der  Jahresdurchschnitt

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈjaːɐ̯əsˌdʊʁçʃnɪt/

📈 What exactly is a Jahresdurchschnitt?

The German word der Jahresdurchschnitt refers to the average value of a specific quantity, calculated over the period of an entire year. It's a statistical mean often used to smooth out fluctuations throughout the year and obtain a representative value for the whole year.

Examples of quantities for which an annual average (Jahresdurchschnitt) is calculated:

• Temperature (Temperatur)
• Precipitation amount (Niederschlagsmenge)
• Company revenue (Umsatz)
• Stock prices (Aktienkurse)
• Energy consumption (Energieverbrauch)

There is only one article for this word: der.

🧐 Grammar under the microscope: Der Jahresdurchschnitt

The word "Jahresdurchschnitt" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Der Jahresdurchschnitt der Temperatur lag bei 10 Grad Celsius.
   (The annual average temperature was 10 degrees Celsius.)
2. Wir berechnen den Jahresdurchschnitt des Umsatzes für den Geschäftsbericht.
   (We calculate the annual average revenue for the annual report.)
3. Die Jahresdurchschnitte der letzten Dekade zeigen einen klaren Trend.
   (The annual averages of the last decade show a clear trend.)

📊 When and how to use "Jahresdurchschnitt"?

The term Jahresdurchschnitt is mainly used in contexts where data is collected and analyzed over an entire year. Typical fields of application include:

• Statistics and Data Analysis: To identify long-term trends and make annual values comparable.
• Meteorology/Climatology: To describe the climate (e.g., Jahresdurchschnittstemperatur - annual average temperature, Jahresdurchschnittsniederschlag - annual average precipitation).
• Economics and Finance: To analyze business results, stock price developments, or economic indicators over a year.
• Science and Research: In many disciplines to present measurement results collected over a year.

It is a precise term that clarifies that the average value refers to a period of 12 months, distinguishing it from monthly (Monats-), daily (Tages-), or weekly (Wochen-) values.

💡 Mnemonics to remember

Article Aid: Think of der Durchschnitt (the average). Like der average guy, der Jahresdurchschnitt needs its definite article 'der'. Or think of 'der Wert' (the value) - the Jahresdurchschnitt is a specific value.

Meaning Aid: Break down the word: Jahr (year) + es (connecting 's') + Durchschnitt (average). It's the average (Durchschnitt) for a whole year (Jahr). Simple!

🔄 Similar and opposite terms

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist der Jahresdurchschnitt der Temperatur in der Wüste Sahara?"
Klein Fritzchen meldet sich: "Sehr hoch, Herr Lehrer! Ich war zwar noch nie da, aber wenn er niedrig wäre, würde sie ja nicht 'Wüste' heißen!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "What's the annual average temperature in the Sahara Desert?"
Little Fritz pipes up: "Very high, teacher! I've never been there, but if it were low, it wouldn't be called a 'desert'!"

📜 A Poem about Averages

Januar kalt, Juli heiß,
mal viel Regen, mal nur leis'.
Zwölf Monate zieh'n ins Land,
mit Daten, fein säuberlich zur Hand.

Man zählt zusammen, teilt sodann,
damit man es vergleichen kann.
Was kommt heraus, fragt man sich schlicht?
Der Jahresdurchschnitt – klares Licht!

Translation:
January cold, July hot,
Sometimes much rain, sometimes just a spot.
Twelve months pass through the land,
With data, neatly close at hand.

You add it up, then divide with might,
So you can compare it, day and night.
What's the result? one simply asks for sight.
The annual average – clear light!

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin eine Zahl, doch kein Tag und kein Monat zählt allein.
Ich glätte die Spitzen, heiß und auch kalt,
und zeige dir, wie das ganze Jahr im Mittel gestalt'.
Von Wetter bis Wirtschaft, ich gebe dir Sicht.
Wie nennt man mich? Na, weißt du es nicht?

Lösung: Der Jahresdurchschnitt

Translation:
I am a number, but no single day or month counts alone.
I smooth the peaks, both hot and cold,
And show you how the whole year, on average, took hold.
From weather to business, I give you insight.
What am I called? Well, do you know it right?

Answer: Der Jahresdurchschnitt (The annual average)

🧩 Word Components and More

Word Composition: The term "Jahresdurchschnitt" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Jahr: Meaning 'year', referring to the 12-month period.
• -es-: A connecting element (Fugen-s) linking the parts.
• Durchschnitt: Meaning 'average', specifically the arithmetic mean.

Trivia: Annual average values (Jahresdurchschnittswerte) are essential for long-term comparisons, for example, in observing climate change or the economic development of a country over decades.