der  Überschuss

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈyːbɐʃʊs/

💰 What does "der Überschuss" mean?

Der Überschuss generally refers to an amount, quantity, or value that exceeds what is necessary, expected, or consumed. It's what remains after all costs or obligations are covered.

• Economically: The term is mostly used in an economic context and means profit or surplus. A company generates an Überschuss when revenues are higher than expenses (e.g., Haushaltsüberschuss - budget surplus, Handelsüberschuss - trade surplus).
• Generally: It can also refer to an excess or a surplus quantity of something (e.g., an Überschuss an Energie - surplus of energy, an Überschuss an Informationen - excess of information).

⚠️ The term is almost always viewed positively when referring to finances, but it can also be negative in other contexts (e.g., an Überschuss an unverkauften Waren - a surplus of unsold goods).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "der Überschuss" in Detail

"Überschuss" is a masculine noun. The plural is "die Überschüsse".

Example Sentences

1. Das Unternehmen meldete einen beträchtlichen Überschuss für das letzte Quartal.
   (The company reported a considerable surplus for the last quarter.)
2. Ein Überschuss an Vitaminen kann manchmal schädlich sein.
   (An excess of vitamins can sometimes be harmful.)
3. Der Staatshaushalt weist einen leichten Überschuss auf.
   (The state budget shows a slight surplus.)
4. Wir haben einen Überschuss an Äpfeln aus dem Garten – möchtest du welche?
   (We have a surplus of apples from the garden – would you like some?)

💡 How to use "der Überschuss"?

Der Überschuss is often used in formal contexts, especially in:

• Economics and Finance: Reports on profits, balance sheets, state budgets (e.g., Bilanzüberschuss - balance sheet surplus, Exportüberschuss - export surplus).
• Production and Trade: Describing overproduction or inventory levels (e.g., Produktionsüberschuss - production surplus).
• General Quantities: When something is available in abundance (e.g., Energieüberschuss - energy surplus, Kalorienüberschuss - calorie surplus).

Comparison with similar words:

• Gewinn (Profit): Very similar in the economic context, often interchangeable with Überschuss. However, 'Überschuss' can also refer to non-monetary quantities.
• Plus (Plus/Positive balance): More colloquial for a positive balance or advantage.
• Rest (Remainder/Leftover): Refers to what is left, regardless of whether it's positive or negative or more than needed. An Überschuss is a specific type of Rest (a positive remainder exceeding the target).
• Überfluss (Abundance/Plenty): Emphasizes the large quantity exceeding the normal or necessary, often less formal than 'Überschuss'.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Überschuss"

For the article (der): Think of 'DER boss' having a big surplus. 'Boss' helps remember the masculine article.

For the meaning (Surplus/Profit): Imagine 'shooting' (Schuss) 'over' (Über-) the target 🎯 with money 💰. What goes 'over' is the Überschuss (surplus).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Überschuss"

Potential for Confusion:

Sometimes "Überschuss" might be confused with "Ausschuss". However, "Ausschuss" means rejects/substandard goods or a committee/panel.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Finanzminister seine Frau: "Schatz, was wünschst du dir zum Geburtstag?"
Sie: "Etwas, das von 0 auf 100 in unter 3 Sekunden geht!"
Er schenkt ihr eine Waage.
Sie: "Und was hat das mit unserem Haushaltsüberschuss zu tun?"
Er: "Nichts, aber ich hatte noch Geld übrig!" 😉

Translation:
The finance minister asks his wife: "Honey, what do you want for your birthday?"
She: "Something that goes from 0 to 100 in under 3 seconds!"
He gives her a bathroom scale.
She: "And what does that have to do with our budget surplus?"
He: "Nothing, but I had money left over!" 😉

📜 Poem about the Überschuss

Die Kasse klingelt, zählt geschwind,
Ein Plus entsteht, vom Glück gesinnt.
Mehr Einnahmen als Kostenlast,
Der Überschuss, er wächst mit Hast.

Ob Korn im Speicher, Geld im Sack,
Was übrig bleibt, trägt man im Pack.
Ein süßes Mehr, willkommen sehr,
Der Überschuss, begehrt noch mehr.

Translation:
The cash register rings, counts swiftly,
A plus emerges, favored by luck.
More income than the burden of cost,
The surplus, it grows in haste.

Whether grain in storage, money in the sack,
What's left over, one carries in a pack.
A sweet 'more', very welcome,
The surplus, desired even more.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin, was bleibt, wenn alles zahlt,
Ein Mehr an Gut, das nicht verhallt.
Im Handel oft als Gewinn bekannt,
Manchmal auch einfach nur im Überfluss genannt.

Was bin ich?
Riddle in English:
I am what remains when all is paid,
An excess of goods, that doesn't fade.
In trade, often known as gain,
Sometimes just called abundance, again and again.

What am I?

Lösung/Solution: Der Überschuss (The Surplus)

🧩 More Information about "Überschuss"

Word Composition:

The word "Überschuss" is composed of:

• über-: Prefix, indicating here a movement beyond a measure or an excess.
• Schuss: Derived from the verb "schießen" (to shoot) in the sense of "overshooting", "shooting beyond the mark". Originally, it might have referred to money being 'shot' over a line to mark an amount, or more generally, something exceeding a certain limit.

Interesting Fact: The term can refer to both tangible (money, goods) and intangible things (energy, information).