der
Schadenersatz
🧐 What exactly is Schadenersatz?
Der Schadenersatz (sometimes also written Schadensersatz) refers to the compensation someone must provide to make up for damage (*Schaden*) that they have unlawfully and culpably caused to another person. It's about financial or material reparation for a disadvantage suffered.
It's a compound noun formed from:
Since the base word "Ersatz" is masculine (der Ersatz), der Schadenersatz is also masculine. Masculine nouns often relate to concepts, actions, or results in law and finance.
🚨 Attention: Although both spellings (Schadenersatz/Schadensersatz) exist, the Duden dictionary recommends "Schadenersatz".
Article rules for der, die, and das
-tz → almost always masculine.
📐 Grammar in Detail: Der Schadenersatz
"Schadenersatz" is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular because it often refers to a total amount or the concept of compensation. The plural is rare but can occur when referring to multiple individual compensation payments.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Schadenersatz |
| Genitive | des | Schadenersatzes |
| Dative | dem | Schadenersatz(e) |
| Accusative | den | Schadenersatz |
Plural - Rare
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Schadenersätze |
| Genitive | der | Schadenersätze |
| Dative | den | Schadenersätzen |
| Accusative | die | Schadenersätze |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Kläger fordert hohen Schadenersatz. (The plaintiff demands high damages.)
- Die Versicherung leistete Schadenersatz für das beschädigte Auto. (The insurance paid damages for the damaged car.)
- Nach langem Rechtsstreit wurde ihm ein angemessener Schadenersatz zugesprochen. (After a long legal dispute, he was awarded adequate compensation.)
- Manchmal sind die geforderten Schadenersätze (Plural) überhöht. (Sometimes the demanded damages (plural) are excessive.)
💡 Usage in Context
"Der Schadenersatz" is a central term in the legal system (Rechtssystem), especially in civil law (Zivilrecht) and insurance law (Versicherungsrecht). You often encounter it in the following contexts:
- Schadenersatz fordern/verlangen: To claim/demand damages (when someone has suffered a loss due to another's actions and requests compensation).
- Schadenersatz leisten/zahlen: To pay/provide damages (when the person responsible or their insurance compensates for the damage).
- Anspruch auf Schadenersatz: The legal right to receive compensation.
- Höhe des Schadenersatzes: The amount or value determined for the reparation.
Comparison with Entschädigung: While Schadenersatz often compensates for specific material or financial damage, Entschädigung can also be used for non-material damages (e.g., Schmerzensgeld - compensation for pain and suffering) or for legally incurred disadvantages (e.g., compensation for expropriation). However, the terms are sometimes used synonymously.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
For the article (der): Think of legal terms often associated with masculinity in German grammar: DER Richter (judge), DER Anwalt (lawyer), DER Vertrag (contract). Or remember: If you have Schaden (damage), you need an Ersatz (replacement), and you demand it from DER guy who caused it!
For the meaning: Imagine someone causes Schaden (damage) to your bike. You need an Ersatz (replacement or repair). The money they pay for it is der Schadenersatz.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- die Entschädigung: Compensation, often synonymous, sometimes broader (also for non-material damages).
- die Wiedergutmachung: Reparation, making amends; has a strong moral connotation.
- der Ausgleich: Compensation, settlement; rather neutral, often financial.
- die Kompensation: Compensation; similar to Ausgleich, often used in an economic context.
- das Schmerzensgeld: Pain and suffering compensation; specific to non-material damages.
⚠️ Similar but Different Terms
- die Gewährleistung: Warranty (statutory); liability of the seller for defects in the purchased item (aims at repair, replacement, price reduction, withdrawal, or damages).
- die Garantie: Guarantee (voluntary); a promise (usually from the manufacturer) regarding the functionality of an item.
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie dem Kläger eine Ohrfeige gegeben?" Angeklagter: "Er hat meine Frau eine alte Kuh genannt!" Richter: "Und das rechtfertigt die Ohrfeige? Wann war das denn?" Angeklagter: "Vor drei Jahren, Herr Richter." Richter: "Und Sie schlagen ihn erst jetzt?" Angeklagter: "Ja, ich habe erst gestern eine Kuh gesehen und festgestellt, wie beleidigend das eigentlich ist! Jetzt fordere ich Schadenersatz für die verspätete Erkenntnis!"
EN: The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you slap the plaintiff?" Defendant: "He called my wife an old cow!" Judge: "And that justifies the slap? When did this happen?" Defendant: "Three years ago, Your Honor." Judge: "And you're only hitting him now?" Defendant: "Yes, I only saw a cow yesterday and realized how insulting it actually is! Now I demand Schadenersatz for the delayed realization!"
📜 Poem about Schadenersatz
DE:
Ein Spiegel brach, ein Auto krumm,
ein Fehler dumm, das Schicksal stumm.
Doch wer den Schaden hat verursacht,
wird zur Kasse nun gelauscht.
Der Schadenersatz muss fließen,
um den Ärger zu versüßen.
Ein Ausgleich soll es sein,
mal groß, mal klein, aber fein.
So steht's im Recht, so soll es sein,
wer Unheil stiftet, zahlt allein.
EN:
A mirror broke, a car bent askew,
A stupid mistake, fate silent and blue.
But whoever caused the damage done,
Is now called to pay, can't hide or run.
Der Schadenersatz must flow, you see,
To sweeten the bitter misery.
A compensation it should be,
Sometimes large, sometimes small, but agreeably.
So states the law, it must be paid,
Who causes harm, makes the grade (to pay).
❓ Riddle
DE:
Ich bin kein Geschenk, doch oft in Geld.
Ich folge dem Unheil in dieser Welt.
Hab' ich dich getroffen, war's dir nicht recht,
doch mein Kommen macht den Schaden vielleicht nicht mehr ganz so schlecht.
Ein Richter kennt mich, ein Anwalt auch,
man fordert mich laut, nach altem Brauch.
Was bin ich? ... Der Schadenersatz
EN:
I am no gift, but often paid in cash.
I follow misfortune in a dash.
If I have reached you, it wasn't your delight,
But my arrival might make the damage feel not quite so blight.
A judge knows me, a lawyer too,
I'm demanded loudly, as people often do.
What am I? ... Der Schadenersatz (Damages/Compensation)
🧩 Further Information
Word Composition:
The word "Schadenersatz" is a compound noun, composed of:
The connecting 's' ("Schadensersatz") is optional, but the spelling recommended by the Duden dictionary is without it.
Trivia:
In German law (§ 249 BGB - German Civil Code), the principle of Naturalrestitution (restitution in kind) is fundamental. This means the person who caused the damage must primarily restore the condition that would exist without the damaging event. Only if this is impossible or disproportionate is Schadenersatz paid in money.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Schadenersatz?
The word "Schadenersatz" is masculine. The correct article is der. So it's: der Schadenersatz, des Schadenersatzes.