das
Urlaubsgeld
💰 What exactly is 'das Urlaubsgeld'?
Das Urlaubsgeld is an additional financial benefit that an employer pays to their employees on top of their regular salary or wages. It's often intended to cover or subsidize vacation costs.
It's a type of Sonderzahlung (special payment), similar to Weihnachtsgeld (Christmas bonus). In Germany, there is no general legal entitlement to Urlaubsgeld, but it can arise from a Tarifvertrag (collective bargaining agreement), a Betriebsvereinbarung (works agreement), or the Arbeitsvertrag (employment contract).
⚠️ Important: Urlaubsgeld is not the same as Urlaubsentgelt. Urlaubsentgelt is the continued payment of wages during vacation leave, while Urlaubsgeld is an additional payment for the vacation.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Urlaubsgeld
The word "Urlaubsgeld" is neuter (*das*). It's usually only used in the singular because it refers to a sum of money (*Geld* is often uncountable or treated as a single unit). The plural (*die Urlaubsgelder*) is very rare and would refer to holiday payments from different sources or over several years.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Urlaubsgeld |
| Genitive | des | Urlaubsgeldes / Urlaubsgelds |
| Dative | dem | Urlaubsgeld / Urlaubsgelde |
| Accusative | das | Urlaubsgeld |
📝 Example Sentences
- Viele Arbeitnehmer freuen sich im Sommer über das Urlaubsgeld.
(Many employees look forward to the holiday pay in the summer.) - Die Höhe des Urlaubsgeldes ist im Tarifvertrag festgelegt.
(The amount of the holiday pay is stipulated in the collective agreement.) - Mit dem Urlaubsgeld können wir eine schöne Reise machen.
(With the holiday pay, we can go on a nice trip.) - Ich habe mein Urlaubsgeld bereits erhalten.
(I have already received my holiday pay.)
🚀 When and how is Urlaubsgeld used?
"Urlaubsgeld" is primarily used in the context of work and finance (Arbeit und Finanzen).
- Timing: It's often paid out once a year, typically in May, June, or July, before the main summer vacation period.
- Context: People talk about it in relation to salary negotiations, collective agreements (*Tarifverträge*), working conditions, or planning their personal vacation budget.
- Distinction: As mentioned, it's important to distinguish it from Urlaubsentgelt (continued pay during vacation). Urlaubsgeld is an extra bonus.
- Feeling: Receiving Urlaubsgeld is usually viewed very positively and associated with financial relief and anticipation for the vacation.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Urlaubsgeld'
For the article 'das': Remember *'das Geld'* (*the money*). *Geld* is neuter in German. Since *Urlaubsgeld* is a type of money, it takes the same article: das Geld -> das Urlaubsgeld.
For the meaning: Imagine your piggy bank 🐷 getting extra food (*Geld*) just so it can go on vacation 🏖️ with you. That's Urlaubsgeld – extra money for the trip!
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Urlaubszuschuss: Very similar, emphasizing the aspect of support for the vacation.
- Feriengeld: More colloquial, often used synonymously.
- Sonderzahlung / Gratifikation: Broader terms that can also include Christmas bonuses, etc.
- Zusätzliches Urlaubsentgelt: A rather formal designation.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Gehaltskürzung / Lohnkürzung: (*Salary cut / wage cut*) - The opposite of an additional payment.
- Unbezahlter Urlaub: (*Unpaid leave*) - Taking time off without pay (without *Urlaubsentgelt*), the opposite of paid vacation and far from receiving additional *Urlaubsgeld*.
🚨 Confusion Alert: Don't confuse it with Urlaubsentgelt (continued pay during vacation) or Reisekosten (reimbursement for work-related travel expenses).
😂 A Little Joke
Der Chef fragt seinen Mitarbeiter: "Na, was machen Sie mit Ihrem Urlaubsgeld?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Wenn's reicht, zahl ich meine Rechnungen. Wenn nicht, mach ich Urlaub!" 😄
Translation:
The boss asks his employee: "So, what are you going to do with your holiday pay?"
The employee replies: "If it's enough, I'll pay my bills. If not, I'll go on vacation!" 😄
✍️ Poem about Urlaubsgeld
Die Arbeit ruft, das Jahr ist lang,
doch bald erklingt ein froher Sang.
Der Sommer naht, die Sonne lacht,
das Konto wird nun aufgemacht.
Kein Zauber ist's, kein Fabeltier,
das Urlaubsgeld, es ist jetzt hier!
Ein Extra-Schein, so wunderbar,
für Eis, für Strand, fürs ganze Jahr?
Nein, für die Pause, wohlverdient,
damit die Reisekasse dient.
Drum dank dem Chef, wenn's denn so ist,
dass er die Zahlung nicht vergisst!
Translation:
Work calls, the year is long,
but soon a happy song is sung.
Summer nears, the sun does laugh,
the bank account is opened path.
No magic trick, no fabled beast,
the holiday pay, it's now released!
An extra note, so wonderful,
for ice cream, beach, the whole year full?
No, for the break, well-deserved,
so that the travel fund is served.
So thank the boss, if it's the case,
that he remembers this payment's place!
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Lohn, doch komm' vom Chef,
erleichtere den Urlaubs-Treff.
Ich komme extra, meist im Sommer,
vertreibe manchen Kummer.
Mit mir wird die Reisekasse voll,
der Urlaub damit doppelt toll.
Ich bin neutral, sag's ohne Geld,
wie heiß ich in der Arbeitswelt?
Lösung / Solution: Das Urlaubsgeld
Translation:
I'm not a wage, but come from the boss,
make the holiday meet-up less of a loss.
I come extra, usually in summer heat,
driving away much sorrow's feat.
With me, the travel fund gets full,
making the vacation doubly cool.
I am neuter, say it without *Geld* involved,
what am I called in the working world?
💡 More Interesting Facts
Word Composition
The word "Urlaubsgeld" is a compound noun (*Kompositum*), made up of:
The connecting 's' (*Fugen-s*) links the two parts: "Urlaubsgeld".
Legal Aspect (Brief Info)
As mentioned earlier, there's no general legal entitlement in Germany. Entitlement usually arises from:
- Tarifverträge (Collective bargaining agreements)
- Betriebsvereinbarungen (Works agreements)
- Individuelle Arbeitsverträge (Individual employment contracts)
- Betriebliche Übung (Customary practice - if the employer pays it regularly without reservation)
Urlaubsgeld is generally subject to income tax and social security contributions.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Urlaubsgeld?
The German word 'Urlaubsgeld' uses the article 'das'. It refers to an additional financial payment from an employer, often intended for vacation purposes (holiday pay/bonus), and typically paid out in the summer.