das Kindergeld.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine Kinder (children) happily receiving Geld (money) from the state. That's the Kindergeld.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Terms)
- Familienbeihilfe (in Austria)
- Kinderzulage (in Switzerland, sometimes in Germany for specific additional benefits)
- Staatliche Unterstützung für Kinder (State support for children)
- Familienleistung (Family benefit)
Antonyms (Opposites)
A direct antonym is hard to find. However, one could think of terms representing a financial burden or levy:
- Steuern (Taxes)
- Abgaben (Levies/Duties)
- Schulgeld (School fees, often private, not state-funded)
Similar but Different Terms
- Elterngeld: Parental allowance - income replacement for parents after childbirth.
- Kinderfreibetrag: Child tax allowance, an alternative to Kindergeld for tax purposes.
- Sozialhilfe: Social welfare - general state support for people in need.
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der kleine Fritz seine Mutter: "Mama, warum heißt es Kindergeld? Bekommen das die Kinder?" Sagt die Mutter: "Nein, Fritzchen, das bekommen die Eltern, damit sie sich ab und zu etwas Schönes kaufen können, um den Stress mit den Kindern besser zu ertragen!" 😉
EN: Little Fritz asks his mother: "Mom, why is it called Kindergeld (child money)? Do the children get it?" The mother says: "No, Fritzchen, the parents get it so they can buy themselves something nice now and then to better cope with the stress of having children!" 😉
📜 A Poem about Kindergeld
DE:
Monat für Monat, pünktlich und schlicht,
kommt's auf das Konto, bringt ein Licht.
Das Kindergeld, vom Staat gesandt,
Hilft Familien hier im Land.
Für Windeln, Brei und manches mehr,
macht es das Leben nicht ganz so schwer.
EN:
Month by month, punctual and plain,
It hits the account, eases the strain.
Das Kindergeld, sent by the state,
Helps families seal a kinder fate.
For diapers, food, and much more need,
It makes life less heavy indeed.
❓ Little Riddle
DE:
Ich bin ein Geld, doch kauf' mich nicht.
Ich helfe Eltern, ganz schlicht.
Für jedes Kind werd' ich gegeben,
um leichter zu gestalten das Leben.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I am money, but you don't buy me.
I help parents, quite simply.
For every child, I am provided,
To make life more easily guided.
What am I?
Answer
Das Kindergeld (The child benefit)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition
The word "Kindergeld" is a compound noun, composed of:
So it literally means "children money" or "money for children".
Trivia
Kindergeld has a long history in Germany and has been adjusted and reformed multiple times over the decades. It is one of the best-known social benefits.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kindergeld?
The answer is clear: The correct article for Kindergeld is das. It is always das Kindergeld.
