die
Erfolgsgeschichte
📖 What does "die Erfolgsgeschichte" mean?
Die Erfolgsgeschichte (feminine noun) translates directly to 'success story'. It refers to a narrative or account of a remarkable success. It describes the often arduous but ultimately successful journey of a person, a company, a product, or an idea.
The word is a compound of:
- der Erfolg (masculine noun): success, the positive result of an effort, achieving a goal.
- die Geschichte (feminine noun): story, history, an account of past events.
So, it literally means the 'story of a success'. It's often used to highlight inspiring examples of successful actions or positive developments.
⚠️ There is only one article for this word: die.
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 in Detail: die Erfolgsgeschichte
"Erfolgsgeschichte" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Erfolgsgeschichte |
| Genitive | der | Erfolgsgeschichte |
| Dative | der | Erfolgsgeschichte |
| Accusative | die | Erfolgsgeschichte |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Erfolgsgeschichten |
| Genitive | der | Erfolgsgeschichten |
| Dative | den | Erfolgsgeschichten |
| Accusative | die | Erfolgsgeschichten |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Gründung des Unternehmens ist eine echte Erfolgsgeschichte.
(The founding of the company is a real success story.) - In dem Buch werden verschiedene Erfolgsgeschichten von Migranten erzählt.
(The book tells various success stories of migrants.) - Ihre persönliche Erfolgsgeschichte inspiriert viele junge Frauen.
(Her personal success story inspires many young women.) - Wir können aus dieser Erfolgsgeschichte viel lernen.
(We can learn a lot from this success story.)
💡 Usage Notes
"Die Erfolgsgeschichte" is frequently used in contexts reporting on positive developments:
- Business & Companies: The development of a company from a small start-up to a global market leader. (e.g., Die Erfolgsgeschichte von Google - The success story of Google)
- Personal Development: The career or life path of a person who overcame obstacles and achieved goals. (e.g., Seine sportliche Karriere ist eine beeindruckende Erfolgsgeschichte. - His sports career is an impressive success story.)
- Products & Innovations: The market launch and spread of a successful product. (e.g., Die Erfolgsgeschichte des Internets. - The success story of the internet.)
- Social Projects & Initiatives: Reports on projects that have brought about positive social change.
The word has a consistently positive connotation and is often used to motivate, inspire, or highlight positive examples.
🧠 Mnemonics
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'the story' in English - a story ('Geschichte') is often perceived with feminine qualities (imagination, narrative flow). Since 'Geschichte' determines the gender, it's 'die Geschichte', and thus 'die Erfolgsgeschichte'.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: 'Erfolg' sounds like 'Air-folk' - imagine people (folk) celebrating in the air because of their success. 'Geschichte' sounds like 'Gesha's cheetah' - imagine Gesha telling a story about her fast cheetah's success in a race. Combine them: The 'Air-folk' listen to Gesha's cheetah's 'Erfolgsgeschichte' (success story).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Aufstiegsgeschichte: 'Rise story', emphasizes social or economic advancement.
- Glanzleistung: 'Brilliant achievement', highlights an outstanding performance.
- Meisterstück: 'Masterpiece', refers to a perfectly executed work or action.
- Paradebeispiel (für Erfolg): 'Prime example (of success)'.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Misserfolgsgeschichte: 'Failure story'.
- Pleite: '(Financial) bankruptcy', 'flop'.
- Fiasko: 'Fiasco', a miserable failure.
- Niedergang: 'Decline', 'downfall'.
- Scheitern: 'Failure', 'act of failing'.
Similar but potentially misleading words:
- Geschichte: 'Story' or 'history' alone can be any kind of narrative, not necessarily a successful one.
- Entwicklungsgeschichte: 'Development story/history' describes a process of change, which can be positive, negative, or neutral.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer kann mir eine kurze Erfolgsgeschichte erzählen?" Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Ich bin aufgestanden, zur Schule gegangen und wieder nach Hause gekommen - ohne Hausaufgaben aufzubekommen!"
English Translation: The teacher asks: "Who can tell me a short success story?" Little Fritz raises his hand: "I got up, went to school, and came home again - without getting any homework!"
✍️ Poem about a Success Story
German:
Ein kleiner Start, ein großer Traum,
man glaubt es kaum, in diesem Raum.
Mit Fleiß und Mut, Tag für Tag,
trotz manchem Zweifel, mancher Plag'.
Wächst die Idee, wird stark und groß,
wirft allen Ballast restlos los.
Nun steht sie da, bekannt im Land,
die Erfolgsgeschichte, Hand in Hand
mit harter Arbeit, klug und fein,
so soll es auch in Zukunft sein!
English Translation:
A small start, a big dream's gleam,
Hard to believe, within this scene.
With diligence and courage, day by day,
Despite some doubts, much toil and fray.
The idea grows, becomes strong and grand,
Sheds all its burdens across the land.
Now there it stands, known near and far,
The success story, like a shining star,
Hand in hand with hard work, smart and fine,
So may it also in the future shine!
🧩 Riddle
German:
Ich erzähle von Sieg und von Glanz,
von Aufstieg und glücklichem Tanz.
Ich beginne oft klein und ganz sacht,
doch am Ende hab' ich's geschafft.
Man liest mich gern, ich geb' dir Mut,
zeig', dass nach Mühe alles wird gut.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I tell of victory and of gleam,
Of rising up and happy dream (dance).
I often start small and very slight,
But in the end, I've won the fight.
People like to read me, I give you heart,
Show that after effort, good things start.
What am I? (Answer: die Erfolgsgeschichte / a success story)
ℹ️ Further Information
Word Composition
"Erfolgsgeschichte" is a compound noun (Kompositum), meaning it's formed by combining multiple words:
- Erfolg (base word 1: success)
- -s- (linking element, often used for pronunciation/connection)
- Geschichte (base word 2: story/history)
The gender of a German compound noun is always determined by the last noun, here "die Geschichte" (feminine), which is why "die Erfolgsgeschichte" is feminine.
Cultural Significance
Success stories (Erfolgsgeschichten) play an important role in many cultures. They often serve as role models, sources of motivation, and confirmation of societal values (such as hard work, perseverance, innovation).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Erfolgsgeschichte?
The word "Erfolgsgeschichte" is a feminine noun. The correct article is always die. There is only this one form (e.g., die Erfolgsgeschichte - the success story, die Erfolgsgeschichten - the success stories).