der  Lebenslauf

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈleːbənslauf/

📜 What exactly is a Lebenslauf?

The German word der Lebenslauf (plural: die Lebensläufe) is a crucial document summarizing a person's educational path and professional career to date. It's typically required when applying for jobs, internships, university places, or scholarships. In English, this corresponds to a CV (Curriculum Vitae) or résumé.

Literally translated, it means "course of life" and, in a more general, less common sense, can also describe the entire progression of a life.

• Primary meaning: Document for applications (Curriculum Vitae, CV, résumé). This is the meaning you'll encounter most often.
• Less common meaning: The chronological course of a life.

🚨 Be aware: In the context of job applications (Bewerbungen), the first meaning is always intended.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Lebenslauf

The noun "Lebenslauf" is masculine. Therefore, the definite article is der.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Bitte senden Sie uns Ihren Lebenslauf per E-Mail zu.
   (Please send us your CV via email.)
2. Der Lebenslauf sollte lückenlos und übersichtlich sein.
   (The CV should be gap-free and clearly structured.)
3. Ich habe meinen Lebenslauf für die neue Stelle aktualisiert.
   (I have updated my résumé for the new job.)
4. Sie hat einen beeindruckenden Lebenslauf mit vielen internationalen Stationen.
   (She has an impressive CV with many international positions.)
5. Im Lebenslauf listet man Ausbildung und Berufserfahrung auf.
   (In the CV, one lists education and work experience.)

💡 How to Use "Lebenslauf"?

The term Lebenslauf is used almost exclusively in the context of applications (Bewerbungen). It's the standard document for presenting qualifications and experience in Germany and other German-speaking countries.

• Applications: The core component of any application portfolio (Bewerbungsmappe) for jobs, internships, universities, etc.
• Formats: Common formats include the tabular CV (tabellarischer Lebenslauf), often in reverse chronological order (antichronologisch, also called "American style"), and less frequently, the detailed CV in prose format (ausführlicher Lebenslauf).
• Difference from Biography: While a Lebenslauf (CV) lists stations factually and often in bullet points, a Biographie (biography) narrates a person's entire life story in detail, often including personal insights and interpretations.

In everyday conversation, the literal meaning "course of life" is rarely used, except perhaps in philosophical or literary contexts.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the article (der): Think of the typical career path as needing a guiDER. The guiDER for your career path is DER Lebenslauf.

Remembering the meaning: Break it down: Leben (life) + Lauf (run, course, path). Imagine you are running (Lauf) through the stages of your life (Leben), and the Lebenslauf is the map or record of that run, especially your professional one.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Biographie: A detailed account of a person's entire life.
• Motivationsschreiben / Anschreiben: (Cover letter / Letter of motivation) Explains the motivation for applying, complements the Lebenslauf.
• Zeugnis: (Certificate, testimonial, report card) Official assessment of performance (Arbeitszeugnis - work reference, Schulzeugnis - school report).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Personaler den Bewerber: "Ihr Lebenslauf ist ja beeindruckend lang! Was haben Sie denn vor zehn Jahren gemacht?"
Antwortet der Bewerber: "Hauptsächlich versucht, diesen Lebenslauf zu schreiben!" 😄

Translation:
The HR manager asks the applicant: "Your résumé is impressively long! What were you doing ten years ago?"
The applicant replies: "Mainly trying to write this résumé!" 😄

✍️ Poem about the Lebenslauf

Der Lebenslauf

Ein Blatt Papier, der Lebenslauf genannt,
hält fest die Spur, die man im Leben fand.
Von Schulzeit bis zum ersten Job,
jede Station, mal top, mal flop.

Geboren, gelernt, gereist, geschafft,
mit Datum, Ort und Leidenschaft.
Ein Spiegelbild, in Schrift gefasst,
für den, der prüfend drüber hast'.

So reicht man ihn, mit Hoffnung bang,
den Schlüssel für den Neuanfang.

Translation: The CV

A sheet of paper, called the Lebenslauf,
holds the track that one found in life.
From school days to the very first job,
every stage, sometimes top, sometimes flop.

Born, learned, travelled, achieved,
with date, place, and passion weaved.
A reflection, captured in script,
for the one who scrutinizes it.

So one hands it over, with anxious hope,
the key for a new beginning's scope.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich zeige deinen Weg,
doch hab' ich keine Beine.
Ich liste auf, was war,
doch bin ich keine Scheune.

Für den Job brauchst du mich sehr,
ordentlich und ohne Lücke, bitte sehr!

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I show your path,
but I have no legs.
I list what was,
but I am no barn (stores things).

For the job, you need me much,
tidy and without gaps, if you please!

What am I?

🤓 Trivia & Word Composition

Word Composition:

The word "Lebenslauf" is a compound noun, formed from:

• Das Leben: Meaning "life", existence, the span of being.
• Der Lauf: Meaning "run", "course", "progression", or even a track/path.

Together, they literally mean "course of life".

Trivia:

• In Germany, it has often been customary to include a professional application photo (Bewerbungsfoto) with the Lebenslauf. However, this practice is uncommon or even discouraged in other countries (like the US, UK) due to anti-discrimination laws.
• The "Europass CV" (Europass-Lebenslauf) is a standardized format designed to make qualifications and skills easily comparable across Europe.