das  Schmerzensgeld

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃmɛʁtsn̩sɡɛlt/

💰 What exactly is das Schmerzensgeld?

Das Schmerzensgeld is a German legal term for a form of compensation (Schadensersatz) that doesn't cover material (financial) damages, but rather immaterial damages (immaterieller Schaden). It serves as compensation and satisfaction for physical or psychological pain, suffering, or impairments inflicted upon someone through the unlawful and culpable actions of another.

Typical cases where Schmerzensgeld is claimed include:

• Personal injuries (Körperverletzungen), e.g., after accidents, medical malpractice, assaults.
• Violation of the general right of personality (Verletzung des allgemeinen Persönlichkeitsrechts), e.g., through bullying (Mobbing), severe insults, invasion of privacy.
• False imprisonment (Freiheitsberaubung).

It has a dual function:

1. Compensation function (Ausgleichsfunktion): To provide the injured party with financial compensation for the impairments suffered.
2. Satisfaction function (Genugtuungsfunktion): To make it clear to the injuring party that they are accountable for the suffering caused.

⚠️ Important: The amount of Schmerzensgeld is determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on various factors (e.g., severity of the injury, duration of impairment, culpability of the injuring party).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Schmerzensgeld

The word Schmerzensgeld is a neuter noun. The article is das. It's a compound noun formed from Schmerzen (plural of Schmerz, meaning 'pain') and Geld (meaning 'money').

It is primarily used in the singular. A plural form (die Schmerzensgelder) is grammatically possible but very uncommon, as it usually refers to a specific sum for a particular case.

Singular Declension

📝 Example Sentences

• Nach dem Unfall erhielt sie ein hohes Schmerzensgeld.
  (After the accident, she received high damages for pain and suffering.)
• Der Anwalt forderte für seinen Mandanten Schmerzensgeld wegen der erlittenen Verletzungen.
  (The lawyer demanded damages for pain and suffering for his client due to the injuries sustained.)
• Die Höhe des Schmerzensgeldes wird oft vor Gericht verhandelt.
  (The amount of the damages for pain and suffering is often negotiated in court.)
• Mit dem Schmerzensgeld konnte er einen Teil der Therapiekosten decken.
  (With the damages for pain and suffering, he could cover part of the therapy costs.)

⚖️ Usage in Daily Life and Law

The term das Schmerzensgeld is used almost exclusively in a legal context in German. It's discussed in relation to:

• Accidents (traffic, work, domestic accidents involving third-party fault)
• Medical malpractice (ärztliche Behandlungsfehler)
• Criminal offenses like assault (Körperverletzung) or severe insult (schwere Beleidigung)
• Workplace bullying (Mobbing am Arbeitsplatz)
• Violations of personality rights by the media

Outside of legal discussions or reporting, the word is rare. It is a specific technical term in German civil law (found in § 253 of the German Civil Code, Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch - BGB).

Compared to the general term Schadensersatz (damages, which often refers to material losses), Schmerzensgeld specifically refers to non-pecuniary or immaterial damage, i.e., the suffering itself.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Mnemonic for the Article (das):

Think of "das Geld" (the money). Since Schmerzensgeld is a type of money awarded for pain (Schmerzen), and money is neuter in German (das Geld), remember: das Schmerzensgeld. It's 'the' money for pain.

Mnemonic for the Meaning:

Break it down: Schmerzen means 'pains' or 'suffering'. Geld means 'money'. So, Schmerzensgeld is literally 'pain's money' or 'money for pain and suffering'.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Risk of Confusion:

• Schadensersatz: (Damages) A general term that can include both material damages and non-pecuniary damages like Schmerzensgeld.
• Bußgeld: (Fine) A monetary penalty, usually for minor offenses (Ordnungswidrigkeiten), paid to the state treasury.

😄 A Little Joke

Richter: "Warum haben Sie dem Kläger eine Vase auf den Kopf geschlagen?"
Angeklagter: "Aus Übermut, Herr Richter!"
Richter: "Das wird teuer. Ich sehe hier eine Beule und viel Übermut - das macht 500 Euro Schmerzensgeld und 500 Euro für den Mut!"

Translation:

Judge: "Why did you hit the plaintiff over the head with a vase?"
Defendant: "Out of high spirits (Übermut), Your Honor!"
Judge: "That's going to be expensive. I see a bump here and a lot of high spirits - that'll be 500 Euros damages for pain and suffering (Schmerzensgeld) and 500 Euros for the spirit/courage (Mut)!"

(Note: The joke plays on the word "Übermut", which means recklessness/exuberance/high spirits, breaking it down into "über" (over/excessive) and "Mut" (courage/spirit).)

📜 A Poem about Schmerzensgeld

Ein Knochenbruch, ein blauer Fleck,
die Seele litt, das war der Zweck
von Unrecht, das dir angetan,
so fängt die Klage manchmal an.

Nicht Gold ersetzt die Pein, das Leid,
doch lindert's in der schweren Zeit.
Das Schmerzensgeld, vom Recht bedacht,
hat Ausgleich und Trost gebracht.

Translation:

A broken bone, a bruise so blue,
The soul did suffer, this was the due
Of injustice that was done to you,
So the lawsuit sometimes starts anew.

Gold can't replace the pain, the plight,
But eases burden in the hard time's light.
Das Schmerzensgeld, by law considered right,
Has brought compensation and respite.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin kein Lohn für deine Arbeit,
und doch bekommst du mich bei Leid.
Ich messe, was man kaum kann messen,
hab Schmerz und Geld in meinem Wesen.
Bin Trost und Ausgleich, meist in Not,
vom Richter kommt oft mein Gebot.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I am not a wage for your labour,
And yet you receive me when in suffer.
I measure what can hardly be measured,
Have 'pain' and 'money' in my nature treasured.
I'm solace and balance, mostly in need,
From the judge often comes my decree.

What am I?

Solution: Das Schmerzensgeld (Damages for pain and suffering)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word Schmerzensgeld is a determinative compound noun (Determinativkompositum). It consists of:

• Schmerzen: The plural of der Schmerz (pain), used here in the genitive plural form (der Schmerzen -> shortened to Schmerzens-) as the determinant. It specifies what kind of money it is.
• Geld: The base word, das Geld (money).

So, it literally means "money for (the) pains" or "pain's money".

Trivia:

• The amount of Schmerzensgeld in Germany is often guided by comparative tables (so-called Schmerzensgeldtabellen, e.g., the "Beck'sche Schmerzensgeldtabelle" or the "ADAC-Schmerzensgeldtabelle"), which compile court rulings on similar cases.
• Very high awards for pain and suffering are less common in Germany compared to jurisdictions like the United States.