der  Wert

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/vɛʁt/

💰 What does 'der Wert' mean?

Der Wert is a masculine noun with several related meanings, often revolving around the idea of significance, importance, or quantification:

• Material or financial value: The price or costliness of something (e.g., der Wert eines Hauses - the value of a house).
• Abstract or ideal value: The significance, importance, or usefulness of something (e.g., der Wert von Freundschaft - the value of friendship, moralische Werte - moral values).
• Mathematical or scientific value: A number or quantity used in a calculation, measurement, or scale (e.g., der pH-Wert - the pH value, der Grenzwert - the limit value).

It's a very common word in German, appearing in many contexts. The basic meaning is often positive, but it can also be used neutrally (as in mathematics).

🧐 Grammar of 'Wert' in Detail

Der Wert is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences 📝

1. Der Wert dieses Schmuckstücks ist sehr hoch.
   (The value of this piece of jewelry is very high.)
2. Wir müssen die traditionellen Werte unserer Gesellschaft schützen.
   (We must protect the traditional values of our society.)
3. Der pH-Wert des Wassers wurde gemessen.
   (The pH value of the water was measured.)
4. Er legt großen Wert auf Pünktlichkeit.
   (He places great importance/value on punctuality.)
5. Die Werte in der Tabelle zeigen einen Anstieg.
   (The values in the table show an increase.)

💡 How to use 'der Wert'?

• Wert legen auf + Accusative: A very common phrase meaning to attach importance to something or to value something. Example: Ich lege Wert auf Ehrlichkeit. (I value honesty.)
• Von Wert sein: Means to be of value, to be important or useful. Example: Seine Ratschläge waren für mich von großem Wert. (His advice was of great value to me.)
• Im Wert steigen/fallen: Usually refers to financial value increasing/decreasing. Example: Die Aktien sind im Wert gefallen. (The shares have fallen in value.)
• Etwas zu schätzen wissen (related concept: Wertschätzung - appreciation): Although not directly using the word 'Wert', the meaning to appreciate something is closely related. It means recognizing the value of something.
• In compound words: 'Wert' forms many compounds, e.g., Wertpapier (security/stock paper), Wertgegenstand (valuable object), Werturteil (value judgment), Selbstwertgefühl (self-esteem), Nennwert (nominal value), Grenzwert (limit value), Messwert (measured value).

The context usually clarifies which type of Wert (material, ideal, mathematical) is meant.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Wert'

Article Aid: Think of things society often assigns high value to, traditionally associated with men: DER Diamant (diamond), DER Goldbarren (gold bar). It helps remember DER Wert (masculine).

Meaning Aid: 'Wert' sounds a bit like 'worth' in English. Imagine something is worth a lot, it has high Wert. Both start with 'W'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Wert

⚠️ Confusing Words

• Wirt (der): Sounds similar, but means 'host' or 'landlord'.
• Wort (das): Another similar-sounding word, means 'word'.
• wert (adjective): The adjective wert (meaning 'worth' or 'valued', e.g., Dieses Buch ist viel wert. - This book is worth a lot.) is often confused with the noun. The noun Wert is capitalized and takes an article (der Wert).

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Was ist der höchste Wert, den ihr kennt?"
Fritzchen: "Das Pausenbrot, Herr Lehrer. Das ist unbezahlbar, wenn man Hunger hat!"

Teacher: "What's the highest value you know?"
Little Fritz: "My lunch sandwich, teacher. It's priceless when you're hungry!"

📜 Poem about Value

Der Wert, mal groß, mal klein,
Kann Gold, kann Freundschaft sein.
Ein Lächeln, eine Zahl,
Sein Maß ist oft 'ne Qual.

Man misst ihn, zählt und wiegt,
Obwohl er oft im Herzen liegt.
Der Wert, den man nicht kaufen kann,
Ist oft der wichtigste für Mann und Frau und Kind sodann.

The value, sometimes big, sometimes small,
Can be gold, can be friendship for all.
A smile, a number clear,
Its measure often brings a tear.

We measure it, count it, weigh with care,
Though often it resides in the heart's lair.
The value that money cannot buy,
Is often most important, way up high.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich kann Geld sein oder Ehre,
Eine Zahl in einer Lehre.
Man legt mich auf Dinge, groß und klein,
Ohne mich will keiner sein.
Manchmal steig' ich, manchmal fall' ich tief.
Ich bin maskulin, das ist kein schiefer Brief.

Was bin ich?
(I can be money or honor,
A number in a doctrine or lore.
People place me on things, big and small,
Without me, nobody wants to stand tall.
Sometimes I rise, sometimes I fall deep.
I am masculine, that's no crooked letter's peep.)

What am I? (Answer: der Wert)

🌐 More about 'Wert'

Word Compositions (Komposita)

'Wert' is a very productive base word for compounds:

• Wertanlage: Investment
• Wertschätzung: Appreciation, esteem
• Selbstwertgefühl: Self-esteem
• Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt.): Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Grundwert: Base value (in calculations)
• Nennwert: Nominal value, face value (e.g., on a coin)

Trivia

The concept of 'Wert' plays a central role in philosophy (Axiologie or value theory) and economics (Werttheorie or theory of value). The question of what gives things their value has been debated for centuries.