der  Konjunktureinbruch

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔn.jʊŋkˈtuːɐ̯sˌʔaɪ̯n.bʁʊx/

📉 What does Konjunktureinbruch mean?

The German noun der Konjunktureinbruch (masculine) refers to a sudden and significant downturn in economic activity within an economy. It signifies a phase of decline in the Konjunkturzyklus (business cycle), often associated with falling production figures, rising unemployment, and reduced willingness to invest.

Essentially, it's a synonym for a recession or a sharp economic slump. The term emphasizes the sudden and negative nature of the decline (the "Einbruch" or "break-in" / "collapse").

There's only one article for this word: der.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar: Declension of 'der Konjunktureinbruch'

"Konjunktureinbruch" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

• Die Regierung versucht, den drohenden Konjunktureinbruch abzuwenden.
  (The government is trying to avert the impending economic slump.)
• Während des Konjunktureinbruchs verloren viele Menschen ihre Arbeit.
  (During the economic slump, many people lost their jobs.)
• Die Folgen des letzten Konjunktureinbruchs sind noch immer spürbar.
  (The consequences of the last economic slump are still noticeable.)
• Historisch gesehen gab es mehrere schwere Konjunktureinbrüche im 20. Jahrhundert.
  (Historically, there were several severe economic slumps in the 20th century.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

The term Konjunktureinbruch is primarily used in contexts dealing with economics, finance, and politics. You'll often find it in:

• Nachrichtenberichten und Zeitungsartikeln (News reports and newspaper articles) 📰
• Wirtschaftsanalysen und Prognosen (Economic analyses and forecasts) 💹
• Politischen Diskussionen (Political discussions about economic measures) 🏛️

It describes a serious economic situation and carries a negative connotation. It's stronger than a mere Konjunkturabschwächung (economic slowdown) but often used synonymously with Rezession (recession). Sometimes, "Einbruch" implies a more abrupt event than "Rezession".

⚠️ Avoid confusing it with Konjunktur (the general business cycle) or Konjunkturaufschwung (economic upswing).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of related masculine German nouns like der Markt (the market), der Abschwung (the downturn), der Einbruch (the break-in/collapse). Many economic phenomena in German take the masculine article, including der Konjunktureinbruch.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the economy as a building ("Konjunktur"). An "Einbruch" into this building means something negative and sudden is happening – the economy is collapsing or breaking down, activity is sharply declining.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Be careful with similar words: A Konjunkturabschwächung (economic slowdown) is milder than an Einbruch.

😄 A Little Economics Joke

German: Fragt der Reporter den Wirtschaftsminister: „Wie ist die aktuelle Lage?“ Sagt der Minister: „Teils, teils. Einigen geht es gut, anderen schlecht – genau wie der Konjunktur.“ Reporter: „Und wie geht es der Konjunktur?“ Minister: „Teils gut, teils schlecht!“

English Translation: A reporter asks the Economics Minister: "What's the current situation like?" The Minister replies: "So-so. Some are doing well, others badly – just like the economy." Reporter: "And how is the economy doing?" Minister: "Some good, some bad!"

📜 Poem about the Konjunktureinbruch

German:
Die Zahlen rot, die Stimmung flau,
die Wirtschaft zittert, grau in grau.
Ein Riss geht durch den Markt geschwind,
der Konjunktureinbruch beginnt.

Fabriken stehen still und leer,
die Arbeit fehlt, das Herz wird schwer.
Doch nach dem Tal, so lehrt die Zeit,
kommt Aufschwung bald und neue Freud'.

English Translation:
The numbers red, the mood is low,
The economy trembles, a greyish glow.
A crack runs through the market fast,
The economic slump starts to last.

Factories stand silent, bare,
No work is found, hearts fill with care.
But after the valley, time will show,
An upswing comes, new joys will grow.

❓ Riddle: What am I?

German:
Ich komme oft unerwartet, selten gern gesehen,
lasse Aktienkurse fallen und Firmen untergehen.
Ich bringe Sorgenfalten und leere Portemonnaies,
bin das Gegenteil vom Boom, ein wirtschaftliches Tief – na, wer weiß?

English Translation:
I often arrive unexpectedly, rarely welcomed,
I make stock prices fall and companies fail.
I bring worry lines and empty wallets,
I'm the opposite of a boom, an economic low – well, who knows?

Solution: Der Konjunktureinbruch (The economic slump/recession)

🧩 Word Components and Trivia

The word Konjunktureinbruch is a compound noun, made up of:

• Konjunktur: (Business cycle) Refers to the cycle of economic activity (fluctuations between upswing and downswing). The word comes from the Latin "coniungere" (to connect), indicating the connection of various economic factors.
• Einbruch: (Break-in, collapse, slump) Literally means a forced entry or a sudden collapse/giving way. Figuratively here: a sharp, sudden decline.

A well-known historical Konjunktureinbruch was the Great Depression starting in 1929, triggered by the stock market crash in New York.