der
Jahresbericht
📖 What exactly is a Jahresbericht?
A Jahresbericht (article: der) is a comprehensive document that details the activities, developments, and especially the financial situation of a company, organization, or association over the past fiscal year. It serves to inform shareholders, members, the public, or government authorities.
The word is always masculine: der Jahresbericht. There are no other articles or genders for this noun.
🧐 Grammar: Der Jahresbericht in Detail
The noun "Jahresbericht" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Jahresbericht |
| Genitive | des | Jahresberichts / Jahresberichtes |
| Dative | dem | Jahresbericht / Jahresberichte |
| Accusative | den | Jahresbericht |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jahresberichte |
| Genitive | der | Jahresberichte |
| Dative | den | Jahresberichten |
| Accusative | die | Jahresberichte |
Example Sentences
- Der Vorstand legte den Aktionären den neuen Jahresbericht vor. (The board presented the new annual report to the shareholders.)
- Im Jahresbericht des Vereins werden alle Aktivitäten des letzten Jahres aufgelistet. (The association's annual report lists all activities of the past year.)
- Die Veröffentlichung des Jahresberichts steht kurz bevor. (The publication of the annual report is imminent.)
- Wir müssen die Zahlen für den Jahresbericht noch einmal prüfen. (We need to check the figures for the annual report again.)
💼 When to use 'Jahresbericht'?
The term Jahresbericht is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Business & Companies: Here, it is often legally required and contains the balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and a management report. It is aimed at investors, banks, and the public.
- Associations & Organizations: Non-profit organizations also prepare Jahresberichte to inform members and donors about their activities and the use of funds (often also called Tätigkeitsbericht).
- Authorities & Institutions: Public institutions may also publish annual reports to account for their work.
It is a formal document and an important instrument of transparency and accountability.
🧠 Mnemonics for Memorization
Article Mnemonic: Think of a 'report' (Bericht) as being important and often presented by 'the boss', who might stereotypically be male – so it takes the masculine article der Bericht, and thus der Jahresbericht.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a whole Jahr (year) packed with events, all summarized at the end in a thick 'report' (Bericht) – that's the Jahresbericht.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Geschäftsbericht: Very often used synonymously, often with a stronger focus on a company's finances. (Business report)
- Tätigkeitsbericht: Emphasizes the activities carried out, often used by associations or foundations. (Activity report)
- Rechenschaftsbericht: Highlights the aspect of accountability and proof. (Accountability report)
- Jahresabschluss: Refers primarily to the purely financial part (balance sheet, P&L), is part of the Jahresbericht. (Annual financial statement)
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
Direct antonyms are difficult. One could mention documents with a shorter time horizon:
- Quartalsbericht: Report covering a quarter. (Quarterly report)
- Monatsbericht: Report covering a month. (Monthly report)
- Prognose / Ausblick: Looks into the future, not the past. (Forecast / Outlook)
😄 A Little Joke
Frage: Warum war der Jahresbericht so beliebt bei der Kaffeemaschine?
Antwort: Weil er so viele trockene Fakten enthielt, dass er ständig nach Flüssigkeit verlangte! ☕
Translation:
Question: Why was the annual report so popular at the coffee machine?
Answer: Because it contained so many dry facts that it constantly demanded liquid! ☕
✍️ Poem about the Jahresbericht
Ein Jahr ist um, die Zeit verrinnt,
der Jahresbericht nun beginnt.
Zahlen tanzen, schwarz auf weiß,
war das Geschäft nun kalt, mal heiß?
Der Vorstand liest, nickt dann und wann,
das nächste Jahr fängt bald schon an.
Translation:
A year is over, time flies by,
the annual report now starts high.
Numbers dance, in black and white,
was business cold, or sometimes bright?
The board reads, nods now and then,
the next year will soon begin again.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich komme einmal nur im Jahr,
mach' Finanzen und Taten klar.
Bin dick und wichtig, oft studiert,
von mir wird Leistung abkassiert.
Wer bin ich?
Lösung: Der Jahresbericht
Translation:
I come only once a year,
Make finances and deeds clear.
I'm thick and important, often studied,
Performance is judged based on me, it's included.
What am I?
Solution: The annual report (Der Jahresbericht)
🧩 Word Components
The word "Jahresbericht" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Jahr: Refers to the period of one year.
- -es-: A linking element (Fugenlaut), often derived from the genitive case, connecting the word parts.
- Bericht: A structured presentation of information or events (report).
Together, the meaning is therefore: A report about (or of) a year.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Jahresbericht?
The noun "Jahresbericht" is always masculine. The correct article is der. Example: Der Jahresbericht wurde veröffentlicht. (The annual report was published.)