der
Gewinn
💰 What does "der Gewinn" mean?
Der Gewinn is a masculine noun with several related meanings:
- Economically: The surplus remaining after deducting all costs from revenues (Profit, earnings). Example: Das Unternehmen erzielte einen hohen Gewinn. (The company achieved a high profit.)
- Games/Competitions: What one receives in a game, lottery, or competition (Prize, winnings). Example: Der Hauptgewinn war eine Reise. (The grand prize was a trip.)
- Generally: An advantage, benefit, or positive achievement (Gain, benefit). Example: Die Erfahrung war ein großer Gewinn für ihn. (The experience was a great gain for him.)
The only article for Gewinn is der, which makes it easy to remember the gender.
📊 Grammar of "der Gewinn" in Detail
"Der Gewinn" is a strong noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Gewinn | (Subject) |
| Genitive | des | Gewinn(e)s | (Possessive) |
| Dative | dem | Gewinn(e) | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | den | Gewinn | (Direct Object) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gewinne | (Subject) |
| Genitive | der | Gewinne | (Possessive) |
| Dative | den | Gewinnen | (Indirect Object) |
| Accusative | die | Gewinne | (Direct Object) |
Note: In the Genitive and Dative singular, forms with and without an "e" are possible (Gewinns/Gewinnes, Gewinn/Gewinne), though the forms without "e" are more common today.
📝 Example Sentences for Grammar
- Der Gewinn des Unternehmens stieg. (The company's profit increased. - Nominative Singular)
- Der Wert des Gewinnes / Gewinns wurde neu berechnet. (The value of the profit was recalculated. - Genitive Singular)
- Mit diesem Gewinn(e) können wir investieren. (With this profit, we can invest. - Dative Singular)
- Wir versteuern den Gewinn. (We pay taxes on the profit. - Accusative Singular)
- Die Gewinne wurden ausgeschüttet. (The profits were distributed. - Nominative Plural)
- Die Verteilung der Gewinne ist unklar. (The distribution of the profits is unclear. - Genitive Plural)
- Wir freuen uns über die hohen Gewinnen. (We are happy about the high profits. - Dative Plural)
- Sie meldeten hohe Gewinne. (They reported high profits. - Accusative Plural)
💡 How to Use "der Gewinn"
- In a business context: Talking about the financial success of a company. (e.g., Gewinnmarge - profit margin, Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung - profit and loss statement)
- For games & lotteries: Refers to the prize or the money/object won. (e.g., Lottogewinn - lottery win, Hauptgewinn - grand prize)
- In sports: Can denote the victory or an advantage in the game, although 'Sieg' (victory) is often more specific here.
- Figuratively: Describes a personal, social, or experiential advantage. (e.g., Ein Gewinn an Erfahrung - a gain in experience, ein Gewinn für das Team - an asset to the team)
Context is key: While "der Gewinn" is often financial, it can also be intangible. It always represents something positive that is added or achieved, in contrast to "der Verlust" (the loss).
🧠 Memory Aids for "der Gewinn"
For the article 'der': Think of 'the' strong business leader who makes 'der Gewinn'. Or imagine winning something valuable, maybe 'der Ring' (the ring) as your Gewinn.
For the meaning: It sounds like you 'gain' when you 'win'. Both 'gain' and 'win' are core parts of the meaning of Gewinn. The German verb 'gewinnen' (to win) is the direct root.
🔄 Alternatives and Opposites: der Gewinn
Synonyms
- Profit (der): Very similar, often used in an economic context.
- Ertrag (der): Often refers to the result of an investment or work (yield, return).
- Nutzen (der): Emphasizes the advantage or usefulness (benefit, utility).
- Vorteil (der): General term for something positive (advantage).
- Sieg (der): Specific to competitions and fights (victory).
- Plus (das): Colloquial for a financial surplus.
Antonyms
⚠️ Be careful: Although similar, nuances matter. "Sieg" doesn't fit for financial profit, and "Profit" doesn't fit for a moral advantage.
😂 For a Laugh
Warum nehmen Skelette nicht am Pokerturnier teil?
... Weil sie keinen Gewinn machen können – sie haben ja nichts zum Einsetzen und kein Pokerface!
(Why don't skeletons participate in the poker tournament?
... Because they can't make a profit/win - they have nothing to bet and no poker face!)
📜 Poetic about Gewinn
Man rechnet, schafft und investiert,
hofft, dass sich Mühe rentiert.
Am Ende zählt, was übrig bleibt,
ein Plus, das Sorgen oft vertreibt.
Ob Geld, ob Freundschaft, ob Applaus,
der Gewinn, er macht das Leben aus.
(One calculates, creates, and invests,
hoping that effort pays off.
In the end, what remains counts,
a plus that often drives away worries.
Whether money, friendship, or applause,
the gain/win, it makes up life.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin das Ziel von harter Arbeit,
oder das Glück in kurzer Zeit.
Im Geschäft bin ich der Überschuss,
beim Lotto heiß ersehnt, ein Muss.
Mein Gegenteil ist der Verlust.
Was bin ich?
(I am the goal of hard work,
or luck in a short time.
In business, I am the surplus,
in the lottery, eagerly awaited, a must.
My opposite is the loss.
What am I?)
... Der Gewinn (The profit / gain / win)
🧩 Interesting Tidbits
Word Formation: "Der Gewinn" is a noun derived from the verb "gewinnen" (to win). This process is called substantivization, turning the action (winning) into the result (the win/profit).
Compound Words: There are many compound words (Komposita) with "Gewinn", for example:
- Gewinnmarge (die): Profit margin.
- Gewinnwarnung (die): Profit warning (a company announcement that expected profits won't be met).
- Gewinnspiel (das): Competition, raffle, prize draw.
- Gewinnbeteiligung (die): Profit sharing.
Summary: is it der, die or das Gewinn?
The word "Gewinn" is always masculine. The correct article is definitively der Gewinn.