der  Bestand

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʃtant/

📖 What exactly is 'der Bestand'?

The word der Bestand (masculine) has several related meanings in German:

• 📦 Stock / Inventory: This refers to the quantity of goods, items, or materials available at a specific time, often in the context of trade, production, or inventory checks. Example: Der Bestand an Schrauben im Lager ist niedrig. (The stock of screws in the warehouse is low.)
• ⏳ Duration / Continuity / Existence: This concerns the continuation or persistence of a thing, state, relationship, or right. Example: Der Bestand der Ehe war gefährdet. (The existence/continuity of the marriage was endangered.) Or: Der Schutz hat für die gesamte Dauer des Patents Bestand. (The protection remains valid for the entire duration of the patent. - idiom: Bestand haben = to be valid, to endure)
• 🏛️ Holdings / Collection: It can also refer to the entirety of items in a collection or system. Example: Der historische Aktenbestand des Archivs ist beeindruckend. (The historical holdings of the archive are impressive.) / Der Baumbestand im Wald muss gepflegt werden. (The tree population/stock in the forest must be maintained.)

🚨 Important: Although there are different nuances, all meanings share the basic idea of something that is present or exists over a certain period.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Bestand

Der Bestand is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular Declension

Note: The Genitive and Dative endings with "-e" (Bestandes, Bestande) are somewhat more formal or older but still correct. Usually, the shorter form is used.

Plural Declension

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der aktuelle Bestand wird wöchentlich überprüft. (The current stock is checked weekly. - Nom. Singular - Inventory)
2. Wir müssen den Wert des Bestandes ermitteln. (We need to determine the value of the stock. - Gen. Singular - Inventory)
3. Die Firma legt großen Wert auf einen hohen Bestand an Ersatzteilen. (The company places great value on a large stock of spare parts. - Acc. Singular - Inventory)
4. Der Vertrag hat weiterhin Bestand. (The contract remains valid / continues to exist. - Acc. Singular - Duration/Existence, idiom 'Bestand haben')
5. Die Bestände an Rohstoffen sind gesichert. (The stocks of raw materials are secured. - Nom. Plural - Inventory)
6. Wir müssen uns um den Schutz unserer Bestände kümmern. (We need to take care of protecting our holdings/stocks. - Acc. Plural - Inventory/Collection)

💡 How and When to Use 'Bestand'?

The use of der Bestand strongly depends on the context:

• Business & Logistics: Here, it almost always means Lagerbestand (stock level) or Warenbestand (inventory). Common terms include Bestandsaufnahme (stocktaking, inventory count), Bestandsführung (inventory management), or Mindestbestand (minimum stock level).
• Law & Contracts: When something Bestand hat, it means it is valid, legally exists, or continues (e.g., a contract, a judgment, a marriage). The phrase "Bestand haben" is key here.
• Nature & Environment: People talk about Tierbestand (animal population), Pflanzenbestand (plant population), or Baumbestand (tree population/stock) to describe the total number of living beings of a species in an area.
• Archives & Collections: Der Aktenbestand (file holdings), Buchbestand (book collection), or Museumsbestand (museum collection) refers to the entirety of collected objects.

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Vorrat: Often synonymous with Bestand (inventory), but 'Vorrat' can also be more personal (e.g., Lebensmittelvorrat - food supply at home). 'Bestand' often sounds more official or business-related.
• Existenz: Refers more generally to existence or being. 'Bestand' emphasizes continuity or the quantity of something existing.
• Dauer: Refers to the duration or span of time. 'Bestand' can imply duration (something hat Bestand = it lasts), but isn't the time span itself.

🧠 Memory Aids for 'der Bestand'

For the article 'der':

Think: Der manager checks der best Stand (state/level) of his goods – his Bestand. (Masculine -> der)

For the meanings (stock, duration):

A good Bestand (stock) 'besteht aus' (consists of) many items, and 'besteht' (lasts/endures) for a long time. The German verb 'bestehen' helps remember both core meanings (to consist of, to exist/last).

🔄 Related and Opposing Words

⚠️ Watch out for confusion!

• Anstand: Sounds vaguely similar but means decency, propriety or a waiting period (grace period). Nothing to do with 'Bestand'.
• Umstand: Means circumstance or condition, not stock or duration.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Lageristen: "Wie ist unser aktueller Bestand an Geduld?"
Antwortet der Lagerist: "Geht gegen Null, Chef, besonders montags!"

Translation:
The boss asks the warehouse clerk: "What's our current stock of patience?"
The clerk replies: "Approaching zero, boss, especially on Mondays!"

📜 Poem about Bestand

Im Lager, Reihe um Reih',
liegt der Bestand, staubfrei.
Was da ist, gezählt, notiert,
damit nichts verloren geht, wird fixiert.

Auch die Liebe, zart und rein,
soll doch von Bestande sein.
Nicht nur zählen, was man hat,
sondern pflegen, Tag für Tag, die Saat.

Translation:
In the warehouse, row upon row,
lies the stock, dust-free, you know.
What's there is counted, noted down,
so nothing's lost in this town.

Love too, tender and pure,
should surely have endurance, secure.
Not just counting what one's got,
but nurturing the seed, day by day, on the spot.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin mal Menge, mal bin ich Zeit,
bin wichtig für Handel und Gültigkeit.
Man zählt mich im Lager, prüft mein Sein,
im Vertrag halt' ich oft lange ein.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
Sometimes I'm quantity, sometimes I'm time,
I'm important for trade and validity's chime.
They count me in warehouses, check my state,
In contracts, I often hold fast till late.

What am I?
(Answer: der Bestand)

🧩 Further Information

Word Formation:

The word 'Bestand' is composed of:

• Prefix be-: often intensifying or descriptive
• Root word Stand (from 'stehen' - to stand): signifies a state, position, or also an existing quantity.

It's closely related to the verb bestehen, which also has multiple meanings that fit with 'Bestand': to exist ('Das Problem besteht weiterhin' - The problem still exists), to consist of ('Die Prüfung besteht aus zwei Teilen' - The exam consists of two parts), to pass successfully ('die Prüfung bestehen' - to pass the exam).

Trivia:

The term 'Bestandsaufnahme' (inventory taking, stocktaking) is a central process in many companies to reconcile the actual stock of goods with the accounting records.