der  Tarif

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/taˈʁiːf/

💰 What exactly does "der Tarif" mean?

The word der Tarif (plural: die Tarife) has several related meanings, mostly referring to fixed rates or agreements:

• Price list / Scale of charges: A systematic list of prices or fees for specific services or goods (e.g., Stromtarif - electricity rate, Handytarif - mobile phone plan, Taxitarif - taxi fare).
• Wage or salary agreement: An agreement (often between trade unions and employers' associations) on wages, salaries, and other working conditions in a specific industry or company (e.g., Tarifvertrag - collective bargaining agreement, Tarifverhandlungen - wage negotiations).
• Customs tariff: A rate or list of duties imposed on imported or exported goods.

Essentially, a Tarif always involves a standardized regulation of costs, prices, or wages.

🧐 Grammar of "der Tarif" in Detail

The noun "Tarif" is masculine. Here is its declension:

🚨 Note: In the genitive singular, both forms ("Tarifs" and "Tarifes") are possible, but "Tarifs" is more common. In the dative singular, "Tarif" is the usual form; "Tarife" is archaic or elevated.

Example Sentences

1. Welchen Tarif haben Sie für Ihr Handy?
   (Which plan do you have for your mobile phone?)
2. Die Gewerkschaft fordert einen neuen Tarif für die Angestellten.
   (The union is demanding a new wage agreement for the employees.)
3. Der Tarif für die Taxifahrt war höher als erwartet.
   (The fare for the taxi ride was higher than expected.)
4. Die neuen Tarife treten ab nächstem Monat in Kraft.
   (The new rates come into effect next month.)
5. Die Verhandlungen über den Tarif gestalten sich schwierig.
   (The negotiations about the wage agreement are proving difficult.)

💡 How is "der Tarif" used?

"Der Tarif" is used in various contexts, mostly concerning standardized prices or wages:

• Services: Handytarif (mobile plan), Internettarif (internet plan), Stromtarif (electricity rate), Gastarif (gas rate), Wassertarif (water rate), Taxitarif (taxi fare), Versicherungstarif (insurance rate).
• Working world: Tarifvertrag (collective agreement), Tarifverhandlung (wage negotiation), Tariflohn (standard wage rate), Tarifrunde (bargaining round), Tarifbindung (adherence to collective agreements), Haustarif (company-specific agreement). Here, "Tarif" often refers to the entire set of rules governing working conditions.
• Trade & Transport: Zolltarif (customs tariff), Frachttarif (freight rate), Beförderungstarif (transport fare).

Distinction from similar words:

• Preis (price): Is more general and can also be individually negotiated. A Tarif is a specific type of price list or regulation.
• Gebühr (fee): Often refers to a payment for a specific public or administrative service (e.g., Verwaltungsgebühr - administrative fee, Rundfunkgebühr - broadcasting fee). A Tarif can include fees but is often more comprehensive.
• Satz (rate): Can be used synonymously with Tarif (e.g., Gebührensatz - fee rate), but is often more abstract (e.g., Zinssatz - interest rate).

Common phrases include einen Tarif abschließen (to take out a plan/rate), in einen Tarif wechseln (to switch to a plan/rate), nach Tarif bezahlt werden (to be paid according to the standard wage agreement), or Tarife vergleichen (to compare rates/plans).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Tarif"

Remembering the article: Imagine a tough guy, DER negotiator, setting the TaRifF. (DER = T-R-F)

Remembering the meaning: Think of customs tariffs or mobile phone tariffs - these are fixed price lists or rates, just like the German Tarif.

🔄 Synonyms & Contrasting Concepts

⚠️ Note: There isn't a direct antonym. The contrasting terms describe situations where a fixed Tarif does not apply.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Werden Sie nach Tarif bezahlt?" Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Nein, ich werde nach Hause geschickt, wenn ich nicht arbeite!"

English Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Are you paid according to the Tarif (standard wage agreement)?" The employee says: "No, I get sent home if I don't work!" (This is a pun, as "nach Tarif bezahlt werden" sounds a bit like "nach Hause geschickt werden", meaning "to be sent home".)

📜 A Poem about the Tarif

German:
Ob Strom, ob Gas, ob Telefon,
der Tarif bestimmt den Lohn
für Leistung, die man gern empfängt,
auch wenn der Preis uns manchmal zwängt.

Im Job, da zählt der Vertrag,
was man verdient, an jedem Tag.
Die Regeln klar, für dich und mich,
so steht's im Tarif, ganz sicherlich.

English Translation:
Be it power, gas, or telephone,
the rate decides the pay you own
for service gladly taken in,
even if the price makes budgets thin.

At work, the contract is the key,
what you earn, for all to see.
The rules are clear, for you and me,
that's in the agreement, certainly.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe Sätze, doch kein Buch.
Ich regel Lohn und auch Verbrauch.
Ob Arbeit, Handy oder Bahn,
ich sag dir, was zu zahlen dran.

Was bin ich? → Der Tarif

English Translation:
I have rates/clauses (Sätze), but not a book.
I regulate wages and also consumption.
Whether work, mobile phone, or train,
I tell you what needs to be paid again.

What am I? → Der Tarif (The tariff/rate/agreement)

🌐 Other Information

Compound words: "Tarif" is often part of compound nouns specifying the area of application:

• Tarifvertrag (collective agreement)
• Tarifverhandlung (wage negotiation)
• Tarifrunde (bargaining round)
• Tariflohn (standard wage rate)
• Handytarif (mobile phone plan)
• Stromtarif (electricity rate)
• Zolltarif (customs tariff)
• Tarifzone (fare zone, e.g., in public transport)

Etymology: The word "Tarif" came into German via Italian tariffa from the Arabic word taʿrīfa, meaning "notification, price list". This, in turn, derives from the verb ʿarrafa ("to make known").