das  Monopol

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/monoˈpoːl/

🏛️ What does 'das Monopol' actually mean?

The word das Monopol (noun, neuter) refers to a situation where a single company, organization, or person has sole control over the production, sale, or provision of a specific good or service in a market. This means there is little to no competition.

Figuratively, it can also mean an exclusive claim or dominance in another area (e.g., a Wissensmonopol - knowledge monopoly).

The word only takes the article das. ⚠️ Confusion with other articles is not possible here.

📊 Grammar in Detail: Das Monopol

Das Monopol is a noun of the neuter gender (Neutrum). It follows the strong declension pattern.

📝 Example Sentences

• Das Unternehmen hatte jahrelang das Monopol auf die Herstellung dieser Software.
  (The company had the monopoly on the production of this software for years.)
• Der Staat kämpft gegen die Bildung von Monopolen, um den Wettbewerb zu fördern.
  (The state fights against the formation of monopolies to promote competition.)
• Manche Kritiker sprechen von einem Informationsmonopol bestimmter Medienkonzerne.
  (Some critics talk about an information monopoly held by certain media corporations.)
• The genitive form is "des Monopols", or less commonly "des Monopoles".

💡 How to use 'das Monopol'?

Das Monopol is primarily used in economic and political contexts to describe market structures.

• Economics: Describing companies or sectors where one provider dominates the market (e.g., natürliches Monopol - natural monopoly in utility networks, staatliches Monopol - state monopoly like formerly with postal services or railways, Angebotsmonopol - supply monopoly).
• Politics/Law: Discussing competition law, antitrust authorities (Kartellämter), and market regulation to prevent or control monopolies (e.g., das Gewaltmonopol des Staates - the state's monopoly on violence).
• Figurative Meaning: Also usable for non-economic dominance (e.g., a Wissensmonopol - knowledge monopoly, an Interpretationsmonopol - monopoly on interpretation).

It should be distinguished from:

• Oligopol (Oligopoly): A few providers dominate the market.
• Polypol (Polypoly): Many suppliers and demanders (ideal of competition).

🧠 Memory Aids for 'das Monopol'

For the article 'das': Think of das System or das Recht (the law/right). A monopoly is often an established (economic) system or based on an exclusive right. Both 'System' and 'Recht' are neuter (sächlich) in German, like das Monopol.

For the meaning: The word comes from Greek: mono (μόνος) means 'alone' and polein (πωλεῖν) means 'to sell'. So: Selling alone! Imagine a market square where only one vendor (mono) is polishing (anpoliert) and selling his goods – he has the monopoly.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for Monopol

🚨 Caution: Do not confuse with Monolog (monologue).

😄 A little Joke about Monopol

Warum spielen Kartellämter ungern Monopoly?

(Why do antitrust authorities dislike playing Monopoly?)

Weil sie ständig versuchen, die Monopole aufzubrechen!

(Because they are constantly trying to break up the monopolies!) 😉

✒️ A little Poem

Auf dem Markt, ganz groß und breit, (In the market, vast and wide,)
steht einer nur, weit und breit. (Stands only one, far and wide.)
Kein anderer darf hier verkaufen, (No other is allowed to sell here,)
die Preise kann er selbst erschnaufen. (The prices he alone can steer.)
Das Monopol, so wird's genannt, (The monopoly, so it's called,)
im ganzen Wirtschaftsland bekannt. (Known throughout the economic land.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin allein auf weiter Flur,
(I am alone in the open field,)
Vom Wettbewerb keine Spur.
(Of competition, no trace revealed.)
Den Preis bestimm' ich nach Belieben,
(I set the price just as I please,)
Wer bin ich, von allen angetrieben (oder gefürchtet)?
(Who am I, driven (or feared) by all with ease?)

Solution: Das Monopol (The Monopoly)

🌐 More Interesting Facts

Etymology: The word "Monopol" comes from Ancient Greek. It is composed of mónos (μόνος), meaning "alone, single," and pōleîn (πωλεῖν), meaning "to sell." Literally, it means "selling alone."

Famous Example: The board game Monopoly is based on the concept of acquiring properties and establishing monopolies to collect rent from opponents.