die
Abfindung
💰 What does 'die Abfindung' mean?
Die Abfindung (noun, feminine) refers to a one-time payment that serves as compensation or settlement for a legal claim, a waiver, or a disadvantage suffered. It is often paid in labour law (Arbeitsrecht) upon termination of an employment relationship (Entlassungsabfindung - severance pay), but can also occur in other legal or economic contexts (e.g., upon termination of a lease agreement, divorce, or to settle a dispute).
It is typically a sum paid instead of ongoing benefits or to compensate for future claims. Its purpose is to provide a final settlement (endgültiger Ausgleich).
⚠️ Attention: An Abfindung is not the same as Gehalt (salary) or Lohn (wage). It's a special payment under specific circumstances.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar & Declension: Getting 'die Abfindung' right
The word 'Abfindung' is a feminine noun. The article is 'die'. Like most feminine nouns ending in '-ung', it is feminine.
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Abfindung |
| Genitive | der | Abfindung |
| Dative | der | Abfindung |
| Accusative | die | Abfindung |
Plural Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Abfindungen |
| Genitive | der | Abfindungen |
| Dative | den | Abfindungen |
| Accusative | die | Abfindungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Arbeitnehmer erhielt nach seiner Kündigung eine hohe Abfindung.
(The employee received a high severance payment after his termination.) - Sie einigten sich vor Gericht auf eine Abfindung zur Beilegung des Streits.
(They agreed on a settlement payment in court to resolve the dispute.) - Die Höhe der Abfindung hängt oft von der Dauer der Betriebszugehörigkeit ab.
(The amount of the severance pay often depends on the length of service with the company.) - Im Scheidungsverfahren wurde auch über eine mögliche Abfindung gesprochen.
(In the divorce proceedings, a possible settlement payment was also discussed.)
💡 Usage in Context: When to use Abfindung?
The term 'Abfindung' is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in the fields of law (Recht), business (Wirtschaft), and employment (Arbeit).
- Labour Law (Arbeitsrecht): Most commonly used in connection with the termination of employment relationships, often as a result of a Aufhebungsvertrag (mutual termination agreement) or a Kündigungsschutzprozess (unfair dismissal lawsuit).
- Contract Law (Vertragsrecht): In cases of early termination of contracts (e.g., lease, rental, or license agreements), an Abfindung may be agreed upon to compensate for lost profits or disadvantages.
- Company Law (Gesellschaftsrecht): When a partner leaves a company.
- Inheritance/Family Law (Erbrecht/Familienrecht): Sometimes used to settle inheritance or alimony claims.
Comparison:
- Entschädigung: A more general term for compensation payments for damages or disadvantages. An Abfindung is a specific type of Entschädigung.
- Gehalt/Lohn: Regular payment for work performed. An Abfindung is a one-time special payment upon termination or waiver.
- Ausgleichszahlung: Similar to Abfindung, often used synonymously, but can also be broader in meaning (balancing payment).
🧠 Mnemonics for Abfindung
Article 'die': Words ending in '-ung' in German are almost always feminine ('die'). Think: die Kündigung (the termination) often leads to die Abfindung (the severance pay). Both use 'die'.
Meaning: Imagine someone is being 'paid off' or 'settled with'. You 'find' (finden) a sum of money to make them go 'away' or 'off' (ab) – e.g., away from a job or a claim. You pay them to leave and make no further demands. This is the essence of an Abfindung.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Entschädigung: (Compensation) Often synonymous, but broader (general compensation for damages).
- Ausgleichszahlung: (Settlement payment, compensation payment) Very similar, emphasizes the balancing aspect.
- Abstandszahlung: (Payment for waiver/renunciation) Emphasizes payment for 'distance' (giving something up).
- Einmalzahlung: (One-time payment) Describes the payment method, not necessarily the reason.
- (In labour law:) Entlassungsentschädigung: (Severance pay, dismissal compensation)
Antonyms (Opposites or Unrelated)
- Forderung: (Claim, demand) A right to something (money, service), the opposite of a payment received as settlement.
- Gehalt/Lohn: (Salary/Wage) Regular payment for work, not a one-off payment for termination/waiver.
- Schulden: (Debts) Obligation to pay, not receiving a payment.
- Strafe/Bußgeld: (Penalty/Fine) Payment for misconduct, not compensation.
⚠️ Similar but Misleading Words
- Abfindungsguthaben: (Severance fund balance) Refers specifically to balances in the context of company pension schemes.
- Findung: (Finding, discovery) The process of finding (e.g., Wahrheitsfindung - fact-finding).
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den Mitarbeiter: "Müller, was würden Sie sagen, wenn ich Ihnen eine großzügige Abfindung anbiete, damit Sie sofort gehen?"
Müller: "Ich würde fragen: Wie großzügig? Und wo ist der Haken? Ach, und kann ich das schriftlich haben?"
Translation:
The boss asks the employee: "Miller, what would you say if I offered you a generous severance package to leave immediately?"
Miller: "I'd ask: How generous? And what's the catch? Oh, and can I have that in writing?"
📜 Poem about Abfindung
Der Abschied naht, die Zeit ist um,
Man reicht die Hand, noch etwas stumm.
Doch für den Schnitt, den neuen Pfad,
Gibt's Geld als Trost, ganz akkurat.
Die Abfindung, ein Batzen schwer,
Macht den Verlust vielleicht nicht leer,
Doch hilft sie doch, den Start zu wagen,
An neuen Ufern, ohne Klagen.
Translation:
The farewell nears, the time is up,
A hand is offered, still somewhat mum.
But for the cut, the new path sought,
There's money given, comfort brought.
The settlement, a heavy sum,
May not make the loss feel numb,
But still, it helps to start anew,
On different shores, complaints are few.
❓ Riddle
Ich bin kein Lohn, doch werd' gezahlt,
Wenn ein Vertrag zu Ende strahlt.
Mal Trost, mal Ausgleich, mal ein Muss,
Ein letzter finanzieller Kuss.
Wer bin ich, oft mit 'die' benannt,
Im Arbeitsrecht wohlbekannt?
Translation:
I'm not a wage, but I get paid,
When a contract's end has been displayed.
Sometimes solace, balance, or a must,
A final financial kiss, you trust.
Who am I, often named with 'die',
Well-known in labour law thereby?
Solution: die Abfindung
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
The word 'Abfindung' is composed of:
- Prefix 'ab-': Often indicates separation, termination, or removal.
- Stem 'find-': From the verb 'finden' (to find).
- Suffix '-ung': Forms nouns from verbs, usually feminine, often denoting a process or its result.
The basic meaning derives from the verb 'abfinden', which means to compensate or satisfy someone (often with a payment) so that they waive further claims or accept a certain situation.
Interesting Fact: The amount of an Abfindung in German labour law is generally not fixed by law (except in rare cases like §1a KSchG - German Protection Against Dismissal Act), but is subject to negotiation or regulated in Sozialpläne (social compensation plans). A common rule of thumb is often half to one full gross monthly salary per year of service.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Abfindung?
The correct article for Abfindung is die. So, you say die Abfindung (feminine). Example: Die Abfindung wurde pünktlich gezahlt. (The severance pay was paid on time.)