der  Konkurs

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔnˈkuʁs/

💰 What does 'der Konkurs' mean?

Der Konkurs (noun, masculine) refers to insolvency or bankruptcy of a company or an individual. It describes the state where a debtor can no longer meet their due payment obligations to their creditors. The subsequent legal procedure is called Konkursverfahren (bankruptcy proceedings) or, more commonly today in Germany, Insolvenzverfahren (insolvency proceedings). The goal is either to distribute the debtor's remaining assets fairly among the creditors or to restructure/rehabilitate the company.

🚨 While 'Konkurs' was the traditional legal term, the official term used in Germany today is Insolvenz (governed by the Insolvenzordnung - InsO). However, in colloquial German, 'Konkurs' and 'Pleite' (bust/broke) are still frequently used synonymously.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Konkurs

The word 'Konkurs' is a masculine noun. It is primarily used in the singular. The plural 'die Konkurse' is rare and usually refers to multiple separate bankruptcy cases.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural (rare)

💡 Examples

1. Das Unternehmen musste leider Konkurs anmelden.
   (Unfortunately, the company had to file for bankruptcy.)
2. Der Richter eröffnete das Konkursverfahren.
   (The judge opened the bankruptcy proceedings.)
3. Viele Gläubiger meldeten ihre Forderungen im Konkurs an.
   (Many creditors registered their claims in the bankruptcy.)
4. Die Angst vor dem Konkurs war groß.
   (The fear of bankruptcy was great.)
5. Die Zahl der Konkurse ist in diesem Jahr gestiegen. (Plural)
   (The number of bankruptcies has increased this year.)

💬 How is 'Konkurs' used?

The term 'Konkurs' is mainly used in economic and legal contexts. Although the official legal term today is 'Insolvenz', 'Konkurs' is still very present in general language use and the media.

• Formal Context: In older legal texts or historical analyses.
• Colloquial Context: Often used synonymously with 'Pleite' (bust) or 'Bankrott' (bankrupt) to describe the failure of a company or person (e.g., "Die Firma ist in Konkurs gegangen." - The company went bankrupt.).
• Set Phrases: "Konkurs anmelden" (to file for bankruptcy), "in Konkurs gehen" (to go bankrupt), "Konkursmasse" (bankruptcy estate/assets), "Konkursverwalter" (bankruptcy administrator, now Insolvenzverwalter).

Comparison:

• Insolvenz: The modern, legally correct umbrella term for inability to pay and/or over-indebtedness. Also includes possibilities for restructuring (Sanierung).
• Pleite: Very colloquial for insolvency, often with a negative connotation.
• Bankrott: Similar to Konkurs, often used in the context of personal financial ruin. Comes from Italian ("banca rotta" - broken bank/bench of the money changer).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article 'der': Imagine 'the' (der) big, heavy judge's gavel coming down, sealing the bankruptcy. It's a strong, decisive, masculine-associated action: der Konkurs.

Meaning 'bankruptcy/insolvency': Think of 'Konkurs' sounding a bit like 'conquer us'. The debts and financial problems have 'conquered' the company, leading to its failure or bankruptcy.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Konkurrenz: Competition. Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Bank überfallen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Sie hat angefangen! Sie hat mir zuerst mit Konkurs gedroht!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you rob the bank?"
The defendant replies: "It started it! It threatened me with bankruptcy first!"

📜 Poem about Konkurs

Die Kassen leer, die Schulden schwer,
kein Ausweg scheint zu finden mehr.
Der Hammer fällt, das Siegel drauf,
es endet der Geschäfteslauf.
Der Konkurs klopft an die Tür,
nichts bleibt, wie es gewesen hier.
Ein harter Schnitt, ein bitt'res Los,
die Firma ist die Sorgen los?

Translation:
The coffers empty, debts severe,
No way out seems to be found here.
The gavel falls, the seal applied,
The course of business has now died.
Bankruptcy knocks upon the door,
Nothing remains as 'twas before.
A harsh cut, a bitter fate,
Is the firm free from worry's weight?

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Ende, oft beklagt,
wenn Zahlen lügen, unverzagt.
Ich komme, wenn das Geld verfällt,
und Gläubiger auf Listen stellt.
Man meldet mich beim Amte an,
bevor man nichts mehr zahlen kann.

Was bin ich?
(What am I?)

Lösung/Solution: Der Konkurs (Bankruptcy)

Translation of the riddle:
I am an end, often lamented,
When numbers lie, undaunted.
I come when money disappears,
And creditors are listed by their peers.
One registers me at the office door,
Before one can pay nothing more.

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology): The word 'Konkurs' comes from the Latin concursus, meaning 'a running together' or 'assembly'. In the legal sense, it originally referred to the 'gathering of creditors' (concursus creditorum) who asserted their claims against the debtor.

Historical Context: In Germany, the Konkursordnung (KO) of 1877 regulated the procedure until the introduction of the Insolvenzordnung (InsO) in 1999. The InsO places a greater emphasis on the goal of restructuring the company or achieving discharge of residual debt (Restschuldbefreiung) for private individuals.