der  Verdienst

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈdɪnst/

💰 What does "der Verdienst" mean?

The word der Verdienst mainly has two meanings in German:

1. Earnings / Income / Wages: The money received for work performed. This is the most common meaning in everyday life.

   • Example: Sein monatlicher Verdienst ist recht hoch. (His monthly earnings are quite high.)

2. Merit / Credit / Achievement: That which brings someone honor or recognition; a praiseworthy deed or accomplishment. This meaning is somewhat more formal.

   • Example: Es ist sein Verdienst, dass das Projekt gerettet wurde. (It is to his credit that the project was saved.)

🚨 Caution: Do not confuse it with the verb verdienen (to earn money, to deserve something).

🧐 Grammar of 'der Verdienst' in Detail

Der Verdienst is a masculine noun. Its declension is as follows:

💡 Example Sentences

• Nominative (Earnings): Der Verdienst für diese Arbeit ist angemessen. (The earnings for this work are appropriate.)
• Genitive (Merit): Die Anerkennung des Verdienstes erfolgte öffentlich. (The recognition of the merit took place publicly.)
• Dative (Earnings): Mit dem Verdienst kann er gut leben. (He can live well on the earnings.)
• Accusative (Merit): Man würdigte den Verdienst des Wissenschaftlers. (They acknowledged the scientist's merit.)
• Plural (Merit): Ihre zahlreichen Verdienste um die Firma sind unbestritten. (Her numerous merits/contributions to the company are undisputed.)

🗣️ How to use "der Verdienst"

Usage heavily depends on the intended meaning:

Context: Earnings / Income

In this context, people often speak of the monatlicher (monthly), jährlicher (annual), or durchschnittlicher (average) Verdienst. It's a general term for earned income.

• Comparison:
  • Gehalt: Often used for salaried employees, usually a fixed monthly amount.
  • Lohn: Often used for wage earners, frequently calculated by hours or piecework.
  • Verdienst: Can encompass both, often used for self-employed individuals or as a general term.
• Typical phrases: "sich einen guten Verdienst sichern" (to secure good earnings), "der Verdienst ist steuerpflichtig" (the earnings are taxable).

Context: Merit / Achievement

This meaning is more formal and often used in connection with special achievements, contributions, or accomplishments.

• Typical phrases: "jemandes Verdienste würdigen" (to acknowledge someone's merits), "es ist dein Verdienst, dass..." (it is to your credit that...), "sich Verdienste erwerben um..." (to gain merit for... / render services to...).
• The plural "die Verdienste" almost exclusively refers to this meaning.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Verdienst"

Article Mnemonic (der)

Think of der Lohn (the wage) or der Gewinn (the profit). Both are masculine and often relate to what one has verdient (earned). Or: Der Mann (the man) hat einen Verdienst (has earnings/merit).

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine you try (versuchst) to serve (dienen): For that, you get money (Verdienst 1 - Earnings). If you serve particularly well, you acquire recognition (Verdienst 2 - Merit).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• verdienen (verb): The verb from which "der Verdienst" is derived. Means to earn money or to deserve something. (Ich verdiene Geld. - I earn money. Du hast eine Pause verdient. - You have deserved a break.)
• Dienst (der): Refers to service, duty, or employment. (Er ist im Dienst. - He is on duty.)

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Was erwarten Sie denn für einen Anfangsverdienst?" Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "So um die 10.000 Euro im Monat." Der Chef: "Sind Sie verrückt?" Der Mitarbeiter: "Wieso? Ist verrückt sein hier ein besonderer Verdienst?"

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "What starting salary (Anfangsverdienst) are you expecting?" The employee answers: "Around 10,000 Euros a month." The boss: "Are you crazy?" The employee: "Why? Is being crazy a special merit (besonderer Verdienst) here?"

📜 Poem about Verdienst

Für Arbeit, Müh' und Fleiß,
\gibt's einen Lohn, den jeder weiß.
\Der Verdienst, mal groß, mal klein,
\soll Linderung der Sorgen sein.

Doch auch die Tat, die Gutes schafft,
\hat einen Wert, gibt Mut und Kraft.
\Ein stiller Dank, ein Lob geschwind,
\ist auch Verdienst, wohl jedem Kind.

Translation:
For work, effort, and diligence,
here's a wage, as everyone knows since.
\The earnings, sometimes big, sometimes small,
\should be an easing of worries for all.

But also the deed that creates good,
\has value, gives courage and fortitude.
\A quiet thanks, a praise swift and kind,
\is also merit, for every child's mind.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich kann aus Münzen und Scheinen bestehen,
\oder als Ehre vor dir stehen.
\Für Arbeit kriegst du mich zumeist,
\doch auch für Leistung werd' ich gepreist.

\Was bin ich, mit Artikel 'der'?

Translation:
I can consist of coins and bills,
\or stand before you as honor fulfills.
\For work, you mostly get me,
ut also for achievement, I'm praised, you see.

\What am I, with the article 'der'?

Solution: der Verdienst

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation

Der Verdienst is a noun derived from the verb verdienen (to earn/deserve). It's a substantivization of the verb stem with a slight modification, which is historically based (similar to Verlust from verlieren - loss from to lose, Gewinn from gewinnen - gain/profit from to win).

Cultural Aspects

The concept of "gerechter Verdienst" (just/fair earnings/merit) plays an important role in social and economic discussions in Germany, both in the sense of fair wages and in the sense of recognizing achievements.