der
Preisvergleich
🧐 What exactly is a Preisvergleich?
Der Preisvergleich (noun, masculine) refers to the process or result of comparing prices for identical or similar products or services from different providers. The goal is usually to find the cheapest offer (das günstigste Angebot).
It's a compound noun formed from 'der Preis' (price) and 'der Vergleich' (comparison). Since the base word 'Vergleich' is masculine, 'Preisvergleich' is also masculine (maskulin).
There are no different meanings based on the article, as 'Preisvergleich' only takes the article 'der'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ich → mostly masculine.
📊 Grammar & Declension of 'der Preisvergleich'
The word 'Preisvergleich' is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom.) | der Preisvergleich | ein Preisvergleich |
| Genitive (Gen.) | des Preisvergleichs / Preisvergleiches | eines Preisvergleichs / Preisvergleiches |
| Dative (Dat.) | dem Preisvergleich / Preisvergleiche | einem Preisvergleich / Preisvergleiche |
| Accusative (Acc.) | den Preisvergleich | einen Preisvergleich |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Preisvergleiche | Preisvergleiche |
| Genitive | der Preisvergleiche | Preisvergleiche |
| Dative | den Preisvergleichen | Preisvergleichen |
| Accusative | die Preisvergleiche | Preisvergleiche |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Preisvergleich im Internet spart oft viel Geld.
(The price comparison on the internet often saves a lot of money.) - Dank eines gründlichen Preisvergleichs fand sie das günstigste Hotel.
(Thanks to a thorough price comparison, she found the cheapest hotel.) - Mit diesem Preisvergleich findest du schnell den besten Tarif.
(With this price comparison, you'll quickly find the best rate.) - Viele Portale bieten automatische Preisvergleiche an.
(Many portals offer automatic price comparisons.)
💡 How 'Preisvergleich' is Used
The term 'Preisvergleich' is very common in everyday life, especially when shopping (beim Einkaufen) both online and offline, and when searching for services (e.g., insurance - Versicherungen, electricity tariffs - Stromtarife, travel - Reisen).
- Typical Contexts: Online shopping, searching for good deals (günstige Angebote), concluding contracts (Vertragsabschlüsse), booking travel.
- Usage: One 'macht' (makes) a Preisvergleich, 'führt durch' (carries out) a Preisvergleich, or 'nutzt' (uses) a Preisvergleich (often referring to a comparison portal).
- Related Terms: Often used in connection with 'Schnäppchen' (bargains), 'Rabatt' (discount), 'Angebot' (offer), or 'günstig' (cheap/affordable).
- Distinction: A 'Produktvergleich' (product comparison) focuses more on features than just the price, although price is often a criterion. A 'Leistungsvergleich' (service/performance comparison) tends to look at the scope of the service offered in relation to the price.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article 'der':
Remember: The base word der Vergleich (comparison) is masculine. Therefore, der Preisvergleich is also masculine. Think: Der smart shopper does den comparison.
Meaning:
Preis (Price) + Vergleich (Comparison) = Comparing prices. Simple! Imagine scales (Vergleich) with price tags (Preisschilder) on each side.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Angebotsvergleich: Comparison of offers; emphasizes comparing entire packages (price + service/features).
- Kostenvergleich: Cost comparison; similar, focusing on the costs.
- Tarifvergleich: Rate comparison; specifically for services with tariffs (electricity, mobile phone, insurance).
- Marktübersicht (partially): Market overview; can include a price comparison but is broader.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Festpreis: Fixed price; a price that is not negotiable or comparable (in the sense of alternatives from the same provider).
- Monopolpreis: Monopoly price; pricing without competition, making comparison impossible or meaningless.
- Impulskauf: Impulse purchase; buying without prior comparison.
⚠️ Similar but different terms:
- Preisnachlass / Rabatt: Price reduction / discount; a lowering of the price, not a comparison process.
- Preisschwankung: Price fluctuation; changes in price over time.
- Produktbewertung: Product review/rating; assessment of quality, not primarily price.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Skelette nie am Preisvergleich teil?
(Why do skeletons never take part in price comparisons?)
Weil sie keinen Körper haben, um die Kosten zu tragen!
(Because they have no body to bear the costs! - A pun on 'Kosten tragen' which means 'to bear the costs' and 'Körper' meaning 'body')
📜 Poem about Price Comparison
Ob Handy, Flug, ob neues Kleid,
(Whether phone, flight, or new dress,)
mach dich zum Sparen schnell bereit.
(get ready quickly to save.)
Schau links, schau rechts, schau online nach,
(Look left, look right, look online,)
wo schlummert wohl das Schnäppchenfach?
(where might the bargain compartment slumber?)
Der Preisvergleich, so schlau und fein,
(The price comparison, so clever and fine,)
lässt Euros dir im Beutel sein.
(lets Euros remain in your purse.)
Drum nutze ihn mit viel Bedacht,
(So use it with much consideration,)
bevor der Kauf wird abgemacht!
(before the purchase is finalized!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich zeige dir, wo's billiger ist,
(I show you where it's cheaper,)
damit du beim Kauf nichts vergisst.
(so you forget nothing when buying.)
Von Shop zu Shop, von A nach B,
(From shop to shop, from A to B,)
ich helfe sparen, ohjemine!
(I help save money, oh dear me!)
Was bin ich?
(What am I?)
Lösung: Der Preisvergleich
(Solution: The price comparison)
🌐 Other Information
Word Composition:
Der Preisvergleich is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:
- Der Preis: The price; the amount of money to be paid for a good or service.
- Der Vergleich: The comparison; the act of comparing two or more things to identify differences or similarities.
Trivia:
- Price comparison portals (Preisvergleichsportale) on the internet (like Idealo, Check24, Geizhals, etc.) have become a crucial part of modern e-commerce.
- Consumer organizations like 'Stiftung Warentest' in Germany often conduct comparisons that consider both product quality and prices.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Preisvergleich?
The word 'Preisvergleich' is masculine. The correct article is always der: der Preisvergleich (the price comparison), des Preisvergleichs (of the price comparison), die Preisvergleiche (the price comparisons).