der / das  Verdienst

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈdɪnst/

📜 Unpacking 'Verdienst': What Does It Mean?

The German word Verdienst is an interesting case as it exists with two different articles, each carrying a distinct meaning:

⚠️ Caution: The distinction is important, as confusing the articles can lead to misunderstandings!

🧐 'Verdienst' Under the Microscope: Grammar Deep Dive

The declension of "Verdienst" depends on its respective article. Although the plural form is the same for both ("die Verdienste"), the meaning differs based on context.

Example Sentences 📝

For "der Verdienst" (earnings):

1. Sein monatlicher Verdienst ist sehr hoch. (His monthly earnings are very high.)
2. Die Gewerkschaft fordert höhere Verdienste für die Angestellten. (The union demands higher earnings for the employees.)

For "das Verdienst" (merit/achievement):

1. Es ist dein alleiniges Verdienst, dass wir gewonnen haben. (It is solely to your credit that we won.)
2. Ihre zahlreichen Verdienste für die Gemeinschaft wurden geehrt. (Her numerous merits/services to the community were honored.)

💡 Putting 'Verdienst' to Use: When to Say What

Correctly using der Verdienst and das Verdienst is crucial for clear communication in German.

Usage of der Verdienst (earnings)

This term is primarily used in economic and professional contexts. It describes the remuneration for work performed.

• Typical contexts: Salary negotiations (Gehaltsverhandlungen), employment contracts (Arbeitsverträge), economic analyses (wirtschaftliche Analysen), discussions about income disparities (Einkommensunterschiede).
• Comparable words: Einkommen (income - more general), Lohn (wage - more for manual laborers, often hourly), Gehalt (salary - more for employees, often monthly), Salär (upscale term for salary), Entlohnung (remuneration - general term for payment).
• One often speaks of "guter Verdienst" (good earnings) or "geringer Verdienst" (low earnings).

Usage of das Verdienst (merit/achievement)

This term is used to highlight a special achievement, a positive contribution, or a commendable quality. It's about ideal value, not primarily money.

• Typical contexts: Tributes (Würdigungen), praise (Lob), awards (Auszeichnungen), historical evaluations (historische Bewertungen), describing positive contributions to a project or cause.
• Comparable words: Leistung (achievement), Errungenschaft (accomplishment), Verdienstlichkeit (meritoriousness - more abstract), Anerkennung (recognition), Pluspunkt (plus point/advantage).
• Often found in phrases like "sich Verdienste erwerben um..." (to earn merits for...) or "jemandes Verdienst anerkennen" (to acknowledge someone's merit).
• A Verdienstkreuz (Cross of Merit) is an award for special merits/services.

Context usually clarifies which meaning is intended, but knowing the articles is fundamental.

🧠 Making 'der' and 'das Verdienst' Stick!

For articles and meanings:

"DER Euro (masculine currency in German perception) is for der Verdienst (the earnings you get).
DAS great deed (neuter concept like 'das Werk' - the work) was das Verdienst (the merit you get)."

For the general meaning (from the verb "verdienen"):

"If you serve (dienen) well, you will 'ver-dienen' (earn/deserve): either money (der Verdienst) or praise (das Verdienst)."

🔄 More Than Just 'Verdienst': Similar and Opposite Words

🚨 Be careful with similar words: The word "Dienst" (der Dienst - e.g., military service, customer service) is related (from "dienen" - to serve), but means "service," "duty," or "job/post" rather than directly income or merit in the sense of Verdienst.

😂 Time for a Laugh: A 'Verdienst' Joke

German:

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Was erwarten Sie denn für einen Verdienst?"

Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Ach, so um die 5000 Euro."

Chef: "Ist gebongt."

Mitarbeiter: "Netto oder brutto?"

Chef: "Das ist Ihr Problem. Ich meinte meinen Verdienst an Ihnen!" 😉

English Translation:

The boss asks the new employee: "What kind of earnings (Verdienst) are you expecting?"

The employee replies: "Oh, around 5000 Euros."

Boss: "Done deal."

Employee: "Net or gross?"

Boss: "That's your problem. I meant my profit/gain (Verdienst) from you!" 😉

🖋️ 'Verdienst' in Verse

German Original:

Der Verdienst, er kommt als Lohn,
für Müh' und Fleiß, auf eig'nem Thron.
Man zählt ihn gern, am End' vom Tag,
was harte Arbeit bringen mag.
Ein Schein so bunt, ein Klang so rein,
so soll der gute Verdienst sein.

Das Verdienst, es strahlt so hell,
wenn Tatkraft wirkt und Mut zur Stell'.
Nicht Gold allein, doch Ehre rein,
kann wahres, großes Verdienst sein.
Ein Lob so warm, ein Dank so tief,
für alles Gute, das man schuf.

English Translation:

The earnings, they come as pay,
For toil and diligence, in their own way.
One gladly counts them, at end of day,
What hard work's effort may convey.
A note so bright, a sound so clear,
So should good earnings then appear.

The merit, it shines so bright,
When deeds take action, with courage and might.
Not gold alone, but honor pure and clean,
Can true and great merit be seen.
A praise so warm, a thanks so deep,
For all the good that one did reap (create).

🧩 Riddle Me This: 'Verdienst' Edition

German Original:

Ich kann männlich sein und fülle deinen Beutel,
ich kann sächlich sein und zolle deinem Tun Tribut.
Der eine macht dich reich an Geld,
der andere ehrt, was deine Hand gebaut.

Was bin ich, mit zwei Gesichtern in der Welt,
mal schwer verdient, mal leicht als Gut?

English Translation:

I can be masculine and fill your purse,
I can be neuter and pay tribute to your deeds.
One makes you rich in money,
The other honors what your hand has built.

What am I, with two faces in the world,
Sometimes hard-earned, sometimes a gentle good?

Answer: Der/Das Verdienst (The earning/The merit)

🤓 Tidbits and Trivia about 'Verdienst'

Word Composition

The word "Verdienst" is derived from the verb verdienen. The prefix "ver-" can indicate completion or achievement (perfective aspect) or an intensification. "Dienen" originally means "to be of service," "to be useful." Thus, "verdienen" means to obtain something (money) through service or work, or to be worthy of something (recognition).

Order of Merit (Verdienstorden)

A well-known application of "das Verdienst" is the Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany), often called Bundesverdienstkreuz. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, social, or intellectual fields – that is, for special merits to the country. This clearly relates to "das Verdienst" (merit).

Sayings and Idioms

• "Sich Verdienste erwerben um etwas/jemanden." (To earn merits for something/someone; to make a valuable contribution.)
• "Das ist nicht dein Verdienst." (That's not to your credit / You didn't achieve that.)