der  Ertrag

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛʁˈtʁaːk/

💰 What Exactly is 'der Ertrag'?

Der Ertrag (masculine) generally refers to the positive result of an economic activity or a natural process. It has two main meanings:

1. Economic profit/benefit: This is the surplus remaining after deducting all costs from revenues. Synonyms often include Gewinn (profit) or Profit. Example: "Der Ertrag des Unternehmens stieg im letzten Quartal." (The company's profit increased last quarter.)
2. Agricultural/natural yield: This refers to the quantity of products obtained from a harvest or through a natural process. Example: "Der Ertrag der Apfelernte war dieses Jahr besonders hoch." (The yield of the apple harvest was particularly high this year.)

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse it with Umsatz (revenue/turnover)! Umsatz is the total value of goods or services sold, whereas Ertrag (in the sense of profit) is the part remaining after deducting costs.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of 'der Ertrag' in Detail

The noun "Ertrag" is masculine. Here is its declension:

Note: In the genitive singular, both Ertrags and Ertrages can be used, although Ertrags is more common. In the dative singular, Ertrag is more frequent than Ertrage.

Example Sentences:

• Der finanzielle Ertrag war zufriedenstellend. (The financial return was satisfactory.)
• Die Höhe des Ertrages / Ertrags überraschte uns. (The amount of the yield/profit surprised us.)
• Wir streben nach einem höheren Ertrag. (We strive for a higher return/yield.)
• Das Unternehmen konnte einen hohen Ertrag erwirtschaften. (The company was able to generate a high profit.)
• Die Erträge aus den Investitionen werden reinvestiert. (The returns/proceeds from the investments are reinvested.)
• Die Verteilung der Erträge muss noch geklärt werden. (The distribution of the profits/yields still needs to be clarified.)
• Wir sind mit den jährlichen Erträgen zufrieden. (We are satisfied with the annual returns/yields.)
• Die Aktionäre erwarten steigende Erträge. (The shareholders expect increasing profits/returns.)

💡 How to Use 'der Ertrag'?

Der Ertrag is primarily used in two contexts:

• Wirtschaft & Finanzen (Economy & Finance): Here, one speaks of finanzieller Ertrag (financial return), Kapitalertrag (capital gain/return), Jahresertrag (annual profit/return), or simply Ertrag as a synonym for profit. It describes the success of an investment or a fiscal year. "Die Zinsen sind ein Teil des Ertrags." (Interest is part of the return.)
• Landwirtschaft & Natur (Agriculture & Nature): In this field, Ertrag refers to the harvest quantity. One speaks of Ernteertrag (harvest yield), Hektarertrag (yield per hectare), or the Ertrag of a fruit tree. "Trockenheit kann den Ertrag schmälern." (Drought can reduce the yield.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Gewinn: Very similar, often synonymous with Ertrag in the economic sense. Sometimes Ertrag is used more broadly (e.g., including interest income), while Gewinn often refers specifically to the net profit of a company.
• Umsatz: The total value of revenue before deducting costs. Ertrag (profit) is Umsatz minus costs.
• Rendite: The ratio of the return to the capital employed, usually expressed as a percentage.
• Ausbeute: Similar to Ertrag in the agricultural sense, but can also have negative connotations (e.g., exploitation of resources).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Ertrag'

For the article 'der': Think of 'der Gewinn' (the profit) or 'der Baum' (the tree that provides a yield). Both are masculine, just like der Ertrag. You could also think, you must *bear* (like 'ertragen') the responsibility like a *man* (masculine) to get the *Ertrag*.

For the meaning: The word comes from 'ertragen' (to bear, to endure). You often have to 'ertragen' efforts or hardship to get a positive Ertrag (a result, a profit, a harvest) in the end. What you 'carry' (tragen) away (as the fruit of your labor) is the Ertrag.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for 'Ertrag'

Be careful with similar-sounding words:

• Betrag: Refers to a sum of money, not necessarily a profit or yield.
• Vertrag: A legal agreement, unrelated to Ertrag.

😄 A Little Joke about Ertrag

Ein Bauer fragt seinen Nachbarn: "Na, wie war dein Kartoffelertrag dieses Jahr?"
Sagt der Nachbar: "Super! So klein, dass sie genau zwischen die Pommes-Rillen passen!"

(Translation: A farmer asks his neighbor: "Well, how was your potato yield this year?" The neighbor replies: "Great! So small they fit exactly between the crinkles of crinkle-cut fries!")

📜 Poem about 'der Ertrag'

Die Saat ging auf, die Sonne schien,
viel Arbeit steckt im Felde drin.
Nun hofft der Bauer, Jahr für Jahr,
auf einen guten Ertrag, wunderbar.

Auch im Geschäft, mit Plan und Fleiß,
zahlt sich die Mühe aus, ganz leis'.
Was unterm Strich dann übrig bleibt,
ist der Ertrag, der Freude treibt.

(Translation:)
The seed sprouted, the sun did shine,
Much work is in this field of mine.
Now hopes the farmer, year by year,
For a good yield, wonderfully clear.

In business too, with plan and zest,
Effort pays off, put to the test.
What's left below the bottom line,
Is the profit/return, a joyful sign.

❓ Riddle: What am I?

Ich bin das Ziel von Arbeit und von Fleiß,
im Acker, im Büro, mal laut, mal leis'.
Man zieht mich von den Kosten ab,
bin ich positiv, freut man sich knapp.
Bei Äpfeln bin ich die volle Zahl,
bei Aktien oft das Kapital.

Was bin ich?

(Translation:)
I am the goal of work and diligence, you see,
In field, in office, sometimes loud, sometimes quietly.
You subtract the costs from me, it's true,
If I'm positive, happiness ensues.
With apples, I'm the total number found,
With stocks, I'm often the capital around.

What am I?

(Solution: der Ertrag - the yield/profit/return)

🧐 Other Interesting Facts

Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word Ertrag derives from the verb ertragen (to bear, endure). Originally, it likely meant that which one carries away or brings home (as the fruit of one's labor). The prefix 'er-' often indicates the achievement of a result (compare erarbeiten - to work for/achieve, erreichen - to reach/achieve, erzielen - to achieve/obtain).

Compound Words (Zusammengesetzte Wörter): There are many compounds with Ertrag, e.g.:

• Ertragssteuer (income tax/profit tax)
• Ertragslage (earnings situation)
• Ertragswert (earnings value, capitalized value)
• Mehrertrag (additional yield/profit)
• Minderertrag (reduced yield/profit)
• Kapitalertrag (capital gain/return)
• Hektarertrag (yield per hectare)