der
Preisverfall
📉 What does Preisverfall mean?
The German noun der Preisverfall refers to a significant and often rapid decline in prices for goods, services, or assets (like stocks or real estate). It's an economic term often carrying negative connotations, as it can indicate weak demand, oversupply, or economic difficulties.
There's only one article for this word: der.
🚨 Watch out: Don't confuse it with a simple Preissenkung (price reduction) or a Rabatt (discount), which are often planned and temporary. A Preisverfall is usually a broader and often undesirable trend.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-all → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Preisverfall
The noun 'Preisverfall' is masculine.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Preisverfall |
| Genitive | des | Preisverfalls / Preisverfalles |
| Dative | dem | Preisverfall / Preisverfalle |
| Accusative | den | Preisverfall |
The plural 'die Preisverfälle' is used less frequently and usually refers to multiple periods or instances of price declines across different markets or times.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Preisverfälle |
| Genitive | der | Preisverfälle |
| Dative | den | Preisverfällen |
| Accusative | die | Preisverfälle |
Example Sentences
- Der Preisverfall bei Grafikkarten freut die Gamer. (The price decline for graphics cards makes gamers happy.)
- Ökonomen warnen vor einem allgemeinen Preisverfall. (Economists warn of a general price decline.)
- Der plötzliche Preisverfall überraschte die Anleger. (The sudden price slump surprised investors.)
- Nach der Ernte kam es zu einem Preisverfall bei Agrarprodukten. (After the harvest, there was a price decline for agricultural products.)
💡 How to Use Preisverfall
'Preisverfall' is primarily used in the context of economics, finance, and trade.
- Contexts: You might talk about a Preisverfall for raw materials (e.g., Ölpreisverfall - oil price slump), real estate, stocks, or consumer goods (e.g., electronics).
- Typical Collocations:
- starker/dramatischer Preisverfall (strong/dramatic price decline)
- drohender/erwarteter Preisverfall (imminent/expected price decline)
- einen Preisverfall stoppen/aufhalten (to stop/halt a price decline)
- Preisverfall bei [product/asset] (price decline in [product/asset])
- Distinction: A Preisverfall is generally more negative and widespread than a Preissenkung (price reduction, often a marketing tactic) or a Rabatt (discount, temporary). Deflation describes a general price decline across many goods.
🧠 Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: Think of 'der Preis' (the price). Since the price 'fällt' (falls), it keeps the masculine article: der Preisverfall.
Remembering the Meaning: The word 'Verfall' sounds a bit like the English word 'fall'. So, prices are 'falling' – there's a Preisverfall.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Preisrückgang: General term for falling prices.
- Preissenkung: Often a deliberate reduction, but can be used synonymously.
- Wertverlust: Loss of value, often goes hand-in-hand with price decline.
- Baisse (Stock Market): Falling prices on the stock market (bear market).
- Deflation: A general and sustained decrease in the price level (opposite of inflation).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Preisanstieg: The opposite, prices are rising.
- Preissteigerung: Similar to Preisanstieg (price increase).
- Inflation: General increase in the price level.
- Wertsteigerung: Increase in the value of an asset.
- Hausse (Stock Market): Rising prices on the stock market (bull market).
⚠️ Caution: A Preissenkung can be positive (special offer), while a Preisverfall is usually a negative signal for the economy or an industry.
😄 A Little Joke
A customer asks the salesperson: „Gibt es hier bald einen Preisverfall?“
(Customer: "Will there be a price decline here soon?")
Salesperson replies: „Nein, aber wenn Sie lange genug warten, gibt es vielleicht einen Kundenverfall!“ 😉
(Salesperson: "No, but if you wait long enough, there might be a *customer decline*!" 😉)
📜 Poem about Price Decline
Die Kurse sinken, rot und tief,
Der Preisverfall, der lange schlief,
erwacht nun laut, mit großem Knall,
im Supermarkt und überall.
Was gestern teuer, stolz und hehr,
ist heute billig, fast nichts mehr.
Der Händler seufzt, der Käufer lacht,
hat wieder ein Schnäppchen er gemacht.
The rates are sinking, red and deep,
The price decline, long asleep,
now wakes up loud, with a big bang,
in supermarkets and everywhere.
What yesterday was pricey, proud, and grand,
is cheap today, worth almost nothing in the land.
The merchant sighs, the buyer beams,
having caught another bargain, it seems.
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich komme oft nach großem Boom,
verändere den Markt im Nu.
Die Händler fürchten meine Macht,
Hab' Preise schon zum Stürzen gebracht.
Was bin ich?
(I often come after a big boom,
changing the market in a flash.
Merchants fear my power,
I've already made prices crash.)
What am I?
(Answer: Der Preisverfall / Price decline)
ℹ️ Further Insights
Word Composition
The word „Preisverfall“ is a compound noun, composed of:
Together, it signifies a 'decline of prices'.
Economic Context
A severe Preisverfall can lead to a Deflationsspirale (deflationary spiral): Falling prices -> Consumers wait for even lower prices -> Lower demand -> Companies produce less / lay off employees -> Incomes decrease -> Demand decreases further -> Prices fall further.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Preisverfall?
The German word 'Preisverfall' is masculine: der Preisverfall. It refers to a significant decline or slump in prices.