die  Ersparnis

💰 What Exactly is 'die Ersparnis'?

The German word die Ersparnis (feminine noun) generally describes the result of saving. It can have two main meanings:

• The amount saved: When you spend less than planned or possible, the difference is called an Ersparnis. Example: "Durch den günstigeren Anbieter ergab sich eine Ersparnis von 20 Euro." (The cheaper provider resulted in a saving of 20 Euros.)
• The accumulated money or assets (often used in plural): The total sum of money put aside over time. Example: "Er hat seine gesamten Ersparnisse für das neue Auto ausgegeben." (He spent all his savings on the new car.) (Here: die Ersparnisse - plural)

It's a feminine noun, so it's always die Ersparnis. ⚠️ Don't confuse it with the verb sparen (to save).

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Ersparnis

The noun 'Ersparnis' is feminine. Here is the declension:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural is 'die Ersparnisse'.

Example Sentences 📝

• Die jährliche Ersparnis durch die Solaranlage ist beträchtlich. (The annual saving from the solar panels is considerable.)
• Trotz großer Ersparnisse konnte er sich das Haus nicht leisten. (Despite large savings, he couldn't afford the house.)
• Mit dieser Ersparnis können wir in den Urlaub fahren. (With this saving, we can go on vacation.)
• Wir investieren unsere Ersparnisse in Aktien. (We invest our savings in stocks.)

💡 How 'Ersparnis' is Used

The term die Ersparnis is frequently used in the context of finance, household budgets, and economics.

• In everyday life: Talking about money saved while shopping, through discounts, or on contracts (electricity, mobile phone). "Diese Woche gab es eine schöne Ersparnis beim Supermarkt." (There was a nice saving at the supermarket this week.)
• In business: Companies talk about cost reductions or efficiency improvements that lead to Ersparnisse (savings). "Die Umstrukturierung führte zu erheblichen Ersparnissen." (The restructuring led to significant savings.)
• In the plural ('Ersparnisse'): Usually refers to the total accumulated assets of a person or family. "Ihre Ersparnisse sind auf einem Sparkonto sicher angelegt." (Their savings are safely invested in a savings account.)

Distinction:

• Sparen (verb): The act of putting money aside or spending less. "Ich spare für ein neues Fahrrad." (I am saving for a new bicycle.)
• Einsparung (noun, f.): Very similar to 'Ersparnis', often interchangeable when referring to the amount saved. 'Ersparnis' sometimes emphasizes the result more, while 'Einsparung' might focus on the process or the specific item where savings were made.

🧠 Mnemonics for Ersparnis

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of die Sparbüchse (the piggy bank). She (feminine 'die') holds die Ersparnis. Or imagine a wise woman ('die Frau') managing her finances and ensuring there is die Ersparnis.

Meaning Mnemonic (Savings): The word comes from sparen (to save). The suffix -nis often forms feminine nouns describing a result or state (like Finsternis - darkness, Kenntnis - knowledge). So, die Ersparnis is the result of saving. Think 'nice savings' for '-nis'.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

🚨 Watch out: Don't confuse 'Ersparnis' with 'Erlebnis' (experience) or 'Erlaubnis' (permission) - they sound somewhat similar but have completely different meanings.

😂 A Little Savings Joke

Bankberater: "Haben Sie konkrete Pläne für Ihre Ersparnisse?"
Kunde: "Ja! Ich spare, bis ich mir endlich nichts mehr leisten kann!" 😉

Translation:
Financial advisor: "Do you have concrete plans for your savings?"
Customer: "Yes! I'm saving until I finally can't afford anything anymore!" 😉

📜 Poem about Savings

Ein Cent hier, ein Euro dort,
so wächst der kleine Schatz am Ort.
Die Ersparnis, still und fein,
soll für schlechte Zeiten sein.
Nicht alles gleich zum Fenster raus,
kluges Sparen baut ein Haus.
Drum denk daran, bei Tag und Nacht,
was kluges Sparen möglich macht!

Translation:
A cent here, a euro there,
so the little treasure grows right where you are.
The saving, quiet and fine,
should be there for rainy times.
Don't throw everything out the window fast,
clever saving builds a house to last.
So remember, day and night,
what clever saving brings to light!

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin das Gegenteil von Schuld und Ausgabe,
vermehre mich, wenn man klug ist, keine Frage.
Man legt mich auf die hohe Kante,
ich bin die...?

Lösung (Solution): die Ersparnis

Translation:
I am the opposite of debt and expense,
I multiply when one is wise, it makes sense.
People put me aside for a future date,
I am the...?

Solution: the saving (die Ersparnis)

✨ More Interesting Facts

Word Formation:

The word 'Ersparnis' is derived from the verb sparen (to save). The prefix er- often indicates the achievement of a result (as in erarbeiten - to work for, erreichen - to reach). The suffix -nis forms a feminine noun describing the result or state of saving.

Cultural Context:

Saving (Sparen) traditionally holds high importance in Germany ('Sparsamkeit' - thriftiness - as a virtue). Therefore, the term 'Ersparnis' is very common in everyday life and business.