die  Gehaltserhöhung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈhalt͡sʔɛʁˌhøːʊŋ/

💰 What exactly is a Gehaltserhöhung?

The noun Gehaltserhöhung (article: die) refers to an increase in the regular remuneration, i.e., the salary or wage, of an employee. It signifies a permanent raise in the base salary.

Because the word ends in "-ung", it is grammatically feminine and takes the article die. There are no other articles for this word.

A Gehaltserhöhung is often the result of performance reviews, promotions, successful salary negotiations, or adjustments based on collective bargaining agreements (Tarifverträge).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope

The noun "Gehaltserhöhung" is feminine.

Example Sentences

1. Nach dem erfolgreichen Projekt bat sie um eine Gehaltserhöhung.
   (After the successful project, she asked for a salary increase.)
2. Die Gewerkschaft verhandelt über allgemeine Gehaltserhöhungen für alle Angestellten.
   (The union is negotiating general salary increases for all employees.)
3. Er freute sich sehr über die unerwartete Gehaltserhöhung.
   (He was very happy about the unexpected pay rise.)
4. Die Höhe der Gehaltserhöhung hängt von verschiedenen Faktoren ab.
   (The amount of the salary increase depends on various factors.)

🗣️ How to use "Gehaltserhöhung"?

The term Gehaltserhöhung is primarily used in a professional context. Here are typical situations:

• Mitarbeitergespräche (Employee appraisals): A central topic in annual performance or development reviews.
• Gehaltsverhandlungen (Salary negotiations): When employees actively ask for better pay.
• Tarifverhandlungen (Collective bargaining): Unions and employer associations negotiate blanket increases.
• Beförderungen (Promotions): A promotion often comes with a Gehaltserhöhung.

Compared to Lohnerhöhung, Gehaltserhöhung specifically refers to the Gehalt (salary, usually for white-collar employees), while Lohnerhöhung refers to the Lohn (wage, often for blue-collar workers paid by the hour). However, in everyday language, the terms are often used interchangeably.

A Gehaltsanpassung (salary adjustment) can also be an increase, but the term is more neutral and could theoretically include a cut (although an increase is usually meant).

🧠 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine. Think of the English word "lung" - you have two, but the German ending -ung signals singular feminine: die Gehaltserhöhung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: Gehalt sounds like "get halt" - you get money and halt working for the day. Erhöhung sounds like "ear-HO-hoong" - imagine shouting "HO!" because your earnings (Erhöhung = increase) went up! So, Gehaltserhöhung = Get Halt + HO! = Salary Increase.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: A Prämie (premium) or Bonus is not a Gehaltserhöhung, as it's usually a one-time payment and not a permanent increase in the base salary.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Mitarbeiter: "Möchten Sie eine Gehaltserhöhung oder lieber einen Firmenwagen?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Kommt drauf an... wie schnell ist die Gehaltserhöhung?"

(The boss asks the employee: "Would you prefer a salary increase or a company car?"
The employee replies: "Depends... how fast is the salary increase?")

📜 A Little Poem

Das Konto war stets etwas leer,
das Arbeiten fiel manchmal schwer.
Doch heut' kam Post, welch große Ehr',
die Gehaltserhöhung, bitte sehr!
Ein Lächeln huscht übers Gesicht,
mehr Geld in Sicht, welch frohe Pflicht!

(The account was always a bit bare,
working sometimes felt like a heavy share.
But mail arrived today, what great renown,
the salary increase, please sit down!
A smile now flickers across the face,
more money in sight, a happy place/duty!)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Wunsch von vielen im Beruf,
ein Plus auf dem Zettel, ein freudiger Ruf.
Manchmal muss man hart verhandeln,
damit die Zahlen sich verwandeln.
Ich mache den Lohnzettel schwerer,
und das Leben oft heiterer.

Was bin ich?

(I am a wish for many in their job,
a plus on the payslip, a joyful sob (of happiness).
Sometimes you have to negotiate hard,
so that the numbers play a different card.
I make the payslip heavier,
and life often merrier.

What am I?)

Solution: die Gehaltserhöhung (the salary increase)

🧩 Additional Info about the Gehaltserhöhung

Word Composition

The word "Gehaltserhöhung" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Das Gehalt: The salary (regular income of an employee).
• -s-: A linking element (Fugenlaut) connecting the parts.
• Die Erhöhung: The increase/rise (noun form of the verb "erhöhen" - to raise/increase), derived from "hoch" (high). The suffix "-ung" makes the noun feminine.

Cultural Context

In Germany, salary increases (Gehaltserhöhungen) are often linked to performance, seniority, or collective bargaining agreements (Tarifverträge). Unlike in some other cultures, directly negotiating salary is common but often considered a sensitive topic requiring tact and careful preparation.