das  Know-how

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnoʊ̯ˌhaʊ̯/

💡 What exactly is 'Know-how'?

Das Know-how (noun, neuter) refers to practical knowledge, expertise, or technical skill in a specific field, often acquired through experience. It's a loanword adopted directly from English and describes the ability to implement something successfully.

There's only one article, das, for this word. It refers to the concept of practical knowledge.

🚨 Attention: Although it's an English word, it's capitalized in German (Know-how) because it's used as a noun.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar & Declension of 'das Know-how'

Das Know-how is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is often used without inflection, but it can be declined, especially in the genitive singular.

Declension Table

Note: The plural form is rarely used and often paraphrased (e.g., „verschiedene Arten von Know-how“ - different types of know-how).

Example Sentences

• Unser Unternehmen verfügt über umfangreiches Know-how in der Softwareentwicklung.
  (Our company has extensive know-how in software development.)
• Für dieses Projekt benötigen wir spezielles technisches Know-how.
  (For this project, we need special technical know-how.)
• Der Wert des Unternehmens liegt im Know-how seiner Mitarbeiter.
  (The value of the company lies in the know-how of its employees.) [Genitive with -s]
• Sie hat sich über Jahre hinweg wertvolles Know-how angeeignet.
  (She has acquired valuable know-how over many years.)

🚀 Usage in Context

Das Know-how is frequently used in professional, technical, or business contexts. It emphasizes the practical application of knowledge as opposed to purely theoretical knowledge.

• Professional: „Sein Know-how im Marketing ist unübertroffen.“ (His know-how in marketing is unsurpassed.)
• Technical: „Das technische Know-how für die Reparatur fehlt uns.“ (We lack the technical know-how for the repair.)
• Business: „Wir kaufen das Know-how durch die Übernahme der Firma ein.“ (We are buying the know-how by acquiring the company.)

It is an established loanword and is generally understood. Alternatives like Fachwissen (specialist knowledge) or Expertise might sound more formal depending on the context.

🧠 Mnemonics

For the article das: Think of knowledge as an abstract concept, similar to das Wissen (the knowledge) itself. Das often goes with abstract ideas or loanwords, hence das Know-how. Also, many English gerunds used as nouns in German take 'das', and 'knowing how' is conceptually similar.

For the meaning: The word itself tells you! It's the knowledge of 'how' to do something, the practical skill. You 'know how'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer so viel Know-how?
(Why does the computer have so much know-how?)

Weil er ständig im „Netz“ surft und alles „speichert“!
(Because it's always surfing the 'Net' and 'saving' everything!)

📜 Poem about Know-how

Das Wissen allein, es reicht oft nicht,
(Knowledge alone is often not enough,)
man braucht Gespür und klares Licht.
(you need intuition and clear light.)
Die Hände müssen's auch versteh'n,
(The hands must also understand it,)
dann wird das Werk erfolgreich sein.
(then the work will be successful.)
Erfahrung, Können, schlau und zäh,
(Experience, skill, clever and tough,)
das nennt man schlicht: das Know-how, juchhe!
(that's simply called: know-how, hooray!)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin kein Buch, doch voller Wissen,
(I am not a book, yet full of knowledge,)
nicht nur gelernt, auch ausprobiert, beflissen.
(not just learned, but also tried out, diligently.)
Ich helfe dir, Probleme zu bezwingen,
(I help you overcome problems,)
und gute Arbeit zu vollbringen.
(and accomplish good work.)
Man kauft mich ein, man baut mich auf,
(I am bought, I am built up,)
im Job bin ich im Lebenslauf.
(in a job, I'm on the resume.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
(Lösung/Solution: das Know-how)

🌐 Other Information

Know-how is a direct loanword from English (know + how). It became established in German usage from the mid-20th century onwards, particularly in technical and business fields.