der
Verleih
🎬 What does 'der Verleih' mean?
The noun der Verleih primarily refers to two things:
- The act of lending or renting out: The temporary provision of an item, usually for a fee, but sometimes for free. Example: Der Verleih von Werkzeugen ist praktisch. (The rental of tools is practical.)
- The rental business or place: A shop, agency, or institution that rents out items. Examples: Ich gehe zum Videoverleih. (I'm going to the video rental store.), Der Skiverleih ist neben der Piste. (The ski rental is next to the slope.)
It is derived from the verb verleihen (to lend out, to rent out).
🧐 Grammar Check: Der Verleih
Der Verleih is a masculine noun. It is generally used only in the singular when referring to the act of lending. When referring to a business, a plural form (die Verleihe) is theoretically possible but very uncommon. Usually, one talks about multiple Verleihgeschäfte (rental shops) or Verleihstationen (rental stations).
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Verleih |
| Genitive | des | Verleih(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Verleih |
| Accusative | den | Verleih |
Plural (rare)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verleihe |
| Genitive | der | Verleihe |
| Dative | den | Verleihen |
| Accusative | die | Verleihe |
Example Sentences
- Der Verleih von E-Bikes boomt im Sommer. (The rental of e-bikes is booming in summer. - refers to the act)
- Wo ist der nächste Skiverleih? (Where is the nearest ski rental shop? - refers to the place)
- Ich arbeite im Kostümverleih des Theaters. (I work in the theatre's costume rental department. - refers to the place/department)
- Der Verleih des Buches kostet 2 Euro pro Woche. (The rental of the book costs 2 euros per week. - refers to the act/service)
💡 How to Use 'Verleih'
Der Verleih is often used in compound words to specify the type of business or the items being rented out:
- Filmverleih / Videoverleih: Film/video rental (historically DVDs/videos, now more in streaming contexts or specialized archives)
- Skiverleih: Ski rental
- Autoverleih / Autovermietung: Car rental (here, Vermietung is more common)
- Werkzeugverleih: Tool rental
- Kostümverleih: Costume rental
- Fahrradverleih: Bicycle rental
Context: Verleih is mostly used in commercial or organized contexts. When a private person lends something, you'd typically say "Ich leihe dir mein Buch" (I'll lend you my book), not "Ich mache einen Buchverleih".
Distinction from similar words:
- Ausleihe (die): Very similar, often used synonymously, especially in libraries (die Buchausleihe - book lending/borrowing). Can also mean borrowing (from the borrower's perspective).
- Vermietung (die): Often used for larger or more expensive items (cars, apartments) and longer periods. The distinction can be blurry.
- Leihe (die): Refers more to the borrowed item itself (eine Leihgabe - an item on loan) or the act of lending in a private context.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Manager (a male manager, der Mann) running der Skiverleih. This helps remember the masculine article der.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains "leih", related to English "lend". The prefix "Ver-" often implies giving something away or a commercial transaction (like in verkaufen - to sell). Imagine someone saying: "I very much will leih (lend) you this." → Verleih (rental/lending service).
↔️ Opposites and Alternatives for Verleih
Synonyms
- Ausleihe (die): Lending/borrowing service, often synonymous, especially for libraries.
- Vermietung (die): Rental, similar, often for more expensive items or real estate.
- Verleihgeschäft (das): Rental shop/business, emphasizes the place.
- Verleihstation (die): Rental station, often for automated systems (e.g., bike rentals).
Similar Words
- Verleihen (verb): To lend out, to rent out. Der Verleih is the corresponding noun.
- Leihen (verb): Can mean both to borrow (take) and to lend (give), depending on context.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Kunde im Werkzeugverleih: "Haben Sie einen Hammer für mich?"
Antwortet der Angestellte: "Klar, für welchen Nagel denn?"
Kunde: "Für meinen Kopf. Ich habe vergessen, die Bohrmaschine gestern zurückzubringen!"
Translation:
A customer asks at the tool rental: "Do you have a hammer for me?"
The employee replies: "Sure, for which nail?"
Customer: "For my head. I forgot to return the drill yesterday!"
📜 Poem about Rental
Im Verleih, da gibt es Sachen,
die das Leben leichter machen.
Ski und Rad und Film und Buch,
hol sie dir, nur für Besuch.
Gibst du's wieder, ist es fein,
so funktioniert der Verleih – ungemein!
Translation:
In the rental shop, there are things,
That make life easier, it brings.
Skis and bikes and films and books,
Get them just for temporary looks.
When you return them, it's just fine,
That's how der Verleih works – quite divine!
❓ Little Riddle
Ich habe viele Dinge, doch mir gehört fast keins.
Du zahlst, um sie zu nutzen, mal groß und mal ganz klein.
Von Filmen bis zu Fahrrädern, mein Angebot ist breit.
Was bin ich für ein Laden, stets für dich bereit?
I have many things, but own almost none.
You pay to use them, big tasks or small ones done.
From movies to bicycles, my range is wide.
What kind of shop am I, always open inside?
Solution: Der Verleih (The rental shop/service)
🧩 Other Details
Word Composition:
The word "Verleih" is composed of:
- ver-: A prefix that often indicates an action of giving away or a commercial activity (as in verkaufen - to sell, vermieten - to rent out).
- Leih: The stem of the verb leihen (to lend/borrow).
Cultural Note: Videotheken (Videoverleihe / video rental stores) were significant social and cultural hubs in Germany before the rise of streaming services.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verleih?
The German word Verleih is masculine. The correct article is der. So, you say der Verleih.