das  Leasing

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈliːzɪŋ/

📖 Meaning of 'das Leasing'

Das Leasing (noun, neuter) refers to a specific form of Nutzungsüberlassung (transfer of use) of assets (like cars, machinery, or real estate) for a specified period in return for an agreed payment (the Leasingrate or leasing installment). It's basically a type of rental agreement, often with special options at the end of the contract (e.g., an option to buy).

It's an Anglicism adopted from English ('to lease') and is firmly established in German business life.

⚠️ In German, it is almost exclusively used with the article 'das'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension

'Das Leasing' is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is often treated as an uncountable noun or used only in the singular. The plural 'die Leasings' is rare, and paraphrases (e.g., 'Leasingverträge' - leasing contracts) are usually preferred.

Declension (Singular)

Example Sentences

1. Das Leasing eines neuen Firmenwagens ist oft günstiger als der Kauf. (Leasing a new company car is often cheaper than buying one.)
2. Die Konditionen des Leasings wurden im Vertrag genau festgelegt. (The terms of the leasing agreement were precisely defined in the contract.)
3. Mit dem Leasing erhalten wir modernste Technik ohne hohe Anschaffungskosten. (With leasing, we get state-of-the-art technology without high initial costs.)
4. Viele Unternehmen nutzen das Leasing für ihre IT-Ausstattung. (Many companies use leasing for their IT equipment.)

💡 How 'Leasing' is Used

Leasing is a standard term in finance and business. Common contexts include:

• Auto-Leasing: Very common for private individuals and companies (car leasing).
• Immobilien-Leasing: For commercial properties (real estate leasing).
• Anlagen- / Maschinen-Leasing: For capital goods in industry (plant / machinery leasing).
• IT-Leasing: For computers, servers, and software.

A distinction is often made between Operating-Leasing (similar to renting, shorter term) and Finanzierungsleasing (finance lease - longer term, often with a purchase option, economic ownership partially transfers to the lessee).

Compared to Miete (rent) or Pacht (leasehold, often including the right to profit from the property), Leasing often has more specific contractual and tax frameworks.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Leasing'

Article Mnemonic: Think of neuter things in German like das Auto (the car), das Gerät (the device) – things you can lease. It's an object, a neutral 'thing', so it's das Leasing.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Leasing' sounds a bit like 'releasing' the item for use. The owner is 'releasing' the item to you for a period, without you owning it – that's Leasing.

↔️ Opposites and Similarities

🚨 Caution: Although similar, the legal and tax details of Miete, Pacht, and Leasing differ.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Kunde den Autoverkäufer: "Ist das Leasing für dieses Cabrio wirklich so günstig?"
Antwortet der Verkäufer: "Absolut! Sie zahlen nur an Sonnentagen!" 😉

(Customer asks the car salesman: "Is the leasing for this convertible really that cheap?"
Salesman replies: "Absolutely! You only pay on sunny days!" 😉)

✍️ Poem about 'Leasing'

Ein Auto neu, die Kasse leer?
Ein Kauf, der wiegt oft allzu schwer.
Doch schau, die Lösung ist doch klar,
Das Leasing macht den Traum schnell wahr.

Du zahlst die Rate, Monat für Monat,
Fährst stolz davon, wie angewohnt.
Am Ende dann die Qual der Wahl,
Zurück das Ding? Ein neuer Deal?

(A new car, the wallet empty?
A purchase often weighs too heavily.
But look, the solution is clear,
Leasing makes the dream quickly appear.

You pay the installment, month by month,
Drive proudly away, as is the wont.
At the end, then, the agony of choice,
Return the thing? A new deal's voice?)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich geb' dir Dinge für 'ne Zeit,
Ob Auto, Haus, was dich erfreut.
Dein Eigentum wird es zwar nicht,
Dafür zahlst du pünktlich – Pflicht!
Was bin ich?

(I give you things for a time,
Whether car, house, whatever makes you climb.
Your property it won't become,
For that, you pay on time – must be done!
What am I?)

Solution: Das Leasing

🌐 Other Information about Leasing

Word Origin: The word 'Leasing' comes directly from the English verb 'to lease'.

Word Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): Leasing is often part of compound nouns describing the leased object or aspects of the contract:

• Leasingrate (leasing rate/installment)
• Leasingvertrag (leasing contract/agreement)
• Leasinggesellschaft (leasing company)
• Leasingnehmer (lessee)
• Leasinggeber (lessor)
• Restwertleasing (residual value leasing)
• Kilometerleasing (mileage leasing)