die  Haltbarkeit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/haltˈbaːʁkaɪ̯t/

What does 'die Haltbarkeit' mean? 🤔

Die Haltbarkeit is a feminine noun referring to the quality of how long something lasts, endures, or can be used before it spoils or becomes unusable.

• Durability/Endurance: The ability of a material or product to withstand wear, decay, or damage over time (e.g., die Haltbarkeit of furniture, clothing, or building materials).
• Shelf Life/Usability Period: Especially for food or medicine, it refers to the period during which they can be safely consumed or used (often indicated by the Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum - best-before date).
• Stability: Sometimes used figuratively for the endurance of relationships, systems, or conditions, although this is less common.

🚨 There's only one article for this word: die Haltbarkeit.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Corner: Declining 'die Haltbarkeit'

The noun die Haltbarkeit is always feminine. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural form (die Haltbarkeiten) is grammatically possible but very rare, usually only used when referring to different types or aspects of durability.

Declension (Singular)

Example Sentences

1. Die Haltbarkeit dieses Joghurts ist abgelaufen.
   (The shelf life of this yogurt has expired.)
2. Wir testen die Haltbarkeit des neuen Materials unter extremen Bedingungen.
   (We are testing the durability of the new material under extreme conditions.)
3. Bei guter Pflege ist die Haltbarkeit dieser Maschine sehr lang.
   (With good care, the durability of this machine is very long.)
4. Der Hersteller garantiert eine lange Haltbarkeit seiner Produkte.
   (The manufacturer guarantees a long durability/lifespan for its products.)

Using 'Haltbarkeit' in Context 🥫🛠️

The word die Haltbarkeit is very common, especially in specific contexts:

• Food & Drinks: Here, it almost always refers to the Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum (MHD) (best-before date) or the Verbrauchsdatum (use-by date). "Achte auf die Haltbarkeit, bevor du es kaufst." (Pay attention to the shelf life before you buy it.)
• Products & Materials: When talking about the longevity of objects. "Die Haltbarkeit von Markenkleidung ist oft höher." (The durability of branded clothing is often higher.) or "Die Haltbarkeit der Bremsbeläge hängt vom Fahrstil ab." (The durability of the brake pads depends on the driving style.)
• Cosmetics & Medicines: Similar to food, these have a limited period of use. "Die Haltbarkeit der Creme ist nach dem Öffnen begrenzt." (The shelf life of the cream is limited after opening.)
• Technical Components: Lifespan of parts. "Die Haltbarkeit der Festplatte wird auf 5 Jahre geschätzt." (The lifespan of the hard drive is estimated at 5 years.)

It's often used with adjectives like lang (long), kurz (short), begrenzt (limited), garantiert (guaranteed) or verbs like prüfen (to check), achten auf (to pay attention to), garantieren (to guarantee), verbessern (to improve).

Memory Aids for 'die Haltbarkeit'

Article Mnemonic

Nouns ending in -keit in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of English words like 'ability', 'possibility' - 'keit' often corresponds to '-ity' or '-ness'. So, the 'capability' (Fähigkeit) to 'hold' (halten) -> die Haltbarkeit. Or think: 'Die Hard' movies have durability! Like die Haltbarkeit.

Meaning Mnemonic

Imagine something shouting 'HALT!' (Stop!) in German when its time is up or it's about to break. It's signalling the end of its Haltbarkeit (durability/shelf life).

Synonyms & Antonyms for Haltbarkeit

A Little Joke about Haltbarkeit 😄

German: Fragt der Kunde den Bäcker: "Wie lange hält sich dieses Brot denn?" Sagt der Bäcker: "Also bei mir hält es sich meistens nur bis zum Abendbrot!"

English Translation: A customer asks the baker: "How long does this bread keep?" The baker says: "Well, at my place, it usually only keeps until dinner!"

A Poem about Durability

German:
Die Zeit verrinnt, die Dinge geh'n,
Doch manches bleibt besteh'n.
Die Brücke fest, der Fels im Meer,
Zeigt Haltbarkeit, so stark und hehr.

Beim Joghurt zählt das Datum klar,
Wie lang er frisch und essbar war.
Ob Stoff, ob Stein, ob Medizin,
Die Haltbarkeit hat ihren Sinn.

English Translation:
Time flows, things pass away,
But some things manage to stay.
The bridge stands firm, the rock in the sea,
Shows durability, strong and free.

For yogurt, the date is clear,
How long it's fresh and edible here.
Be it fabric, stone, or medicine,
Shelf life/Durability has its reason within.

Can you solve this riddle? ❓

German:
Ich sage dir, wie lang was hält,
Ob's frisch noch ist in dieser Welt.
Bei Joghurt, Käse und auch Saft,
Geb' ich dem Verfall die letzte Kraft.
Bei Stühlen, Tischen, Autoteilen,
Lass ich dich wissen, wie lang sie weilen.

Was bin ich, stets feminin im Wort?

English Translation:
I tell you how long something lasts,
Whether it's still fresh in this world's casts.
For yogurt, cheese, and juice so sweet,
I give decay its final seat.
For chairs, tables, automotive parts,
I let you know how long their life imparts.

What am I, always feminine in the word?
(Answer: die Haltbarkeit)

More about 'die Haltbarkeit'

Word Composition

The word Haltbarkeit is composed of:

• The stem of the verb halten (to hold, to last).
• The suffix -bar (creates adjectives meaning 'capable of', here: 'haltbar' = durable, capable of lasting).
• The suffix -keit (turns adjectives into feminine nouns denoting a quality or state, similar to English '-ness' or '-ity').

So: halten → haltbar → die Haltbarkeit.

Related Terms

• haltbar (adjective): Durable, non-perishable, stable.
• Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum (MHD): Best-before date. The date until which the manufacturer guarantees that the unopened food product, when stored correctly, will retain its specific properties (smell, taste, nutritional value, etc.). It is not a discard date!
• Verbrauchsdatum: Use-by date. Used for highly perishable foods (e.g., minced meat). The food should not be consumed after this date due to health risks.