die  Ernte

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɛʁntə/

🌾 What does "die Ernte" mean?

The German word die Ernte (feminine) primarily refers to two things:

1. The act of harvesting: The process of gathering ripe crops, fruits, vegetables, or other agricultural or horticultural products. Example: Die Ernte beginnt dieses Jahr früh. (The harvest begins early this year.)
2. The yield itself: The quantity of harvested crops or products. Example: Die Ernte war dieses Jahr sehr reichlich. (The harvest was very bountiful this year.)

It can also be used figuratively to describe the result or reward of an effort. Example: Harte Arbeit bringt eine gute Ernte des Erfolgs. (Hard work brings a good harvest of success.)

🚨 Since "Ernte" is always feminine, the article is always die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Ernte" in Detail

"Ernte" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences for Grammar

• Nominative Singular: Die Ernte war gut dieses Jahr. (The harvest was good this year.)
• Genitive Singular: Der Zeitpunkt der Ernte ist entscheidend. (The time of the harvest is crucial.)
• Dative Singular: Wir helfen bei der Ernte. (We help with the harvest.)
• Accusative Singular: Die Bauern bringen die Ernte ein. (The farmers bring in the harvest.)
• Nominative Plural: Nach mehreren schlechten Jahren folgten gute Ernten. (After several bad years, good harvests followed.)

💡 How to Use "die Ernte"?

"Die Ernte" is mostly used in the context of agriculture and gardening.

• Typical Collocations: eine gute/schlechte/reiche Ernte (a good/bad/rich harvest), die Ernte einbringen/einfahren (to bring in the harvest), bei der Ernte helfen (to help with the harvest), die Zeit der Ernte (the time of harvest).
• Context: One speaks of die Weinernte (grape harvest, also *die Weinlese*), die Getreideernte (grain harvest), die Obsternte (fruit harvest), etc.
• Figurative Meaning: You can also talk about the "harvest" of your efforts, meaning the reward or result of work or effort (e.g., *"die Ernte des Lernens sind gute Noten" - the harvest of studying is good grades*).
• Differentiation: While *die Ernte* refers to both the process and the result, *das Ernten* specifically means the process. *Die Einbringung* is a synonym for the process. *Der Ertrag* emphasizes the quantity harvested (the yield).

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Ernte"

For the article (die): Think of *DIE* mother earth, who provides *DIE* harvest. Or imagine: *DIE* queen oversees *DIE* harvest. (Feminine article for a word often associated with earth/nature).

For the meaning (Harvest): "Ernte" sounds a bit like "EARN it". You have to work hard to earn the Ernte (harvest).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Related Terms:

• ernten (verb): To harvest.
• Erntedankfest: Harvest festival (similar to Thanksgiving).
• Erntehelfer/in: Harvest helper (male/female).
• Missernte: Crop failure, a very bad harvest.

😂 A Little Harvest Joke

German: Fragt der Städter den Bauern: "Sagen Sie mal, Bauer, wächst auf diesem Feld hier eigentlich auch etwas Sinnvolles?" Antwortet der Bauer: "Aber sicher doch! Nächstes Jahr baue ich hier Parkuhren an! Die bringen eine gute Ernte!"

English Translation: A city dweller asks a farmer: "Tell me, farmer, does anything useful actually grow in this field?" The farmer replies: "But of course! Next year I'm planting parking meters here! They bring in a good harvest!"

📜 Poem for Harvest Time

German:
Die Felder golden, schwer und breit,
Es ist nun wieder Erntezeit.
Die Sonne lacht, der Himmel klar,
die Frucht der Arbeit ist nun da.
Mit Sichel, Korb und fleiß'ger Hand
zieht man die Ernte durch das Land.

English Translation:
The fields golden, heavy and wide,
It is now harvest time again.
The sun smiles, the sky is clear,
the fruit of labor is now here.
With sickle, basket, and diligent hand,
they bring the harvest through the land.

❓ Little Harvest Riddle

German:
Ich bin der Lohn für Schweiß und Saat,
komme spät im Jahr als gute Tat.
Mal bin ich reich, mal eher klein,
doch Bauern freuen sich – was mag ich sein?

English Translation:
I am the reward for sweat and seed,
I come late in the year as a good deed.
Sometimes I'm rich, sometimes rather small,
But farmers rejoice – what might I be called?

Solution: Die Ernte (The Harvest)

🌱 Other Info About "die Ernte"

• Word Origin: The noun "die Ernte" is closely related to the verb "ernten" (to harvest). It originates from the Old High German word "arnot" or "ernusti", which originally meant the effort or labor required to bring in the crops.
• Cultural Significance: Many cultures have harvest festivals (in Germany, often called "Erntedankfest", similar to Thanksgiving) to give thanks for the gathered harvest. This highlights the historical importance of agriculture and the harvest for survival.
• Modern Harvesting: Today, harvesting is often done mechanically with large harvesting machines (combine harvesters, etc.), especially in industrialized agriculture.