der  Haushaltsentwurf

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhaʊsˌhaltsˌɛntˌvʁʊf/

💰 What exactly is a 'Haushaltsentwurf'?

Der Haushaltsentwurf (masculine, article 'der') refers to the draft or proposal for the future income and expenditures of a public body (like federal government, states, municipalities) or also an organization or company for a specific period (usually one year). So, it's not the finally approved budget (that's der Haushaltsplan), but the basis for discussion.

Imagine the government planning how much money it wants to spend next year (for schools, roads, defense, etc.) and where this money should come from (taxes, loans). This first detailed plan is the Haushaltsentwurf. It is then debated in parliament, amended, and finally approved.

⚠️ Do not confuse it with der Haushaltsplan, which is the already approved and legally binding budget.

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'der Haushaltsentwurf'

The word "Haushaltsentwurf" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Die Regierung legt den Haushaltsentwurf dem Parlament vor.
   (The government presents the draft budget to the parliament. - Accusative Singular)
2. Die Debatte über den Haushaltsentwurf war sehr langwierig.
   (The debate about the draft budget was very lengthy. - Accusative Singular)
3. Die Änderungen des Haushaltsentwurfs wurden kontrovers diskutiert.
   (The changes to the draft budget were controversially discussed. - Genitive Singular)
4. In den Haushaltsentwürfen der letzten Jahre spiegeln sich politische Prioritäten wider.
   (The draft budgets of recent years reflect political priorities. - Dative Plural)

🏛️ When and how to use 'Haushaltsentwurf'?

The term Haushaltsentwurf is mainly used in the context of politics, public administration, and finance. It typically appears in news reports, political debates, and official documents.

• Context: Deliberations in the Bundestag (German federal parliament) or Landtag (state parliament), press releases from the Ministry of Finance, discussions about government spending and revenue.
• Typical Verbs: einen Haushaltsentwurf vorlegen (to present), einbringen (to introduce), beraten (to deliberate), diskutieren (to discuss), ändern (to amend), ablehnen (to reject).
• Distinction: As mentioned, the Haushaltsentwurf is the proposal, while the Haushaltsplan (or simply Haushalt) is the adopted budget. A Nachtragshaushalt is a supplementary budget amending an already adopted Haushaltsplan.

You typically say "der Haushaltsentwurf für das Jahr [year]" (the draft budget for the year [year]) or "der Haushaltsentwurf der Regierung/des Ministeriums" (the draft budget of the government/ministry).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'der': Think of the 'draft' (Entwurf) being presented by a male figurehead, like 'der Kanzler' (the Chancellor) or 'der Minister'. Masculine leadership presents der Entwurf. Also, 'Entwurf' itself is masculine in German.

For the meaning 'draft': The word contains "Entwurf", which sounds a bit like "wurf" (throw). A draft is like the first 'throw' or attempt at creating the budget – it's not the final version yet. The Haushaltsentwurf is the first draft/throw for the Haushaltsplan.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

🚨 Potential Confusion

• Haushaltsplan: The most common counterpart. The Entwurf (draft) becomes the Plan (plan/budget) once approved.
• Nachtragshaushalt: A supplementary budget to correct or add to an existing Haushaltsplan, not an initial draft.

😂 A Little Joke

Ein Abgeordneter fragt den Finanzminister: "Ist es wahr, dass unser neuer Haushaltsentwurf auf sehr optimistischen Annahmen basiert?"
Antwortet der Finanzminister: "Optimistisch? Nein, eher kreativ! Wir nennen es jetzt 'fiskalische Fiktion'." 😉

Translation:
A member of parliament asks the finance minister: "Is it true that our new draft budget is based on very optimistic assumptions?"
The finance minister replies: "Optimistic? No, more like creative! We now call it 'fiscal fiction'." 😉

📜 A Poem About the Draft

Der Haushaltsentwurf, ein dickes Buch,
Voll Zahlen, Pläne, manchem Fluch.
Die Einnahmen hier, die Ausgaben dort,
Ein erster Wurf an diesem Ort.

Im Parlament wird heiß debattiert,
Wo wird gekürzt, wo investiert?
Der Entwurf wird geprüft, gedreht, gewandt,
Bis er als Plan besteht im Land.

Translation:
The draft budget, a hefty book,
Full of numbers, plans, many a curse.
The revenues here, the expenditures there,
A first draft in this place.

In parliament, it's hotly debated,
Where to cut, where to invest?
The draft is checked, turned, twisted,
Until it stands as a plan in the land.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Plan, doch noch nicht fest,
Ein Zahlenwerk, das hoffen lässt.
Die Regierung bringt mich ein,
Bevor ich darf Gesetz dann sein.
Diskussionen weck' ich sehr,
Was bin ich? Ratet her!

Translation:
I am a plan, but not yet fixed,
A work of numbers that brings hope.
The government introduces me,
Before I can become law.
I awaken many discussions,
What am I? Guess now!

Solution: Der Haushaltsentwurf (The draft budget)

🧩 Further Details on 'Haushaltsentwurf'

Word Composition

The word "Haushaltsentwurf" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Haushalt: Refers here to the budget, the planning of income and expenditure (originally: running a household). The connecting 's' ("Haushalts") links the two parts.
• Entwurf: Means draft, sketch, concept, first proposal.

Together, the meaning is essentially: draft of the budget.

Trivia

The process from creating the Haushaltsentwurf to passing the Haushaltsgesetz (Budget Act) is a central element of parliamentary democracy in Germany. It is often referred to as the "Königsrecht des Parlaments" (the parliament's royal prerogative) because it determines the financial basis for government actions.