die / der  Arbeitslose

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʁbaɪtsˌloːzə/

🤔 What does "Arbeitslose" mean?

The word Arbeitslose is a *substantivized adjective*, derived from arbeitslos (*unemployed*). It refers to a person who is not engaged in paid employment but is available to the labour market.

Because it's a *substantivized adjective*, the article depends on the gender of the person:

• der Arbeitslose: Refers to a male unemployed person.
• die Arbeitslose: Refers to a female unemployed person.

The plural is die Arbeitslosen, referring to multiple unemployed people (*male, female, or mixed*).

🚨 Attention: The declension follows the rules for adjectives, not nouns. It depends on whether a definite article, indefinite article, or no article precedes it (*weak, mixed, strong declension*).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Declension of Arbeitslose

Since "Arbeitslose" is a *substantivized adjective*, it is declined like an adjective. The declension depends on the preceding article word.

Masculine Declension: der Arbeitslose (the unemployed man)

Feminine Declension: die Arbeitslose (the unemployed woman)

Plural Declension: die Arbeitslosen (the unemployed people)

Example Sentences 📝

1. Der Arbeitslose sucht seit Monaten eine neue Stelle.
   (The unemployed man has been looking for a new job for months.)
2. Das Jobcenter unterstützt die Arbeitslose bei der Weiterbildung.
   (The job center supports the unemployed woman with further training.)
3. Die Regierung plant Maßnahmen zur Unterstützung der Arbeitslosen.
   (The government is planning measures to support the unemployed.)
4. Als Arbeitsloser hat man oft finanzielle Sorgen. (strong decl., masc.)
   (As an unemployed person (male), one often has financial worries.)
5. Sie sprach mit einer Arbeitslosen über ihre Situation. (mixed decl., fem.)
   (She spoke with an unemployed woman about her situation.)

💬 Everyday Usage

"Arbeitslose(r)" is frequently used in *official contexts, news reports, statistics*, and *discussions about the job market and social policy*.

• Context: *Economy, politics, social issues, administration* (e.g., Agentur für Arbeit - Job Agency).
• Formality: Tends to be *neutral to formal*. In direct conversation, it might be perceived as *stigmatizing* depending on the tone and situation.
• Alternatives: Sometimes more neutral or active terms like "Stellensuchende(r)" (*job seeker*) or "Jobsuchende(r)" (*job seeker*, more colloquial) are preferred to focus on the person's efforts. "Erwerbslose(r)" (*person without gainful employment*) is another term often used in statistics.
• Importance: The word plays a central role in reporting on the economic situation and social security systems in German-speaking countries.

💡 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the articles: *Think of the person:* Der Mann (*the man*) is arbeitslos, die Frau (*the woman*) is arbeitslos. *Easy!*

For the meaning: *Break down the word:* Arbeit (*work*) + los (*less/without*). Someone who is 'arbeits-los' is without work.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Arbeitgeber: *Employer* (the one who gives work).
• Arbeitnehmer: *Employee* (the one who takes work).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Personaler den Bewerber: "Was waren Ihre bisher größten Erfolge?"
Antwortet der Arbeitslose: "Dass Sie mich zu diesem Gespräch eingeladen haben!"

Translation:
The HR manager asks the applicant: "What have been your biggest successes so far?"
The unemployed person answers: "That you invited me to this interview!"

📜 Poem about the Unemployed

Der Tag beginnt, die Zeit verrinnt,
Ein Arbeitsloser, der neu beginnt.
Die Suche schwer, das Ziel noch fern,
Doch Hoffnung keimt, ein heller Stern.

Die Arbeitslose, stark und klug,
Schreibt Brief um Brief, genug ist nie genug.
Sie kämpft sich durch, mit Mut und Kraft,
Bis neue Arbeit ist geschafft.

Translation:
The day begins, time slips away,
An unemployed man starting anew today.
The search is hard, the goal still far,
But hope sprouts, a bright star.

The unemployed woman, strong and smart,
Writes letter after letter, playing her part.
She fights her way through, with courage and might,
Until new work is brought to light.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe Zeit, doch oft kein Geld,
Bin auf der Suche in der Arbeitswelt.
Mal heiß' ich "der", mal heiß' ich "die",
Wer oder was, das bin denn i?

Translation:
I have time, but often no money,
I'm searching in the world of work, you see.
Sometimes I'm called "der", sometimes "die",
Who or what could I possibly be?

Solution: Der/Die Arbeitslose (*The unemployed person*)

🌐 Other Information

Word Composition:

• Arbeit: *work, job, labour*
• -s-: *linking 's'* (connecting sound)
• los: *suffix meaning 'without', 'free of', '-less'*

The term "Arbeitslose(r)" (*unemployed person*) is deeply embedded in social and economic discussions in German-speaking countries. The unemployment rate (*die Arbeitslosenquote*) is a key indicator of a country's economic health.