das  Rekordtief

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁɛˈkɔʁtˌtiːf/

📉 What exactly is a Rekordtief?

Das Rekordtief (noun, neuter) refers to the lowest value or level ever measured or reached in a specific area. It represents an absolute low point that surpasses (or rather, undercuts) previous lows.

It is often used in the context of:

• Wirtschaft und Finanzen (Economy and Finance): Interest rates (Zinsen), stock prices (Aktienkurse), unemployment figures (Arbeitslosenzahlen), etc.
• Wetter und Klima (Weather and Climate): Temperatures (Temperaturen), water levels (Wasserstände), precipitation amounts (Niederschlagsmengen), etc.
• Statistiken (Statistics): Popularity ratings (Beliebtheitswerte), survey results (Umfrageergebnisse), etc.

As it is a compound word formed from „Rekord“ (record) and „tief“ (low), its meaning is quite clear. It only takes the article das.

🧐 Grammar: Declining 'das Rekordtief'

„Rekordtief“ is a noun of neuter gender (das). It is declined as follows:

💬 Example Sentences

1. Die Zinsen sind auf einem historischen Rekordtief.
   (The interest rates are at a historic record low.)
2. Im Januar erreichten die Temperaturen ein neues Rekordtief.
   (In January, the temperatures reached a new record low.)
3. Der Aktienkurs fiel auf ein besorgniserregendes Rekordtief.
   (The stock price fell to a worrying record low.)
4. Wir erlebten mehrere Rekordtiefs bei den Umfragewerten dieses Jahr.
   (We experienced several record lows in the poll ratings this year.)

💡 How 'das Rekordtief' is Used

The term das Rekordtief is mostly used in news, reports, and analyses to highlight a significant low point. It often carries a negative connotation, especially in economic contexts (e.g., low interest rates can be bad for savers, low stock prices for investors).

• Typical Contexts: Financial reports (Finanzberichte), weather forecasts (Wettervorhersagen), statistical evaluations (statistische Auswertungen), news articles (Nachrichtenmeldungen).
• Comparison:
  • Tiefststand (lowest level): Similar, but not necessarily a record. It could be the lowest level within a specific period, not necessarily the lowest ever measured.
  • Tiefpunkt (low point): Can also describe an emotional or qualitative low point, not just a measurable value.

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with a relative low point. A Rekordtief is always absolute – the lowest value of all time (within the considered data set).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of das measurement or das result – abstract concepts are often neuter in German. 'Tief' (low) represents a state, a neutral value point -> das Rekordtief.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine setting a new record for diving deep (tief). That's the deepest point anyone has ever reached – the Rekordtief.

🔄 Opposites and Similar Words for Rekordtief

Potential for Confusion: Sometimes 'Tiefstand' (low level) is used synonymously, but it often just refers to a low value, not necessarily the absolute lowest.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: „Wie finden Sie das Arbeitsklima hier?“
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: „Naja, momentan auf einem Rekordtief, aber ich bin optimistisch!“

(The boss asks the new employee: "How do you find the work atmosphere here?"
The employee replies: "Well, currently at a record low, but I'm optimistic!")

✍️ Poem about the Word

Die Zinsen fallen, welch ein Graus,
Für Sparer ist's ein leerer Schmaus.
Der Kurs, er sinkt, die Stimmung mies,
Ein Rekordtief, kalt wie Eis.
Doch nach dem Tief, so sagt man schlau,
Kommt oft ein Hoch, ganz ohne Stau.

(Interest rates fall, what a dread,
For savers, it's an empty spread.
The price drops low, the mood is grim,
A record low, cold to the brim.
But after the low, as wise folks mention,
Often comes a high, without tension.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Wert, so tief wie nie zuvor,
Steh' in den Charts, klopf an das kälteste Tor.
Ob Zins, ob Kurs, ob Grad Celsius kalt,
Ich bin der Tiefste, jung oder alt.

Was bin ich?
(I am a value, as low as never before,
Stand in the charts, knock on the coldest door.
Whether interest, price, or degrees Celsius cold,
I am the lowest, young or old.

What am I?) (Solution: das Rekordtief)

🧩 Further Insights

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word „Rekordtief“ is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:

• Rekord (noun): Meaning an unequalled achievement or an extreme value.
• tief (adjective/adverb): Describing a low position or a low value.

Together, they form a noun describing the lowest value ever recorded. The grammatical gender (neuter, das) is often determined by the second part of the compound, although 'tief' is adjectival here, the nominalization often becomes neuter.