das
Überangebot
🛍️ What does *das Überangebot* mean?
The noun das Überangebot describes a situation where the *supply* of a good or service significantly *exceeds* the *demand*. It signifies a surplus or an oversupply in the market. When there is an *Überangebot*, falling prices are often the consequence as suppliers try to sell their excess inventory.
It is almost exclusively used with the article 'das' (*neuter*). The term primarily originates from *economics* and *trade* (*Wirtschaft* and *Handel*).
🧐 Grammar Focus: *das Überangebot*
The word *Überangebot* is a neuter noun (*sächliches Substantiv*).
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Überangebot |
| Genitive | des | Überangebots / Überangebotes |
| Dative | dem | Überangebot / Überangebote |
| Accusative | das | Überangebot |
The plural *die Überangebote* is grammatically correct but used less frequently, as *Überangebot* often describes a general condition. When used, it refers to multiple specific instances of oversupply in different areas.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Überangebote |
| Genitive | der | Überangebote |
| Dative | den | Überangeboten |
| Accusative | die | Überangebote |
Example Sentences:
- Durch die gute Ernte gab es ein Überangebot an Äpfeln.
(Due to the good harvest, there was an oversupply of apples.) - Ein Überangebot an Arbeitskräften kann zu sinkenden Löhnen führen.
(An oversupply of labor can lead to falling wages.) - Der Markt reagierte auf das plötzliche Überangebot mit Preisnachlässen.
(The market reacted to the sudden oversupply with price reductions.) - Die verschiedenen Überangebote in unterschiedlichen Branchen belasteten die Wirtschaft. (Plural example)
(The various oversupplies in different sectors burdened the economy.)
💡 How to use *das Überangebot*
The term das Überangebot is mainly used in an *economic context* to describe market situations.
- Market Analysis: To describe the state when more products are offered than buyers are willing to purchase.
- Pricing: An *Überangebot* often leads to downward pressure on prices.
- Economic Policy: Governments or central banks might take measures to counteract a harmful *Überangebot*.
- Metaphorically: Less commonly, it can be used metaphorically to describe an abundance of options or information (e.g., 'ein Überangebot an Fernsehsendern' – an oversupply of TV channels).
It is the direct opposite of *Mangel* (*shortage*) or *Knappheit* (*scarcity*), also known as *Unterangebot* (*undersupply*).
🧠 Mnemonics for *das Überangebot*
Article Mnemonic: Think of *'das Angebot'* (the offer/supply) which is neuter ('das'). The 'over-offer', *das Überangebot*, stays neuter. Imagine 'DAS big warehouse' (*DAS große Lager*) is OVERflowing -> *DAS Überangebot*.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word is composed of *'Über-'* (meaning *over* or *excess*) and *'Angebot'* (meaning *offer* or *supply*). So it literally means *over-supply*. Picture a table that is *über*flowing (overflowing) with *Angebote* (offers).
↔️ Similar & Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Der Überschuss: (Surplus) - Very similar, emphasizes the excess.
- Der Überfluss: (Abundance, profusion) - Emphasizes the large quantity, not necessarily only in an economic sense.
- Die Schwemme: (Glut) - More colloquial, often with negative connotations (e.g., *Produktschwemme* - product glut).
- Die Sättigung (des Marktes): (Market saturation) - Describes the state where there is hardly any demand left, often resulting from an *Überangebot*.
Antonyms (Opposites):
😂 A Little Joke about *Überangebot*
Warum hat der Bäcker aufgehört, Donuts zu backen?
Er hatte ein Überangebot an Löchern!
(Why did the baker stop making donuts?
He had an oversupply of holes!)
✍️ *Überangebot* in Verse
Der Markt ist voll, die Lager schwer,
Von Ware gibt's zu viel, und mehr.
Das Überangebot, es drückt den Preis,
Was tun damit? Kein Käufer weiß.
Ein Überfluss, wohin man schaut,
Hat mancher Händler schlecht gebaut.
(The market's full, the warehouses heavy,
Of goods there are too many, ready.
The oversupply, it pushes down the price,
What to do with it? No buyer thinks it's nice.
An abundance, wherever one looks,
Some merchant miscalculated his books.)
❓ Riddle Time: What am I?
Ich bin da, wenn mehr da ist, als man braucht.
Im Laden stapelt sich's, und keiner kauft.
Die Preise fallen tief ins Tal,
Ich bin des Händlers bitt're Qual.
Was bin ich?Lösung: das Überangebot
(I am there when there's more than is needed.
In the shop it piles up, unheeded.
Prices fall deep into the vale,
I am the merchant's bitter travail.
What am I?
Answer: das Überangebot / the oversupply)
⚙️ Word Details and Origin
Word Composition:
The word *Überangebot* is a compound noun, formed from:
- Prefix über-: Indicates *too much*, *excess*, crossing a limit or norm (as in *Überdosis* - overdose, *Überstunde* - overtime).
- Noun das Angebot: The *offer* or *supply*; the quantity of goods or services available for sale.
Together, the meaning is literally 'over-offer' or 'over-supply'. The term is closely linked to the theories of supply and demand in economics (*Volkswirtschaftslehre*).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Überangebot?
The correct article for the word Überangebot is das. So, it is always das Überangebot.