der
Wettbewerb
🏆 What Exactly is a 'Wettbewerb'?
Der Wettbewerb (competition, contest) describes a situation or event where multiple people, groups, or organizations strive to achieve a specific goal that often only one or a few can reach. It's about being better or performing more than the other participants.
- In sports: A `Wettkampf` (*match, contest*), a `Turnier` (*tournament*), or a `Rennen` (*race*) (e.g., a `Laufwettbewerb` - *running competition*, a `Gesangswettbewerb` - *singing contest*).
- In business/economics: The `Konkurrenz` (*competition*) between companies in a market for customers, market share, or resources (e.g., `der Wettbewerb` *between supermarket chains*).
- In education: Performance comparisons between students or institutions (e.g., a `Mathematikwettbewerb` - *math competition*).
The word emphasizes the aspect of competing (`sich messen`) and striving for success in comparison to others.
🧐 Grammar of 'der Wettbewerb' in Detail
The noun „Wettbewerb“ is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Wettbewerb |
| Genitive | des | Wettbewerb(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Wettbewerb(e) |
| Accusative | den | Wettbewerb |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Wettbewerbe |
| Genitive | der | Wettbewerbe |
| Dative | den | Wettbewerben |
| Accusative | die | Wettbewerbe |
Example Sentences
- Der Wettbewerb im Einzelhandel ist sehr hart. (The competition in retail is very fierce.)
- Wir haben an einem internationalen Architekturwettbewerb teilgenommen. (We participated in an international architecture competition.)
- Die Ergebnisse des Wettbewerbs werden morgen bekannt gegeben. (The results of the competition will be announced tomorrow.)
- Viele Unternehmen fürchten den globalen Wettbewerb. (Many companies fear global competition.)
- Die Schule organisiert jedes Jahr verschiedene Wettbewerbe für die Schüler. (The school organizes various competitions for the students every year.)
💡 How to Use 'Wettbewerb'?
'Wettbewerb' is used in many contexts, often with specific adjectives or in set phrases:
- Sportlicher Wettbewerb: Refers to competitions in sports.
- Wirtschaftlicher Wettbewerb / Freier Wettbewerb: Refers to market competition.
- Fairer / Unfairer Wettbewerb: Evaluates the conditions of the competition (fair/unfair competition).
- Am Wettbewerb teilnehmen: To take part in a competition or tender.
- Im Wettbewerb stehen mit: To be in competition with someone or something.
- Sich dem Wettbewerb stellen: To face the competition.
Difference from 'Konkurrenz': While 'Wettbewerb' often emphasizes the event or the process of competing, 'Konkurrenz' can refer to both the process and the rivals (the competitors - `die Konkurrenten`). 'Wettbewerb' often sounds a bit more formal or organized than 'Konkurrenz'.
🚨 Note: The verb „wettbewerben“ exists but is very rare and usually replaced by „konkurrieren“ (to compete) or „im Wettbewerb stehen“ (to be in competition).
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Wettbewerb'
For the article 'der': Think of DER Sieger (the male winner) emerging from the WETTBEWERB.
For the meaning: Imagine making a BET (`Wett-`) and APPLYING (`-bewerb`, related to `bewerben` - to apply) for first place – that's a Wettbewerb (competition)!
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Words):
- Wettkampf: (Very similar, often in a sports context - contest, match)
- Konkurrenz: (Can mean the process or the rivals, often economic - competition, rivalry)
- Ausscheidung: (A competition where participants are eliminated - elimination round, qualifier)
- Meisterschaft: (A particularly important competition to determine the best - championship)
- Turnier: (A series of contests - tournament)
- Preisausschreiben: (A competition, often involving a draw or simple task - contest, prize draw)
Antonyms (Opposite Words):
- Zusammenarbeit: (Working together on a goal - cooperation, collaboration)
- Kooperation: (Similar to Zusammenarbeit - cooperation)
- Monopol: (Economics: situation without competition - monopoly)
- Absprache: (Secret agreement to avoid competition - collusion, arrangement)
- Einigkeit: (State of agreement, opposite of rivalry - unity, accord)
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words:
- Bewerbung: (The application you submit, e.g., to enter a competition or get a job)
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Schnecken nie am 100-Meter-Lauf-Wettbewerb teil?
... Weil sie Angst vor dem Startschuss haben und sich sofort wieder ins Haus zurückziehen! 🐌
(Why do snails never take part in the 100-meter dash competition?
... Because they're afraid of the starting gun and immediately retreat back into their shells!)
✍️ Poem about Competition
Im großen Saal, beim hellen Licht,
beginnt der Wettbewerb, man spricht
von Ehrgeiz, Können und Applaus,
wer trägt den Sieg am End' nach Haus?
Ob Sport, ob Kunst, ob Wissensmacht,
es wird gekämpft, bei Tag und Nacht.
Der Wettbewerb spornt alle an,
zu zeigen, was man leisten kann.
(In the grand hall, in bright light,
the competition begins, they speak
of ambition, skill, and applause,
who will take victory home in the end?
Whether sport, or art, or power of knowledge,
they fight, by day and night.
The competition spurs everyone on,
to show what they can achieve.)
🤔 A Little Riddle
Ich habe Regeln, aber kein Gesetz.
Ich habe Teilnehmer, aber keine Bürger.
Ich habe Sieger und Verlierer, aber keinen Krieg.
Manchmal geht es um Ruhm, manchmal um Geld, manchmal nur um Spaß.
Was bin ich? ... Der Wettbewerb
(I have rules, but no law.
I have participants, but no citizens.
I have winners and losers, but no war.
Sometimes it's about fame, sometimes money, sometimes just fun.
What am I?
... The competition / Der Wettbewerb)
🧩 Further Insights
Word Composition:
The word „Wettbewerb“ is composed of:
- Wette: In the sense of „Wetteifern“ (to compete, vie), related to betting or vying.
- Bewerb: An older or regional form related to „bewerben“ (to apply), here expressing the effort or striving for something.
Related Terms:
- wettbewerbsfähig: (Adjective: able to compete - competitive)
- Wettbewerbsfähigkeit: (Noun: the quality of being competitive - competitiveness)
- Wettbewerbsvorteil: (An advantage over competitors - competitive advantage)
- Wettbewerbsrecht: (Legal field regulating competition - competition law)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Wettbewerb?
The noun 'Wettbewerb' is masculine. The correct article is always der Wettbewerb.