der  Unterhalt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʊntɐˌhalt/

💰 What does "der Unterhalt" mean?

The German word der Unterhalt primarily has two meanings, often in legal or financial contexts:

• Financial Support / Maintenance / Alimony 💶: This refers to the resources needed to cover a person's living expenses. Very often, it relates to legal obligations like child support (Kindesunterhalt) or spousal support/alimony (Ehegattenunterhalt) after separation or divorce. It can also generally refer to the livelihood (Lebensunterhalt) one earns or receives.
• Upkeep / Maintenance 🔧: Here, der Unterhalt means the care and servicing of things to maintain their condition. This often applies to buildings (Gebäudeunterhalt), machines (Maschinenunterhalt), or infrastructure (Straßenunterhalt).
• (Rarely) Conversation / Entertainment 🗣️: In older or more formal language, der Unterhalt could also mean a pleasant conversation or entertainment. However, this meaning is less common today, and one would typically use die Unterhaltung instead. ⚠️ Be aware: This usage is rare!

🧐 Grammar of "der Unterhalt" in Detail

The noun Unterhalt is masculine. It is almost exclusively used in the singular, especially for the meanings "financial support" and "upkeep," as these are often uncountable concepts.

Declension Singular

Note: The Genitive ending "-es" and Dative ending "-e" are less common and often sound a bit more formal or dated.

Plural

A plural form (die Unterhalte) formally exists but is hardly ever used for the main meanings (financial support, upkeep). 🚨 You don't talk about "several Unterhalte"; instead, you use descriptive phrases (e.g., "Unterhaltszahlungen" for support payments, "Wartungsarbeiten" for maintenance work). Only in the rare meaning of "conversation" could a plural be conceivable, but even here, "die Unterhaltungen" is the standard plural.

📝 Application Examples

1. (Financial support) Er muss seiner Ex-Frau Unterhalt zahlen.
   (He has to pay his ex-wife alimony/support.)
2. (Financial support) Der Unterhalt für die Kinder wird neu berechnet.
   (The child support will be recalculated.)
3. (Upkeep) Der Unterhalt des alten Schlosses ist sehr teuer.
   (The upkeep of the old castle is very expensive.)
4. (Upkeep) Die Firma ist für den Unterhalt der Maschinen verantwortlich.
   (The company is responsible for the maintenance of the machines.)
5. (Rare meaning: Conversation) Sie führten einen angenehmen Unterhalt am Kaminfeuer. (⚠️ Unusual!)
   (They had a pleasant conversation by the fireside.)

💡 How to use "der Unterhalt"?

The use of der Unterhalt heavily depends on the context:

• In legal and family contexts: The meaning of financial support (alimony/child support) clearly dominates here. You'll hear terms like Unterhaltspflicht (obligation to pay support), Unterhaltsanspruch (claim for support), Unterhalt berechnen (calculate support), Unterhalt zahlen/leisten/bekommen (pay/provide/receive support).
• In technical or real estate contexts: Here, it refers to upkeep/maintenance. People talk about baulicher Unterhalt (structural maintenance), technischer Unterhalt (technical maintenance), Kosten für den Unterhalt (costs for upkeep). Synonyms like Wartung (maintenance) or Instandhaltung (upkeep, maintenance) are often more common and precise here.
• General usage: The term Lebensunterhalt refers to the means needed to live (food, rent, etc.). Example: "Er verdient seinen Unterhalt als Musiker." (He earns his living as a musician.)
• Distinction: Die Unterhaltung usually means conversation, amusement, fun. Der Unterhalt is more serious and refers to necessities (money, maintenance).

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Unterhalt"

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER MAN (the man) who has to pay financial Unterhalt (support), or DER caretaker (der Hausmeister) responsible for the Unterhalt (upkeep) of the building. This helps remember the masculine gender.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone needs support unter (under) a roof (housing, food = Lebensunterhalt) and needs a financial Halt (hold, support) for it. Or: Something must be kept unter (under) constant observation to halten (keep/maintain) it (maintenance/upkeep).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Unterhalt"

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Die Unterhaltung: Usually means conversation, entertainment, fun. Don't confuse them!
• Der Halt: Support, grip, stability. It's part of 'Unterhalt', but has a different meaning on its own.

😄 A little Joke

German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum zahlen Sie Ihrer Frau keinen Unterhalt?" Antwortet der Mann: "Ich habe ihr doch das Haus, das Auto und die Katze überlassen. Was will sie mehr? Sie kann doch die Katze verkaufen!"

English Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Why aren't you paying your wife any support?" The man replies: "But I left her the house, the car, and the cat. What more could she want? She can just sell the cat!"

📜 Poem about Unterhalt

German:
Der Unterhalt, ein ernstes Wort,
mal hier gefordert, mal als Hort.
Für Kinder, Haus und auch den Gatten,
manchmal bleibt's nur bei Debatten.
Doch auch die Brücke, alt und grau,
braucht Unterhalt, das weiß man genau.
Damit sie hält und nicht zerfällt,
kostet's eben manchmal Geld.

English Translation:
Support, a serious word you hear,
Sometimes demanded, sometimes held dear.
For kids, the house, a spouse maybe,
Sometimes just talk, endlessly.
But also the bridge, old and grey,
Needs upkeep, that's known today.
So it holds strong and doesn't break,
It simply costs money, for goodness sake.

🧩 Riddle

German:
Ich kann Geld sein, das fließt von Hand zu Hand,
damit jemand leben kann im Land.
Ich kann auch Pflege sein für Stein und Stahl,
damit nichts bricht beim nächsten Mal.
Mal bin ich Pflicht, mal bin ich Last,
man spricht von mir fast ohne Rast,
wenn Paare sich nicht mehr verstehen,
oder wenn Maschinen nicht mehr gehen.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I can be money flowing hand to hand,
so someone can make a living in the land.
I can be care for stone and steel,
so nothing breaks with the next ordeal.
Sometimes I'm duty, sometimes a burden's weight,
People talk about me early and late,
When couples no longer see eye to eye,
Or when machines simply cease to comply.

What am I?
Solution: Der Unterhalt

🧐 Other Interesting Information

Word Composition:

The word Unterhalt is composed of:

• unter-: This prefix can have various meanings, here in the sense of "during," "among," or "providing a basis."
• Halt: This refers to support, firmness, stability, hold.

Combined, it suggests the idea of keeping something going, providing a foundation, whether financially or materially.

Legal Significance:

The term Unterhalt is central to German family law (found in the German Civil Code - BGB §§ 1361, 1569 ff., 1601 ff.). The amount and duration of support payments are frequent subjects of legal disputes.