der
Gegenwert
💰 What exactly is a Gegenwert?
Der Gegenwert refers to the value of an item, service, or amount of money that is given or received as an equivalent for something else. It's what you get or give in exchange for something, creating a balance.
Imagine a scale: on one side is what you give, and on the other side is the Gegenwert (equivalent value) you receive for it. Ideally, both sides are balanced.
Der Gegenwert is almost exclusively used in the singular form, as it often refers to a specific value in an exchange.
📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Gegenwert
The noun „Gegenwert“ is masculine and uses the article „der“. It follows the strong declension pattern.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Gegenwert |
| Genitive | des | Gegenwert(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Gegenwert(e) |
| Accusative | den | Gegenwert |
Plural Declension
The plural form „die Gegenwerte“ is very rare and mostly used in specific technical contexts (e.g., accounting) when referring to multiple different equivalent values.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gegenwerte |
| Genitive | der | Gegenwerte |
| Dative | den | Gegenwerten |
| Accusative | die | Gegenwerte |
Example Sentences
- Er erhielt Aktien als Gegenwert für seine Investition.
(He received shares as consideration/equivalent value for his investment.) - Der Gegenwert dieser Dienstleistung ist schwer in Geld zu beziffern.
(The equivalent value of this service is hard to quantify in money.) - Was bietest du mir als Gegenwert dafür an?
(What do you offer me as an equivalent/in return for that?) - Der materielle Gegenwert des gestohlenen Schmucks war hoch.
(The material equivalent value of the stolen jewelry was high.)
🔄 When to use der Gegenwert?
The term „Gegenwert“ is frequently used in economic, financial, and legal contexts. It describes the principle of exchange and equivalence.
- Handel & Wirtschaft (Trade & Economy): When buying and selling goods or services (e.g., Der Preis ist der Gegenwert für die Ware - The price is the equivalent value for the goods).
- Verträge (Contracts): In agreements where services or goods are exchanged (e.g., Arbeitsleistung gegen Lohn als Gegenwert - Labour in exchange for wages as consideration).
- Finanzen (Finance): In investments, currency exchange, or valuations (e.g., Der Gegenwert von 100 Euro in Dollar - The equivalent value of 100 Euros in Dollars).
- Alltag (Everyday life): Also used figuratively, when receiving 'compensation' or recognition for an effort or favour (e.g., Ein Lächeln als Gegenwert für die Hilfe - A smile as the equivalent value for the help).
Comparison: While „Wert“ describes the absolute or subjective value of something, „Gegenwert“ always refers to a relation – the value in exchange for something else.
🧠 Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Wert (the value). Something you hold 'against' it (gegen) is der Gegenwert. Both are masculine!
Meaning Mnemonic: What stands 'opposite' (gegenüber) the value? It's the Gegenwert – the thing that balances the scale.
🔁 Synonyms, Antonyms & Relatives of Gegenwert
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Äquivalent: (Very similar, often in technical/formal contexts) Equivalent
- Entsprechung: (Something that corresponds to something else) Equivalent, correspondence
- Vergütung: (Often for work or services) Remuneration, compensation
- Leistung: (In the sense of „Leistung und Gegenleistung“) Performance, consideration
- Preis: (The monetary equivalent) Price
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Schuld: (An obligation without direct equivalent value) Debt, fault
- Verpflichtung: (A one-sided duty to perform) Obligation, commitment
- Forderung: (The claim to a performance/payment) Claim, demand
- (Direct antonyms are difficult as 'Gegenwert' is relational.)
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😄 A little Joke
German: Fragt der Kunde den Bäcker: „Was ist der Gegenwert für dieses Brot?“ Sagt der Bäcker: „Nun ja, entweder 3 Euro oder ein wirklich guter Witz!“ Der Kunde überlegt kurz und sagt: „Okay, hier sind 3 Euro.“ Der Bäcker: „Schade, ich hätte den Witz vorgezogen!“
English: A customer asks the baker: "What's the Gegenwert (equivalent value) for this loaf of bread?" The baker replies: "Well, either 3 Euros or a really good joke!" The customer thinks for a moment and says: "Okay, here are 3 Euros." The baker: "Too bad, I would have preferred the joke!"
📜 Poem about Gegenwert
German:
Für jede Müh', für jeden Schritt,
erwartet man ein Stückchen mit.
Ein Lohn, ein Dank, ein warmer Hauch,
der Gegenwert, so ist der Brauch.
Mal ist er Gold, mal nur ein Wort,
doch wichtig ist er hier und dort.
Er hält die Waage, stimmt sie ein,
so soll der Handel fair stets sein.
English Translation:
For every effort, every pace,
one expects a little grace.
A wage, a thanks, a warm regard,
the equivalent value, held hard.
Sometimes it's gold, sometimes just speech,
but vital within easy reach.
It holds the scales, makes them align,
so trade should always be benign.
🧩 Riddle
German:
Ich bin, was du bekommst, wenn du was gibst,
ein Ausgleich, den du oft vermisst.
Im Handel bin ich altbekannt,
mal Geld, mal Ware in der Hand.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: der Gegenwert
English Translation:
I am what you receive when something you give,
a balance that helps exchange live.
In trade, I am a well-known friend,
sometimes cash, sometimes goods to lend.
What am I?
Answer: der Gegenwert (the equivalent value / consideration)
🧐 Additional Info
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
The word „Gegenwert“ is a compound noun, composed of:
- gegen: preposition/adverb, here indicating a relation of exchange or correspondence (against).
- Wert: noun, meaning value, price, or importance.
Together, the meaning is roughly „value that stands opposite something else“ or „value as compensation/balance“.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gegenwert?
The word 'Gegenwert' is masculine. The correct article is der Gegenwert. It signifies the value given or received in exchange for something else, the equivalent value or consideration.