der  Leistungsumfang

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlaɪstʊŋsˌʊmˌfaŋ/

📖 What exactly is 'der Leistungsumfang'?

The German noun der Leistungsumfang describes the entirety of the services (Leistungen), products, or work to be provided within the framework of a contract (Vertrag), offer (Angebot), or project (Projekt). It defines exactly what will be delivered or done.

It's a compound noun formed from:

• die Leistung (performance, service, benefit)
• der Umfang (scope, extent, range)

The article is always der (masculine), because the base word 'Umfang' is masculine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'Leistungsumfang'

'Leistungsumfang' is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Note: The Genitive with '-es' and Dative with '-e' are less common and more formal.

The plural ('die Leistungsumfänge') is rarely used, as one often speaks of the specific scope of one contract. If used, it declines as follows:

Example Sentences

• Der Leistungsumfang des Angebots ist klar definiert.
  (The scope of services in the offer is clearly defined.)
• Wir müssen den Leistungsumfang noch einmal genau prüfen.
  (We need to check the scope of services carefully again.)
• Innerhalb des vereinbarten Leistungsumfangs sind alle notwendigen Arbeiten enthalten.
  (All necessary work is included within the agreed scope of services.)
• Der Kunde war mit dem Leistungsumfang zufrieden.
  (The customer was satisfied with the scope of services.)

🗣️ Usage in Context

The term 'Leistungsumfang' is mainly used in formal and business contexts:

• Contracts (Verträge): Defines precisely which services are owed. Example: "Der detaillierte Leistungsumfang ist in Anlage 1 dieses Vertrages aufgeführt." (The detailed scope of services is listed in Appendix 1 of this contract.)
• Offers (Angebote): Describes what a customer receives for a specific price. Example: "Bitte prüfen Sie den Leistungsumfang unseres Angebots sorgfältig." (Please carefully review the scope of services in our offer.)
• Project Management (Projektmanagement): Specifies which tasks and deliverables are part of a project (often also called 'Scope' in English). Example: "Änderungen am Leistungsumfang erfordern einen formalen Änderungsantrag." (Changes to the scope of services require a formal change request.)
• Service Descriptions (Dienstleistungsbeschreibungen): Explains which services are included in a package. Example: "Der Leistungsumfang unseres Premium-Pakets beinhaltet auch den 24/7-Support." (The scope of services for our premium package also includes 24/7 support.)

It is a crucial term for avoiding misunderstandings about the content of an agreement.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: The base word is der Umfang (the scope/circumference). Think of a circle (Umfang) that encompasses all the services (Leistungen). Since 'Umfang' is masculine, 'Leistungsumfang' is also masculine: der Leistungsumfang.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a shopping list (the Leistungen) that has a specific Umfang (scope/size) – no more, no less. That's the Leistungsumfang (scope of services).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: 'Leistungsfähigkeit' describes the ability or capacity to perform, not the defined scope of the performance itself.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie den Leistungsumfang des Projekts verstanden?" Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Ja, Chef! Ich leiste so viel, bis mein Akku leer ist, und dann gehe ich nach Hause. Das ist mein persönlicher Leistungsumfang!"

English: The boss asks the new employee: "Have you understood the project's scope of services (Leistungsumfang)?" The employee replies: "Yes, boss! I perform until my battery is empty, and then I go home. That's my personal scope of performance!"

📜 Poem about the Word

German:
Der Vertrag ist unterschrieben, das Werk beginnt,
doch was genau wird nun geschwind?
Schau nach im Dokument, ganz klar und bang,
da steht er drin: der Leistungsumfang.

Nicht mehr, nicht weniger, so ist's bestellt,
was man für sein Geld erhält.
Er gibt den Rahmen, eng und weit,
für die vereinbarte Arbeitszeit.

English:
The contract's signed, the work takes flight,
But what exactly sees the light?
Look in the doc, clear, free of slang,
There it resides: der Leistungsumfang.

No more, no less, as was agreed,
What one receives for price and deed.
It sets the bounds, both tight and vast,
For working time designed to last.

🤔 A Little Riddle

German:
Ich steh' im Vertrag, mal kurz, mal lang,
bestimme genau den Arbeitsgang.
Ich sage dir, was man für dich tut,
mal mit viel, mal mit wenig Mut.

Was bin ich?

English:
I'm in the contract, sometimes short, sometimes long,
I define precisely where the work belongs.
I tell you what will be done for you,
Sometimes with much, sometimes with little ado.

What am I?
(Answer: Der Leistungsumfang / The scope of services)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Leistungsumfang' is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), made up of:

• Die Leistung: Derived from the verb 'leisten' (to perform, achieve, afford). It refers to the result of work, a service rendered, or a contribution.
• Der Umfang: Refers to the extent, size, or scope of something.

Together, it describes the 'scope of the service to be rendered'.