der  Erlös

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈløːs/

💰 What does "der Erlös" mean?

Der Erlös (noun, masculine) refers to the proceeds, revenue, or takings generated from selling goods, services, or from an event (e.g., a fundraiser). It's the money that 'comes in' after a sale or activity.

Essentially, it's the amount of money received for something.

• Main meaning: Proceeds, revenue from a sale or action.

🚨 Caution: Der Erlös is not the same as der Gewinn (profit). Profit is the proceeds minus all costs and expenses.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Erlös

The noun "Erlös" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Der Erlös aus dem Kuchenverkauf geht an einen guten Zweck.
   (The proceeds from the cake sale are going to a good cause.)
2. Der gesamte Erlös des Konzerts wurde gespendet.
   (The entire proceeds of the concert were donated.)
3. Die Firma konnte ihre Erlöse im letzten Quartal steigern.
   (The company was able to increase its revenues last quarter.)
4. Mit dem Erlös des alten Autos kaufte sie sich ein Fahrrad.
   (With the proceeds from the old car, she bought herself a bicycle.)

💡 How to use "der Erlös"?

"Der Erlös" is primarily used in an economic or financial context. It describes the result of a transaction or activity in terms of monetary income.

• Business/Commerce: Here, der Erlös often refers to the turnover or revenue from selling products or services. Example: "Der Bruttoerlös betrug 10.000 Euro." (The gross proceeds amounted to 10,000 Euros.)
• Fundraising/Charity: For events benefiting a good cause, people often talk about the Erlös that will be donated. Example: "Der Erlös des Basars kommt dem örtlichen Tierheim zugute." (The proceeds from the bazaar benefit the local animal shelter.)
• Private Sales: Even when selling personal items, you can refer to the money received as the Erlös. Example: "Der Erlös aus dem Verkauf ihres alten Schmucks war überraschend hoch." (The proceeds from selling her old jewelry were surprisingly high.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Umsatz (der): (Turnover/Revenue) Very similar, often used synonymously. Umsatz usually refers to a company's total income over a specific period.
• Gewinn (der): (Profit) Important distinction! Gewinn = Erlös - Kosten. Profit is what remains after deducting all expenses.
• Einnahme (die): (Income/Receipts) Often synonymous, but can also refer to more general incoming funds.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Erlös"

1. Article "der":

   Think of *'der'* as in *'der Mann'* (the man). The man collects the Erlös (proceeds). Or: Der Erlös - sounds a bit like 'the earner's' (money).

2. Meaning "proceeds/revenue":

   When something is sold, it's 'released' or 'redeemed' (similar sound to *erlöst* in German). The money you get is the *Erlös* - the result of 'releasing' the item for cash. The proceeds are what's erlöst.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Risk of Confusion:

• Be careful not to confuse Erlös with Gewinn (profit). Erlös is the gross income; Gewinn is the net surplus.

😄 A little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Buchhalter: "Wie steht es um unsere Erlöse diesen Monat?"
Antwortet der Buchhalter: "Sehr gut, Chef! Sie stehen auf Seite 3 unseres Berichts."

Translation:
The boss asks the accountant: "How are our proceeds (Erlöse) doing this month?"
The accountant replies: "Very well, boss! They are standing ('stehen' can mean 'to stand' or 'to be written') on page 3 of our report."

✍️ Little Poem about Erlös

Ein alter Schrank, nicht mehr gewollt,
wird auf dem Markt zu Geld gerollt.
Ein Käufer zahlt, was er ihm wert,
das ist der Erlös, wie man's erklärt.
Nicht der Gewinn, das ist erst klar,
wenn man die Kosten abzieht, wunderbar!

Translation:
An old cupboard, no longer wanted,
is turned into money at the market.
A buyer pays what it's worth to him,
that is the proceeds (der Erlös), as it's explained.
Not the profit, that only becomes clear,
when you deduct the costs, wonderful!

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin das Geld, das man empfängt,
wenn Ware über Theken längt.
Ich bin nicht gleich Gewinn zu nennen,
doch ohne mich kann nichts verbrennen (im Sinne von: laufen).
Bin ich sehr hoch, ist's oft ein Segen,
für Firmen auf diversen Wegen.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am the money that one receives,
when goods pass over counters.
I cannot be called profit straight away,
but without me, nothing can burn (idiomatically: run/function).
If I am very high, it's often a blessing,
for companies in various ways.

What am I?
(Solution: der Erlös / the proceeds)

🌐 Further Information

Word Formation:

Der Erlös is a nominalized verb or derives from the verb "erlösen". The prefix "er-" often indicates the achievement of a result, and "lösen" can be understood here in the sense of "getting money/redeeming". You effectively "redeem" the value of the goods into money.

Related Terms:

• erlösen (verb): to obtain money for something sold; also: to redeem, to save, to release.
• Verkaufserlös (der): Sales proceeds. Specifically the proceeds from a sale.
• Spendenerlös (der): Donation proceeds. Specifically the proceeds from a fundraising campaign.