die  Gegenleistung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌɡeːɡn̩ˈlaɪ̯stʊŋ/

🤝 What does "die Gegenleistung" mean?

The word die Gegenleistung (feminine) describes something that is given or performed in return for a received service, benefit, or performance. It's essentially the return service, consideration (in legal terms), or quid pro quo.

Think of it as: 'Something for something'. When someone does or gives something, they often expect a Gegenleistung in return.

This word always uses the feminine article die. There are no alternative articles.

• Example 1: Für seine Hilfe erwartete er eine angemessene Gegenleistung. (He expected appropriate compensation/return for his help.)
• Example 2: Im Vertrag ist die Zahlung als Gegenleistung für die Lieferung der Ware festgelegt. (In the contract, the payment is specified as the consideration for the delivery of the goods.)

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar and Declension of Gegenleistung

"Gegenleistung" is a feminine noun. Its declension is as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Handwerker erhält sein Geld als Gegenleistung für die Reparatur.
   (The craftsman receives his money as consideration/payment for the repair.)
2. Wir haben vereinbart, dass ich Babysitte als Gegenleistung dafür, dass du mein Auto reparierst.
   (We agreed that I would babysit in return for you fixing my car.)
3. Ohne eine klare Gegenleistung ist der Vertrag möglicherweise nicht gültig.
   (Without clear consideration, the contract may not be valid.)
4. Manchmal sind es kleine Gesten, die als nette Gegenleistungen im Alltag dienen.
   (Sometimes, small gestures serve as nice reciprocal acts in everyday life.)

💡 Usage in Context

The term die Gegenleistung is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts involving an exchange.

• Contracts and Law: Here, the Gegenleistung is an essential component. It defines what each party receives in return for their performance (e.g., money for goods, work for wages). The absence of Gegenleistung can render a contract void (exception: Schenkung - donation/gift).
• Business and Trade: Supply and demand are based on the principle of Leistung (performance/service) and Gegenleistung. Prices represent the monetary Gegenleistung for products or services.
• Everyday Life: Even with favors among friends or neighbors, one might speak of a (often not explicitly demanded) Gegenleistung. Example: "Ich helfe dir beim Umzug, vielleicht kannst du mir dafür irgendwann beim Streichen helfen." (I'll help you move; maybe you can help me paint sometime in return.)
• Distinction: A Schenkung (gift) or a Gefallen (favor) is typically done without a direct Gegenleistung. A Spende (donation) also usually lacks a material Gegenleistung.

🧠 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: The word ends in "-ung" (Leistung). Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die), so remember die Gegenleistung. Also think: Die Leistung (the performance) requires die Gegenleistung (the return performance).

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of "give and take". A Leistung (service/performance) is given, and gegen (against/in return for) this service, another service is given back – the Gegen-leistung (return service).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Note: While often overlapping, especially in business, not every Entgelt (payment) is strictly a Gegenleistung in the full sense, but the concepts are closely related.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seinen neuen Mitarbeiter: "Was halten Sie von einer 40-Stunden-Woche?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Großartig, Chef! Aber was ist die Gegenleistung?" 😉

(The boss asks his new employee: "What do you think of a 40-hour week?"
The employee replies: "Great, boss! But what's the return service/compensation?" 😉)

📜 Poem about Gegenleistung

Man gibt nicht gern, was man besitzt,
doch manchmal wird's zurückgeblitzt.
Ein Tausch, ein Handel, klar und rein,
die Gegenleistung muss es sein.
Für Arbeit Lohn, für Ware Geld,
so ist bestellt die Wirtschaftswelt.

(One doesn't gladly give what one possesses,
but sometimes it's flashed right back.
An exchange, a trade, clear and pure,
the return service/consideration it must be.
For work, wages; for goods, money,
thus is ordered the economic world.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin der Preis für Müh' und Fleiß,
im Vertrag steh' ich, schwarz auf weiß.
Ich komme nach der Leistung dran,
damit der Tausch gelingen kann.

Was bin ich?

(I am the price for effort and diligence,
In the contract I stand, in black and white.
I come after the performance is done,
So that the exchange can succeed.

What am I?)

Solution: die Gegenleistung (the return service / consideration)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Gegenleistung" is a compound noun formed from:

• gegen: preposition/adverb, here meaning 'in return for', 'in response to'.
• Leistung (die): noun, meaning 'performance', 'service', 'output', 'achievement'.

Together, the meaning is: A performance/service rendered in return for another.

Legal Significance: In German civil law (BGB - Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch), Gegenleistung is a fundamental part of reciprocal contracts (synallagmatische Verträge), such as purchase agreements (§ 433 BGB) or service contracts (§ 611 BGB).