der  Bankrott

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/baŋˈkʁɔt/

💰 What does "der Bankrott" mean?

Der Bankrott signifies the state of insolvency or bankruptcy of a person or a company. It represents financial ruin, where debts can no longer be covered by existing assets. The term is used in both legal and colloquial contexts.

• Legal context: Often refers to the formal Insolvenzverfahren (insolvency proceedings).
• Colloquial context: Can also simply mean that someone is completely pleite (broke) or abgebrannt (cleaned out).

🚨 Attention: Although often used synonymously, der Konkurs is the older term for the legal procedure, now mostly called das Insolvenzverfahren. Der Bankrott more often describes the state of insolvency itself.

🧐 Grammar and Declension of Bankrott

"Bankrott" is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural "die Bankrotte" is rare and refers to multiple instances of bankruptcy.

📝 Examples

1. Die Firma meldete nach monatelangen Verlusten Bankrott an.
   (The company filed for bankruptcy after months of losses.)
2. Der plötzliche Bankrott des Geschäftspartners überraschte alle.
   (The sudden bankruptcy of the business partner surprised everyone.)
3. Viele kleine Läden standen nach der Krise kurz vor dem Bankrott.
   (Many small shops were on the verge of bankruptcy after the crisis.)
4. Er fürchtete den persönlichen Bankrott nach den Fehlinvestitionen.
   (He feared personal bankruptcy after the bad investments.)

🗣️ How is "Bankrott" used?

The term "Bankrott" is primarily used in the context of economics and finance. It can refer to companies or private individuals.

• Formal Context: "Bankrott anmelden" (to file for bankruptcy), "in den Bankrott treiben" (to drive into bankruptcy), "kurz vor dem Bankrott stehen" (to be on the verge of bankruptcy). Here, it often describes a legally relevant state.
• Colloquial Context: The phrase "Ich bin bankrott" usually just means "I have no money left at all," without implying official proceedings. Here, "pleite" is a common synonym.
• Distinction from "Pleite": "Die Pleite" is more colloquial and less formal than "der Bankrott". You can "pleite sein" (be broke) or "Pleite gehen" (go broke).
• Distinction from "Insolvenz": "Die Insolvenz" is the modern, legally more precise term for the procedure in case of inability to pay debts or over-indebtedness. "Bankrott" often describes the state itself.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article: Think of der businessman (masculine) who unfortunately goes bankrott. The masculine person helps remember the masculine article der.

For the meaning: Imagine a bank whose vault is completely empty and broken or 'rotten' – the money is gone, the bank is Bank-rott! 🏦💥 This relates to financial ruin.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Bankrott

⚠️ Similar but different terms: Überschuldung (over-indebtedness; debts exceed assets, but ability to pay might still exist), Sanierung (restructuring; measures to save from bankruptcy).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie Kredite auf?

Weil sie Angst vor dem Knochen-Bankrott haben! 🦴💸

---

Why do skeletons never take out loans?

Because they're afraid of bone-ruptcy! (Pun on Bankrott/Knochen = bone)

📜 Poem about Bankruptcy

Die Kasse leer, die Konten rot,
Es droht das Ende, bittre Not.
Die Gläubiger steh'n vor der Tür,
Nichts hilft mehr, kein Appell, kein Schwur.
Der Bankrott naht mit leisem Schritt,
Nimmt Hoffnung und die Zukunft mit.
Ein Scherbenhaufen, wo einst Glanz,
Verloren ist der letzte Tanz.

---

The coffers empty, accounts in red,
The end approaches, bitter dread.
The creditors stand at the door,
No help avails, no plea, no swore.
Der Bankrott nears with silent tread,
Takes hope and future, leaves instead
A pile of shards where once was shine,
The final dance is no longer thine.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Cent, doch Schulden viel,
Bin das gefürchtete, bittere Ziel.
Unternehmen und auch Mann und Frau
Fürchten mich genau.
Wenn nichts mehr geht und alles fällt,
Bin ich das Ende in der Wirtschaftswelt.

Was bin ich?

(Auflösung: Der Bankrott)

---

I have no cents, but debts galore,
I am the dreaded, bitter score.
Companies and people too,
Fear me through and through.
When nothing works and all descends,
I am the economic end.

What am I?

(Answer: Der Bankrott / Bankruptcy)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology): The word "Bankrott" comes from the Italian banca rotta, literally meaning "broken bench" or "broken table". In the Middle Ages, money changers in Italy supposedly broke their tables (banchi) when they could no longer pay their debts, signalling that they were out of business. This gesture symbolized insolvency.

Usage as an Adjective: The word "bankrott" can also be used as an adjective: "Er ist bankrott." (He is bankrupt/broke).