die
Einnahmequelle
💰 What exactly is an 'Einnahmequelle'?
Die Einnahmequelle (noun, feminine) refers to a source of income or revenue stream. It's the origin from which money or other economic benefits regularly flow. This could be a main job or side hustle, an investment, rental income, or government benefits.
Since the word uses the article "die", it is clearly feminine. There are no other articles for this word. 🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with 'Ausgabenquelle' (source of expenditure), although this word is rarely used.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Einnahmequelle
The noun 'Einnahmequelle' is feminine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Einnahmequelle |
| Genitive | der | Einnahmequelle |
| Dative | der | Einnahmequelle |
| Accusative | die | Einnahmequelle |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Einnahmequellen |
| Genitive | der | Einnahmequellen |
| Dative | den | Einnahmequellen |
| Accusative | die | Einnahmequellen |
Example Sentences
- Seine Haupt-Einnahmequelle ist sein Gehalt als Angestellter.
His main source of income is his salary as an employee. - Sie sucht nach zusätzlichen Einnahmequellen, um ihr Einkommen aufzubessern.
She is looking for additional sources of income to supplement her earnings. - Mieteinnahmen können eine stabile Einnahmequelle sein.
Rental income can be a stable source of income. - Für viele Künstler sind Auftritte die wichtigste Einnahmequelle.
For many artists, performances are the most important source of income.
💡 Everyday Application: When to use Einnahmequelle?
The term 'Einnahmequelle' is mainly used in economic and financial contexts.
- In professional life: People talk about the Haupteinnahmequelle (main source of income, e.g., salary) and Nebeneinnahmequellen (secondary sources of income, e.g., from a side job or rentals).
- For companies: Businesses analyze their various Einnahmequellen (e.g., product sales, services, license fees).
- In private life: To describe the origin of household income (Gehalt, Rente, Kindergeld, etc. - salary, pension, child benefit, etc.).
It's a more formal term than simply 'Geldquelle' (source of money), but specifically emphasizes the aspect of regular inflow.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the article: Think of die Quelle (the source/spring). A spring or source is feminine in German, so die Einnahmequelle is also feminine.
Remembering the meaning: Imagine money bubbling up from a Quelle (source) – these are your Einnahmen (income/revenue). Together, they form the Einnahmequelle (source of income).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Einkommensquelle: Very similar, emphasizes income (Einkommen).
- Geldquelle: More general (source of money), can also be a one-off source.
- Erwerbsquelle: Often refers to the source of livelihood through work (Erwerb = acquisition/earning).
- Finanzierungsquelle: More in a business context for the origin of capital (Finanzierung = financing).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Ausgabenposten: A specific item for which money is spent (Ausgabe = expense, Posten = item).
- Kostenfaktor: Something that causes costs (Kosten = costs, Faktor = factor).
- Schuldenquelle: Source of debt (Schulden = debt) - not a standard term, but a logical opposite.
- Verlustquelle: Source of financial losses (Verlust = loss).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Bäcker seine beste Einnahmequelle verloren? Weil ihm die Kunden weg-liefen, als er anfing, nur noch Laufmaschen zu verkaufen!
Why did the baker lose his best source of income? Because the customers *ran* away when he started selling only *runs* (in stockings)! (Play on words: 'laufen' = to run/walk, 'Laufmasche' = run/ladder in stockings/tights)
📜 A Poem about the 'Einnahmequelle'
Des Geldes Fluss, so klar und rein,
fließt aus der Quelle, groß und klein.
Mal Arbeit, Zins, mal Mietvertrag,
die Einnahmequelle, Tag für Tag.
Sie sichert Brot und Lebenslicht,
drum pflege sie mit Umsicht.
The flow of money, so clear and pure,
Flows from the source, large and small, for sure.
Sometimes work, interest, sometimes a lease,
The source of income, bringing daily peace.
It secures bread and the light of life,
So tend to it with care, avoiding strife.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich sprudle nicht mit Wasser klar,
doch bringe Euros, Jahr für Jahr.
Mal bin ich Arbeit, mal Rendite,
mal füll' ich deine Lohntüte.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung: die Einnahmequelle)
I don't bubble with clear water bright,
But bring in Euros, year-long light.
Sometimes I'm work, sometimes return on sums,
Sometimes I fill your wage packet when payday comes.
What am I?
(Answer: die Einnahmequelle / the source of income)
🧩 Word Components and Trivia
The word 'Einnahmequelle' is a compound noun (Kompositum). It consists of:
- Die Einnahme: The income, revenue, or takings. Comes from the verb 'einnehmen' (to take in, to earn).
- Die Quelle: The source, spring, or origin from which something flows or originates.
Compound nouns are very common in German. The gender of the entire word is always determined by the last component (here: die Quelle -> die Einnahmequelle).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Einnahmequelle?
The word 'Einnahmequelle' is feminine: die Einnahmequelle. It means a source of income or revenue stream, indicating where money or earnings regularly come from.