der
Einjahresvertrag
📜 What does "der Einjahresvertrag" mean?
Der Einjahresvertrag is a Vertrag (contract) whose duration is limited to exactly one year (ein Jahr). After this year expires, the contract automatically ends, unless a renewal clause has been agreed upon or notice is required (depending on the contract terms).
It's a specific type of a befristeter Vertrag (fixed-term contract).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
🧐 Grammar & Declension of Einjahresvertrag
The word "Einjahresvertrag" is masculine. The article is der.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Einjahresvertrag |
| Accusative | den | Einjahresvertrag |
| Dative | dem | Einjahresvertrag(e) |
| Genitive | des | Einjahresvertrags / Einjahresvertrages |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Einjahresverträge |
| Accusative | die | Einjahresverträge |
| Dative | den | Einjahresverträgen |
| Genitive | der | Einjahresverträge |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Arbeitgeber bot ihm nur einen Einjahresvertrag an.
(The employer only offered him a one-year contract.) - Sie hat ihren Mobilfunktarif mit einem Einjahresvertrag abgeschlossen.
(She signed up for her mobile phone plan with a one-year contract.) - Die Konditionen dieses Einjahresvertrages sind sehr günstig.
(The conditions of this one-year contract are very favorable.) - Nach Ablauf des Einjahresvertrags muss sie sich eine neue Wohnung suchen.
(After the one-year contract expires, she has to look for a new apartment.)
💡 Everyday Usage
The term "Einjahresvertrag" is frequently used in various contexts:
- Arbeitsverhältnisse (Employment relationships): Often as a fixed-term employment contract for one year, e.g., for projects or as an extended probationary period.
- Mietverträge (Rental agreements): Sometimes for apartments or commercial spaces, especially in tight markets or for temporary use.
- Dienstleistungsverträge (Service contracts): Typical for subscriptions like mobile phone plans, internet, gym memberships, or software licenses.
It implies a fixed commitment for 12 months, which provides planning security but also less flexibility than shorter or open-ended contracts (unbefristete Verträge).
⚠️ Caution: Often, such contracts renew automatically if not cancelled in time (rechtzeitig gekündigt). Therefore, the notice periods (Kündigungsfristen) must be carefully observed!
🧠 Mnemonics
Remembering the Article: Think of "Vertrag" (contract) as a strong, masculine concept. Like a strongman, it takes "der". Even if it's just for one year, it's still der Vertrag.
Remembering the Meaning: The word itself tells the story: Ein (one) + Jahres (year's) + Vertrag (contract). It's literally a contract for one year. Easy!
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Same Meaning):
- Jahresvertrag: (Yearly contract) - Often used synonymously, although theoretically it could mean multiple years, it usually implies a one-year contract.
- Befristeter Vertrag (auf ein Jahr): (Fixed-term contract for one year) - A more precise description.
- 12-Monats-Vertrag: (12-month contract) - An alternative emphasizing the duration.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Unbefristeter Vertrag: (Permanent / Open-ended contract) - A contract without a fixed end date.
- Monatsvertrag: (Monthly contract) - A contract with only a one-month term.
- Mehrjahresvertrag: (Multi-year contract) - A contract lasting more than one year (e.g., Zweijahresvertrag - two-year contract).
- Kurzzeitvertrag: (Short-term contract) - General term for contracts with short durations.
Potential Confusion?
Sometimes "Jahresvertrag" is used more generally for contracts with annual billing or renewal, even if they are permanent. However, "Einjahresvertrag" clearly emphasizes the limitation to exactly one year.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum sind Einjahresverträge wie Geburtstage?
(Why are one-year contracts like birthdays?)
Man freut sich erst drauf, aber nach 365 Tagen ist man froh, wenn es vorbei ist und man sich neu entscheiden kann! 😉
(You look forward to them at first, but after 365 days, you're glad when it's over and you can make a new choice!) 😉
✍️ Poem about the Contract
Ein Jahr, so steht's geschrieben,
ist die Zeit, die uns geblieben.
Der Einjahresvertrag, ganz klar,
endet bald, das ist doch wahr.
Ob Arbeit, Miete, Telefon,
die Frist, sie mahnet schon.
Ein Jahr geht schnell vorbei,
dann ist man wieder frei.
Translation:
One year, as it is written,
is the time that remained for us.
The one-year contract, quite clear,
ends soon, that is indeed true.
Whether work, rent, telephone,
the deadline, it already warns.
One year passes quickly,
then one is free again.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich binde dich für zwölf Monde fest,
bin weder kurz noch ewig, ein Test.
Ob Job, ob Handy, ob die Gymnastik,
ich ende pünktlich, ohne Hektik.
Was bin ich?
Translation & Clues:
I bind you for twelve moons tight,
Am neither short nor eternal, a test of might.
Be it job, or phone, or the gym's domain,
I end on time, without rush or strain.
What am I?
Solution: Der Einjahresvertrag (The one-year contract)
🧩 Word Composition
The word "Einjahresvertrag" is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:
- Ein: The numeral "one".
- Jahr: The time unit "year".
- -es-: A linking element (Fugen-s) connecting the parts.
- Vertrag: The agreement between parties, "contract".
Together, they form the meaning: A contract with a duration of one year.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Einjahresvertrag?
The noun "Einjahresvertrag" is masculine. The correct article is der: der Einjahresvertrag (the one-year contract), des Einjahresvertrages (of the one-year contract).