der
Jahresvergleich
📊 What exactly is a Jahresvergleich?
Der Jahresvergleich is a German noun meaning the year-on-year comparison or year-over-year comparison. It refers to comparing data, values, or key figures from a specific period (e.g., a month, quarter, or the entire year) with the corresponding period of the previous year (das Vorjahr). Its purpose is to show developments, trends, or changes over a twelve-month period.
It's commonly used in economic, financial, or statistical reports, for instance, to present sales increases, cost changes, or production developments.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ich → mostly masculine.
📝 Grammar: Der Jahresvergleich in Detail
Der Jahresvergleich is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Jahresvergleich |
| Genitive | des | Jahresvergleich(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Jahresvergleich |
| Accusative | den | Jahresvergleich |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Jahresvergleiche |
| Genitive | der | Jahresvergleiche |
| Dative | den | Jahresvergleichen |
| Accusative | die | Jahresvergleiche |
Example Sentences:
- Der Jahresvergleich zeigt ein deutliches Wachstum. (The year-on-year comparison shows significant growth.)
- Wir analysieren die Zahlen im Jahresvergleich. (We are analyzing the figures in a year-on-year comparison.)
- Die Ergebnisse des Jahresvergleichs werden morgen veröffentlicht. (The results of the year-on-year comparison will be published tomorrow.)
- Anhand der Jahresvergleiche lassen sich Trends erkennen. (Trends can be identified based on the year-on-year comparisons.)
💡 When to use Der Jahresvergleich
Der Jahresvergleich is primarily used in the following contexts:
- Economics and Finance: For analyzing balance sheets, profit and loss statements, revenues, stock prices, etc. (Example: "Der Umsatz stieg im Jahresvergleich um 10 %." - Sales increased by 10% year-on-year.)
- Statistics: For comparing demographic data, unemployment figures, inflation rates, etc. (Example: "Die Arbeitslosenquote sank im Jahresvergleich." - The unemployment rate decreased year-on-year.)
- Reporting: In news reports, business reports, and academic publications to illustrate developments over time.
- Weather and Climate: Comparing temperature, precipitation, or sunshine data. (Example: "Der letzte Winter war im Jahresvergleich milder." - Last winter was milder compared to the previous year.)
It's a formal term that suggests precision and objectivity. It is often abbreviated as "i. Vj." (im Vergleich zum Vorjahr - in comparison to the previous year) or the English abbreviation "YoY" (Year-over-Year) is also sometimes used in German contexts.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
For the article (der): Remember that Vergleich (comparison) is masculine: der Vergleich. Since 'Jahresvergleich' ends with '-vergleich', it takes the same masculine article: der Jahresvergleich.
For the meaning: Imagine comparing two Jahre (years) side-by-side. You're making a Vergleich (comparison) of the Jahre – that's a Jahresvergleich.
🔄 Synonyms and Contrasting Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Contrasting Terms (different timeframes):
- Monatsvergleich: (Monthly comparison) Comparison with the previous month or the same month of the previous year.
- Quartalsvergleich: (Quarterly comparison) Comparison with the previous quarter or the same quarter of the previous year.
- Tagesvergleich: (Daily comparison) Comparison with the previous day.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den Controller: "Wie sieht der Jahresvergleich aus?" Antwortet der Controller: "Nun ja, letztes Jahr um diese Zeit hatten wir auch schon fast den gleichen Tag!"
Translation: The boss asks the controller: "How does the year-on-year comparison look?" The controller replies: "Well, this time last year we also had almost the same day!"
📜 Poem about the Jahresvergleich
Das alte Jahr, es ist vergangen,
Das neue hat grad angefangen.
Man zieht Bilanz, schaut auf die Zahlen,
Will sehen, ob sich Mühen zahlen.
Der Jahresvergleich, er muss es richten,
Von Wachstum oder Fall berichten.
Translation:
The old year, it has passed away,
The new one just began today.
We take stock, look at the figures near,
Want to see if efforts paid off clear.
The year-on-year comparison must set it right,
Report on growth or falling light.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich schaue zwölf Monate zurück,
Bring' Wandel ans Licht, Stück für Stück.
Bin wichtig für Bilanzen sehr,
Was bin ich? Sag es mir doch, wer?
Translation:
I look back twelve months in time,
Bring change to light, line by line.
I'm crucial for balance sheets, you see,
What am I? Come on, tell me!
Answer: Der Jahresvergleich (The year-on-year comparison)
🧩 Word Composition
Der Jahresvergleich is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:
- Das Jahr: (The year) - A period of 12 months.
- -es-: A connecting element (Fugenlaut), often derived from the genitive case (here from des Jahres).
- Der Vergleich: (The comparison) - The act of comparing to find differences or similarities.
The gender of a German compound noun is determined by the last component. Since der Vergleich is masculine, der Jahresvergleich is also masculine.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Jahresvergleich?
The German word "Jahresvergleich" is masculine, so the correct article is always der Jahresvergleich. It means 'year-on-year comparison' or 'year-over-year comparison', referring to the comparison of data from one year to the previous year.