der  Sachschaden

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈzaxˌʃaːdn̩/

📦 What exactly is 'der Sachschaden'?

Der Sachschaden (plural: die Sachschäden) refers to damage caused to a Sache, meaning a thing, object, or property. It does not refer to personal injuries (that would be ein Personenschaden).

Examples of Sachschäden include:

• A damaged car after an accident 🚗 (ein beschädigtes Auto)
• A broken window 🪟 (ein zerbrochenes Fenster)
• Water damage to furniture after a pipe burst 💧 (Wasserschäden an Möbeln)

It always refers to material damage to an object. The word is masculine, hence it's der Sachschaden.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Declining 'der Sachschaden'

The word "Sachschaden" is a masculine noun. It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Der Sachschaden am Auto war beträchtlich.
   (The property damage to the car was considerable.)
2. Die Versicherung deckt den Sachschaden ab.
   (The insurance covers the property damage.)
3. Zum Glück gab es nur einen Sachschaden und keinen Personenschaden.
   (Luckily, there was only property damage and no personal injury.)
4. Die Polizei nahm die Anzeige wegen Sachschadens auf.
   (The police recorded the report concerning property damage.)
5. Nach dem Sturm wurden zahlreiche Sachschäden gemeldet.
   (Numerous instances of property damage were reported after the storm.)

💬 Usage in Daily Life and Technical Language

The term Sachschaden is very commonly used in the following contexts:

• Insurance: When settling claims with liability, household, or comprehensive car insurance. (Versicherungen)
• Accidents: Especially in traffic accidents to describe damage to vehicles or objects. (Unfälle)
• Law: In civil law (damages) and criminal law (property damage as a crime). (Recht)
• Reporting: In news and police reports about accidents, vandalism, or natural disasters. (Berichterstattung)

It is important to distinguish Sachschaden from Personenschaden (damage to a person's health or life). Often, both occur together but are handled separately.

In everyday language, people sometimes just say "ein Schaden" (a damage) if it's clear they mean damage to a thing (e.g., "Ich habe einen Schaden am Fahrrad." - "I have damage to my bike."). However, "Sachschaden" is the more precise and formal term.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER driver who caused Schaden (damage) to DER car (a Sache). The masculine article der links to the resulting Sachschaden.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word itself is the key! Sach-Schaden = damage to a Sache (a thing, object). Imagine saying: "It's a shame about the Sache" - connecting 'Sache' (thing) to the 'Sach-' part of Sachschaden.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Potential Confusion

• Schaden (damage): This is a general term and can also mean personal injury, financial loss, etc. Sachschaden is more specific to objects.
• Sachbeschädigung: This refers specifically to the criminal offense of intentionally damaging someone else's property. Sachschaden just describes the damage itself, which can also happen accidentally.

😄 A Little Chuckle

Warum hat der Hammer beim Therapeuten angerufen?
Er hatte einen schweren Sachschaden... an seinem Selbstwertgefühl, nachdem der Nagel immer wieder krumm wurde!

Why did the hammer call the therapist?
It had severe property damage... to its self-esteem after the nail kept bending!

✍️ A Poem About Damage

Ein Knall, ein Rums, was ist gescheh'n?
Das Blech ist krumm, kaum anzuseh'n.
Kein Mensch verletzt, ein Glück im Leid,
nur Sachschaden weit und breit.
Die Versicherung wird's dann richten,
von Kosten und Berichten. Der Sachschaden, klar und rein,
lässt das Sparschwein traurig sein.

A bang, a crash, what happened there?
The metal's bent, beyond compare.
No person hurt, luck in the plight,
just property damage left and right.
Insurance will then make it square,
of costs and forms, a whole affair.
The Sachschaden, clear and plain,
makes the piggy bank feel the pain.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich treff' Metall, Glas oder Holz,
bin oft das Ergebnis von Ungeschick oder Groll.
Menschen verletz' ich nicht, das ist mein Glück,
doch Dinge leiden unter meinem Stück.
Die Versicherung fragt nach mir oft an,
weil ich Kosten verursachen kann.

Was bin ich? (Answer: der Sachschaden)

I hit metal, glass, or wood,
Often the result of clumsiness or mood.
I don't hurt people, that's my luck,
But things suffer when they're struck.
Insurance often asks about my name,
'Cause causing costs is my main game.

What am I? (Answer: property damage / der Sachschaden)

💡 More Tidbits

Word Composition:

The word "Sachschaden" is a compound noun, composed of:

• die Sache: Refers to a thing, an object, or property.
• der Schaden: Refers to a negative impact, impairment, loss, or destruction.

Together they mean: damage to a thing.

Relevance: The term is central to German insurance and liability law. The precise definition and demarcation (e.g., from consequential damages) can be legally complex.