die  Hilfeleistung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhɪlfəˌlaɪstʊŋ/

🤝 What exactly is die Hilfeleistung?

Die Hilfeleistung (feminine noun) refers to the provision of help or assistance to someone in distress or needing support. It's often a slightly more formal term than the simple Hilfe (help) and is frequently used in legal or official contexts.

There's only one article, die, for Hilfeleistung. This is because it's an abstract noun ending in -ung, which typically indicates a feminine gender in German.

• Meaning: The active act of helping, the provision of support.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of die Hilfeleistung in Detail

The noun die Hilfeleistung is feminine. Here is its declension:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural form, die Hilfeleistungen, is used less often but is grammatically correct.

Example Sentences 📜

1. Die schnelle Hilfeleistung der Ersthelfer rettete dem Verunfallten das Leben.
   (The swift assistance of the first responders saved the accident victim's life.)
2. Unterlassene Hilfeleistung ist strafbar.
   (Failure to render assistance is punishable by law.)
3. Er dankte ihr für die großzügige Hilfeleistung.
   (He thanked her for the generous assistance.)
4. Verschiedene Organisationen bieten professionelle Hilfeleistungen an.
   (Various organizations offer professional support services / acts of assistance.)

🗣️ How is Hilfeleistung used?

Die Hilfeleistung is often used in more formal or official contexts. You'll frequently find it in reports, legal texts, or when discussing organized aid.

• Legal Context: The term is particularly known in connection with unterlassene Hilfeleistung, meaning the failure to render assistance, i.e., neglecting to help someone in an emergency when it would be possible and reasonable.
• Official Context: Authorities or organizations might speak of Hilfeleistungen when describing their support offerings (e.g., finanzielle Hilfeleistungen - financial aid, technische Hilfeleistungen - technical support/assistance).
• Difference from 'Hilfe': While Hilfe (help) is more common and broader, Hilfeleistung emphasizes the act of helping itself, often as a concrete action or service.

⚠️ Avoid using Hilfeleistung in very casual, everyday situations where simple Hilfe or Unterstützung (support) would sound more natural.

🧠 Mnemonics for die Hilfeleistung

For the article 'die': Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. Think of die Leistung (performance), die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope)... and therefore, die Hilfeleistung. Imagine assistance as a typically feminine nurturing act (though anyone can provide it!).

For the meaning: Break it down: Hilfe means help, and Leistung means performance, provision, or act. So, Hilfeleistung is literally the 'act of providing help' or 'assistance rendered'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words: Be cautious with Dienstleistung – it often implies a business transaction, whereas Hilfeleistung can also be selfless.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer um Hilfeleistung gebeten?
Weil er zu viele Fenster offen hatte und einen Zug bekam! 💨💻

(Why did the computer ask for assistance?
Because it had too many windows open and caught a draft!)

📜 Poem about Hilfeleistung

Ein Ruf erklingt, ganz leis und schwach,
Ein Mensch in Not, liegt darnieder, ach.
Da kommt ein Herz, mit Mut und Kraft,
Die Hilfeleistung, die Gutes schafft.

Nicht zögern lang, nicht abseits steh'n,
Den Nächsten sehen, ihn verstehen.
Eine Hand gereicht, ein Wort, ein Blick,
Bringt oft zurück das Lebensglück.

(A cry rings out, soft and weak,
A person in need, lying low, oh speak.
Then comes a heart, with courage and might,
The act of assistance, that creates good light.)

(Don't hesitate long, don't stand aside,
See your neighbor, understand inside.
A hand extended, a word, a gaze,
Often brings back life's happy phase.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Tun, kein bloßes Wort,
An manchem unglücksel'gen Ort.
Man leistet mich, wenn Not entsteht,
Mein Fehlen manchmal vor Gericht geht.
Was bin ich?

(I am an action, not just a word,
At many an unfortunate location heard.
I am rendered when need arises,
My absence sometimes faces legal surprises.
What am I?)

Solution: Die Hilfeleistung (Assistance / Aid)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word Hilfeleistung is a compound noun, formed from:

• Hilfe: (Help, aid, support)
• Leistung: (Performance, provision, rendering, act)

Together, the meaning becomes "the act of helping" or "the rendering of assistance".

Legal Significance:

As mentioned earlier, the term unterlassene Hilfeleistung (failure to render assistance) has significant legal relevance in Germany (under § 323c of the Criminal Code - StGB). It describes the criminal liability of someone who fails to help in accidents or emergencies when it is necessary and reasonable for them to do so.