das  Verwalten

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈvaltən/

📜 What Exactly Does "das Verwalten" Mean?

Das Verwalten is the nominalization of the German verb verwalten (to manage, to administer). It describes the process, activity, or act of managing or administering itself. It doesn't refer to an institution (like die Verwaltung - the administration), but rather to the action of organizing, directing, supervising, or maintaining something.

It always uses the article "das" because it's a nominalized infinitive. In German, these are always neuter (sächlich).

Examples of things one can "verwalten":

• Assets (das Verwalten von Vermögen - the managing of assets)
• Data (das Verwalten von Datenbanken - the managing of databases)
• Tasks (das Verwalten von Projektaufgaben - the managing of project tasks)
• Real estate (das Verwalten von Mietshäusern - the managing of apartment buildings)

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with die Verwaltung, which refers to the administrative institution or department (e.g., die Stadtverwaltung - the city administration).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Verwalten

As mentioned, "das Verwalten" is a nominalized infinitive and therefore always neuter (sächlich). It is almost exclusively used in the singular because it describes an activity. A plural form is grammatically unusual and not used in practice.

Declension (Singular)

Example Sentences

1. Das Verwalten großer Datenmengen erfordert spezielle Software.
   (Managing large amounts of data requires special software.)
2. Er ist für das Verwalten des Familienvermögens zuständig.
   (He is responsible for managing the family assets.)
3. Beim Verwalten von Projekten ist Organisation entscheidend.
   (When managing projects, organization is crucial.)
4. Wir müssen uns um das Verwalten der eingehenden Anfragen kümmern.
   (We need to take care of managing the incoming requests.)

💡 How "das Verwalten" is Used

The term "das Verwalten" is typically used in contexts where the process or activity of management or administration is the main focus. This can occur in various fields:

• Professional/Business: Das Verwalten von Kundenkonten (customer accounts), Projekten (projects), Budgets (budgets), Personalressourcen (human resources).
• Technical: Das Verwalten von Netzwerken (networks), Servern (servers), Datenbanken (databases).
• Personal: Das Verwalten von Finanzen (finances), Dokumenten (documents), Terminen (appointments).
• Public/Official: Although die Verwaltung (the administration/institution) is often used here, das Verwalten can refer to specific processes, e.g., das Verwalten öffentlicher Gelder (the managing of public funds).

Distinction from "die Verwaltung":

• Das Verwalten: The activity, the process. Example: Das Verwalten der Akten ist zeitaufwendig. (Managing the files is time-consuming.)
• Die Verwaltung: The institution, the department, the result. Example: Die Verwaltung hat neue Richtlinien erlassen. (The administration has issued new guidelines.)

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Verwalten"

Rule for the article: Nominalized verbs describing an activity (like das Laufen - running, das Schreiben - writing, das Essen - eating) are almost always neuter in German. Think: The 'doing' is neuter, so is das Verwalten (the managing).

Rule for the meaning: Imagine a large, old filing cabinet (like a vault). You need to organize and keep track of the files inside – you have to ver-wal-ten them (manage them). The 'walten' part also sounds a bit like the English 'wield' or 'govern', implying controlled action.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Watch out – Similar Words:

• Die Verwaltung: The institution or department (e.g., Stadtverwaltung - city administration).
• Der Verwalter / Die Verwalterin: The administrator / manager (male/female).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Bleistift beim Verwalten immer schlechte Laune?
Weil er ständig angespitzt wird, alles genau aufzuschreiben!

(Why is the pencil always in a bad mood when managing things?
Because it's constantly being sharpened to write everything down precisely!)

📜 A Poem About Managing

Ob Akten, Geld, ob Haus und Hof,
Das Verwalten ist kein bloßer Zopf.
Es braucht Struktur, es braucht Verstand,
Damit nichts entgleitet aus der Hand.

Mit Plan und Ordnung, Schritt für Schritt,
Hält man die Dinge gut im Tritt.
Das Verwalten, klug und mit Bedacht,
Hat schon so manchen Wert bewacht.

(Whether files, money, house and yard,
Managing is not just playing a card.
It needs structure, it needs a mind,
So nothing important is left behind.)

(With plan and order, step by step,
Keeping things well in check.
Managing, wisely and with care,
Has guarded many values rare.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Ort, doch schaff' ich Raum für Ordnung klar.
Ich bin kein Chef, doch lenke ich, was wichtig war.
Ich bin ein Tun, ein steter Fluss,
Des Organisierens Überdruss?
Nein, Notwendigkeit, ganz sächlich steht's geschrieben.
Was bin ich wohl, von einem Verb geblieben?

(I am not a place, yet I create space for clear order.
I am not a boss, yet I direct what was important.
I am an action, a steady flow,
An excess of organizing? No!
A necessity, written neutrally it stayed.
What am I, from a verb made?)

Solution: Das Verwalten (the act of managing)

🌐 Further Insights

Word Composition:

"Das Verwalten" is a Nominalisierung (nominalization or substantivization) of the verb verwalten. The prefix ver- often indicates a change, completion, or targeted action. The root verb walten means something like 'to rule', 'to govern', or 'to take care of'. Combined, it results in the meaning of purposeful care and organization.

Interestingly, the vocabulary field around "verwalten" is very strong in German, which might reflect the importance of organization and administration in German culture and economy.