die
Geldwäsche
💸 What exactly is Geldwäsche?
Die Geldwäsche is the German term for money laundering. It describes the process of making illegally obtained funds (so-called 'dirty money' or 'schmutziges Geld') appear legitimate by channeling them through various transactions into the legal economy. The goal is to 'wash' the money clean ('reinwaschen') to disguise its criminal origin.
It's a criminal offense often associated with organized crime, drug trafficking, corruption, or tax evasion.
The word is always feminine in German: die Geldwäsche.
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 Under the Microscope: Die Geldwäsche
The noun 'Geldwäsche' is feminine. It is mostly used in the singular form because it describes a process. The plural 'die Geldwäschen' is rare and refers to multiple specific instances or operations of money laundering.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldwäsche |
| Genitive | der | Geldwäsche |
| Dative | der | Geldwäsche |
| Accusative | die | Geldwäsche |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Geldwäschen |
| Genitive | der | Geldwäschen |
| Dative | den | Geldwäschen |
| Accusative | die | Geldwäschen |
Example Sentences:
- Die Behörden ermitteln wegen des Verdachts auf Geldwäsche.
(The authorities are investigating on suspicion of money laundering.) - Geldwäsche ist ein komplexes internationales Problem.
(Money laundering is a complex international problem.) - Er wurde wegen Geldwäsche zu einer langen Haftstrafe verurteilt.
(He was sentenced to a long prison term for money laundering.)
📝 How to Use 'Geldwäsche'?
The term die Geldwäsche is primarily used in the following contexts:
- Law and Justice: In indictments, court rulings, laws (e.g., Geldwäschegesetz - GwG, the Money Laundering Act), and legal discussions.
- Economy and Finance: When describing illicit financial flows, compliance measures in banks and financial institutions to prevent money laundering.
- Media Reporting: In news reports about crime, especially organized crime and white-collar crime.
- Politics: In debates about measures to combat financial crime.
It's a technical term describing a specific criminal act and is rarely used in everyday conversation unless discussing related news or incidents.
🧠 Mnemonics for Geldwäsche
For the article 'die': Think of 'die Wäsche' (the laundry). Laundry is feminine in German. You 'wash' the money (Geld), so it's die Geldwäsche.
For the meaning: Imagine someone trying to get dirty banknotes clean in a washing machine (die Wäsche) to hide their shady origins. This imagery is behind Geldwäsche (money laundering).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Kapitalwäsche: (Capital laundering) A very similar term, often used interchangeably with Geldwäsche.
- Geldwaschen: (The act of washing money, verbal noun)
- (Figurative): Vermögensverschleierung (concealment of assets), Schmutziges Geld reinwaschen (washing dirty money clean)
Antonyms (Opposite Concepts):
A direct antonym is difficult as Geldwäsche is a specific illegal process. Opposite concepts would be:
- Legale Finanztransaktion: (Legal financial transaction) A normal, compliant transfer or investment.
- Sauberes Geld / Legales Einkommen: (Clean money / Legal income) Money from traceable, legal sources.
- Finanzielle Transparenz: (Financial transparency) Disclosure of funding sources and flows.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse Geldwäsche with simple tax evasion (Steuerhinterziehung), although money laundering often accompanies or results from it.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat die Waschmaschine des Mafiabosses gekündigt?
Sie hatte genug von der ständigen Geldwäsche! 😉
Translation:
Why did the mafia boss's washing machine quit?
It had enough of the constant money laundering! 😉
📜 Poem about Geldwäsche
Dunkles Geld, im Schatten geboren,
Hat seinen wahren Ursprung verloren.
Durch Konten fließt's, geschickt getarnt,
Ein Netz aus Lügen, fein gespannt.
Die Wäsche macht es scheinbar rein,
Doch bleibt der Makel, tief und fein.
Das Recht wacht auf, zählt eins und eins,
Am Ende bleibt nur Schutt und Stein.
Translation:
Dark money, born in shadows deep,
Its true origin, secrets keep.
Through accounts it flows, disguised with skill,
A web of lies, spun finer still.
The 'laundering' makes it seem so clean,
But the stain remains, profoundly keen.
The law awakens, counts one and one,
In the end, just ruins, work undone.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich mache schmutziges Geld sauber,
doch Seife brauch' ich nie.
Ich steh' im Strafgesetzbuch,
doch im Waschsalon siehst du mich nie.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Die Geldwäsche
Translation:
I make dirty money clean,
but I never need soap.
I'm found in the penal code,
but you'll never see me in a laundromat.
What am I?
Solution: Money laundering (Die Geldwäsche)
💡 More Tidbits
Word Composition:
The word 'Geldwäsche' is a compound noun, composed of:
The combination vividly illustrates the process of 'washing' funds clean.
Relevance: Anti-money laundering (AML) efforts are a central focus for banks, financial service providers, and law enforcement agencies worldwide to protect the integrity of the financial system and curb crime.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Geldwäsche?
The word 'Geldwäsche' is always feminine. The correct article is die. Therefore, it is always die Geldwäsche.