die
Geldanlage
💰 What does 'die Geldanlage' mean?
Die Geldanlage (feminine) refers to the use of money (capital) with the aim of generating income or capital appreciation. It's the act of investing financial resources in various forms such as stocks (Aktien), bonds (Anleihen), real estate (Immobilien), funds (Fonds), or savings accounts (Sparkonten).
The term is primarily used in the fields of economics and finance (Wirtschaft und Finanzen). It’s about making money 'work' to have more in the future, rather than just spending (ausgeben) or saving (sparen) it.
There is only one article for this word: die. 🚨 It is always feminine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📊 Grammar in Detail: die Geldanlage
The noun 'Geldanlage' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldanlage |
| Genitive | der | Geldanlage |
| Dative | der | Geldanlage |
| Accusative | die | Geldanlage |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldanlagen |
| Genitive | der | Geldanlagen |
| Dative | den | Geldanlagen |
| Accusative | die | Geldanlagen |
Example Sentences
- Eine gute Geldanlage erfordert sorgfältige Planung.
(A good investment requires careful planning.) - Er informierte sich über verschiedene Formen der Geldanlage.
(He informed himself about different forms of investment.) - Die Rendite dieser Geldanlage war im letzten Jahr sehr hoch.
(The return on this investment was very high last year.) - Viele Menschen suchen nach sicheren Geldanlagen.
(Many people are looking for safe investments.)
🏦 Everyday Usage
'Die Geldanlage' is used when discussing the investment of money. It's a key term in finance (Finanzwesen), both in private and business contexts.
- Contexts: Bank consultations (Bankgespräche), financial news (Finanznachrichten), personal financial planning (persönliche Finanzplanung), business magazines (Wirtschaftsmagazine).
- Typical Adjectives: sicher (safe), rentabel (profitable), langfristig (long-term), kurzfristig (short-term), risikoreich (risky), konservativ (conservative).
- Related Verbs: tätigen (to make/carry out), suchen (to look for), empfehlen (to recommend), diversifizieren (to diversify).
- Distinction: While 'Sparen' (saving) often means simply setting money aside (e.g., in a low-interest savings account), 'Geldanlage' usually implies an investment aiming for higher returns (Erträge), which often involves higher risks (Risiken). 'Investition' is a very similar term, but 'Geldanlage' refers more specifically to investing money (Geld).
🧠 Clever Mnemonics for 'die Geldanlage'
Article Aid: Think of financial terms like die Aktie (share), die Immobilie (real estate), die Rendite (return/yield) – many are feminine, including die Geldanlage. Imagine die Frau (the woman) wisely investing her money (Geld).
Meaning Aid: The word is composed of 'Geld' (money) and 'Anlage' (facility, plant, but here: investment/placement). Picture planting your Geld in a fertile Anlage (like a garden plot) so it can grow.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- die Investition: Very similar, more general term for deploying capital.
- die Kapitalanlage: Almost identical, emphasizes the use of capital (Kapital).
- das Investment: Anglicism, often used synonymously.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- die Verschuldung: Debt/borrowing (borrowing money instead of investing).
- die Ausgabe / der Konsum: Expenditure/consumption (spending money instead of investing).
- die Entnahme: Withdrawal (taking money out of an investment).
⚠️ Potential for Confusion
- die Anlage: Can also refer to technical equipment (technical facility), parks (park facility), or document attachments (enclosure). 'Geldanlage' is specific to money investment.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Bankberater: "Haben Sie schon über eine langfristige Geldanlage nachgedacht?"
Antwortet der Kunde: "Ja, ich kaufe mir morgen einen Kühlschrank. Da ist das Essen länger gut angelegt!"
Translation:
The bank advisor asks: "Have you thought about a long-term investment (Geldanlage)?"
The customer replies: "Yes, I'm buying a refrigerator tomorrow. The food will be well 'invested' in there for longer!" (Playing on 'anlegen' which can mean 'to invest' or 'to place/store')
✍️ Poem about Geldanlage
Das Sparschwein platzt, das Geld muss raus,
Nicht nur zum Fenster, nein, mit Schmaus.
Die Geldanlage, klug und fein,
Lässt Scheine wachsen, groß und klein.
Ob Aktie, Fonds, ob Gold, ob Zins,
Hauptsache, es bringt was, des Gewinns!
Translation:
The piggy bank bursts, the money must get out,
Not just out the window, no, with a feast about.
The investment, clever and fine,
Lets banknotes grow, big and small, divine.
Whether stock, fund, gold, or interest's gain,
The main thing is it brings something, the profit's reign!
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Sparschwein, doch ich halt' es fest,
Dein liebes Geld, zum großen Test.
Ich lass' es arbeiten bei Tag und Nacht,
Hab' Zinsen oder Wertzuwachs gebracht.
Man braucht Geduld und etwas Mut,
Damit ich wirke, tue gut.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I'm not a piggy bank, but I hold it tight,
Your dear money, put to the test, day and night.
I let it work continuously,
Bringing interest or value increase, you see.
You need patience and some courage true,
So I can work and do good for you.
What am I?
(Solution: die Geldanlage / the investment)
🧩 Word Components & Trivia
Word Composition: 'Die Geldanlage' is a compound noun (Kompositum).
- Das Geld: Money, financial means, currency.
- Die Anlage: Here in the sense of 'to invest', 'to place'. Derived from the verb 'anlegen' (to invest, to apply, to create).
Trivia: Choosing the right Geldanlage is a central topic in personal financial planning and can significantly impact one's future financial situation.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Geldanlage?
The word 'Geldanlage' is always feminine. The correct article is die: die Geldanlage.