die  Garantie

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡaʁanˈtiː/

🛡️ What does "die Garantie" mean?

Die Garantie (noun, feminine) refers to a binding assurance or promise, usually in a legal or economic context. It guarantees certain properties of a product or service for a specified period or vouches for the fulfillment of an obligation.

• Main meaning: An assurance (often written) about the functionality or quality of an item, linked to the obligation to repair, exchange, or refund in case of defects within a certain period (e.g., Herstellergarantie - manufacturer's warranty). Note: Gewährleistung is the statutory liability for defects, while Garantie is often a voluntary commitment by the manufacturer or retailer.
• Figurative meaning: A firm promise or certainty for the occurrence of a specific event or state (e.g., eine Garantie für Erfolg - a guarantee for success).

🚨 Attention: In German, a distinction is often made between Garantie (voluntary service from the manufacturer or retailer) and Gewährleistung (legally required liability for defects by the seller). The Garantie often goes beyond the scope of the Gewährleistung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Garantie" in Detail

The word "Garantie" is a feminine noun. The article is always "die". It is declined as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das neue Smartphone hat eine zweijährige Garantie. (The new smartphone has a two-year warranty.)
2. Der Hersteller gibt eine lebenslange Garantie auf den Rahmen des Fahrrads. (The manufacturer gives a lifetime guarantee on the bike frame.)
3. Gibt es eine Garantie dafür, dass das Projekt rechtzeitig fertig wird? (Is there a guarantee that the project will be finished on time? - figurative meaning)
4. Bitte bewahren Sie den Kassenbon als Garantienachweis auf. (Please keep the receipt as proof of warranty.)
5. Wir haben mehrere Garantien für die Qualität unserer Produkte erhalten. (We received several guarantees for the quality of our products.)

💡 How to use "die Garantie"?

• Context: Mainly used in commerce, services, and contracts. You talk about a Garantie when you mean an additional security beyond the statutory Gewährleistung (warranty/liability for defects).
• Typical combinations:
  • eine Garantie geben/übernehmen (to give/assume a guarantee)
  • eine Garantie haben/besitzen (to have a guarantee)
  • etwas auf Garantie reparieren/umtauschen (to repair/exchange something under warranty)
  • die Garantie läuft ab/ist abgelaufen (the guarantee expires/has expired)
  • Garantieschein (warranty certificate), Garantiefrist (warranty period), Garantiefall (warranty case), Garantiebedingungen (warranty conditions)
• Difference from Gewährleistung: As mentioned above, Gewährleistung is legally mandated (liability for material defects for 2 years for new goods in Germany/EU), while Garantie is a voluntary additional service (e.g., 5 Jahre Garantie auf bestimmte Teile - 5-year guarantee on specific parts).
• Figurative Use: Less common, but possible, to express a high degree of certainty or probability (e.g., "Das gute Wetter ist keine Garantie für gute Laune." - "Good weather is no guarantee for a good mood.").

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Garantie"

For the article 'die': Words ending in '-ie' in German are almost always feminine (die Biologie, die Magie, die Demokratie...). Think: "Die Garantie guarantees me!" The 'ie' sound helps remember 'die'.

For the meaning: Imagine you buy something expensive. The seller says: "Don't worry, we guarantee it works!" This promise is the Garantie. It sounds a bit like 'guarantee' itself.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but misleading words:

• Garnitur: (A set, e.g., Bettwäschegarnitur - a set of bed linen)
• Garant: (The person or entity giving a guarantee)

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Kunde den Verkäufer: "Geben Sie eine Garantie auf diesen Toaster?"
Sagt der Verkäufer: "Ja, eine Garantie, dass er Toast macht!"

(Customer asks the salesperson: "Do you give a guarantee on this toaster?"
Salesperson replies: "Yes, a guarantee that it makes toast!")

📜 A short poem

Die Garantie, ein starkes Wort,
Verspricht dir Sicherheit am Ort.
Geht mal was kaputt, welch ein Graus,
Tauscht man's auf Garantie dir aus.
Ein Schutzschild für den Konsument,
Das man gerne beim Namen nennt.

(The guarantee, a powerful word,
Promises you security at the place.
If something breaks, what a dread,
It's exchanged under warranty instead.
A shield for the consumer's right,
Whose name is spoken with delight.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Versprechen, oft auf Papier,
Für Qualität steh' ich bei dir.
Läuft etwas schief, tritt mein Plan in Kraft,
Ich gebe dir neue oder reparierte Macht.
Ich habe eine Frist, mal kurz, mal lang.

(I am a promise, often on paper,
For quality, I stand by you later.
If something goes wrong, my plan takes effect,
I give you new power or power correct.
I have a time limit, sometimes short, sometimes long.)

Wer bin ich? / Who am I?
... Die Garantie / The Guarantee/Warranty

🧩 Other Information

Word Origin: The German word "Garantie" comes from the French "garantie", which in turn derives from the Old French "garant" (guarantor, surety). This has Germanic roots (compare German "wehren", to defend, secure).

Distribution: An internationally common word, sounding similar in many languages (e.g., English guarantee/warranty, Spanish garantía, Italian garanzia).