die
Investition
💰 What does 'die Investition' mean?
Die Investition (feminine, plural: die Investitionen) generally means investment. It refers to the use of capital (money or other resources) with the aim of achieving a return or benefit in the future. It's about allocating funds long-term in a way that creates added value.
Typical examples include buying stocks (Aktien), real estate (Immobilien), machinery for a company (Maschinen für ein Unternehmen), or investing in education (Investition in Bildung).
Because the word ends in -ion, like many such nouns in German, it is feminine (feminin). There are no exceptions regarding the article.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Investition
The noun „Investition“ is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Investition |
| Genitive | der | Investition |
| Dative | der | Investition |
| Accusative | die | Investition |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Investitionen |
| Genitive | der | Investitionen |
| Dative | den | Investitionen |
| Accusative | die | Investitionen |
Example Sentences
- Die Firma plant eine große Investition in neue Technologien.
(The company is planning a large investment in new technologies.) - Bildung ist eine wichtige Investition in die Zukunft.
(Education is an important investment in the future.) - Die Rendite dieser Investition war höher als erwartet.
(The return on this investment was higher than expected.) - Viele kleine Investitionen können über die Zeit zu einem Vermögen anwachsen.
(Many small investments can grow into a fortune over time.)
📊 How to Use 'die Investition'
The term Investition is primarily used in economic (wirtschaftlich) and financial (finanziell) contexts. It describes the targeted use of resources to generate future profit or benefit.
- Business/Economy: Companies make Investitionen in machinery, buildings, research, and development.
- Finance: Individuals and institutions invest (investieren) in stocks, bonds, funds, or real estate.
- Figurative Sense: One can also speak of an Investition in education, health, or relationships when dedicating time or effort for future benefit.
Distinction: An Investition usually aims for long-term value appreciation or benefit, whereas Spekulation (speculation) seeks short-term profits from price fluctuations and is often riskier. Konsum (consumption), on the other hand, refers to the use of goods and services without a primary profit motive.
Common verbs: eine Investition tätigen/machen (to make an investment), planen (to plan); in etwas investieren (to invest in something).
🧠 Memory Aids for Investition
Article Aid: Many German nouns ending in -ion are feminine (feminin), just like die Nation (nation), die Aktion (action), die Station (station) – and also die Investition. Remember the 'feminine' ending!
Meaning Aid: Imagine putting on a valuable vest (in-VEST-ment / In-VEST-ition) that will make you rich in the future. You're putting something valuable (money/time) into it = investment.
↔️ Opposites and Alternatives
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- die Anlage: Often synonymous, especially in finance (Geldanlage = financial investment), but can be broader (e.g., Parkanlage = park grounds).
- die Kapitalanlage: Very specific to financial investments.
- der Aufwand: Can be an investment (e.g., Zeitaufwand = time investment for education), but often more general for 'effort' or 'expenditure'.
- die Geldausgabe (für etwas Langlebiges): Emphasizes the act of spending money for something with future value.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- die Desinvestition: Disinvestment; selling off assets, withdrawing capital.
- die Entnahme: Withdrawal; taking money or assets out of an estate or company.
- der Konsum: Consumption; using goods/services for immediate needs/wants.
- die Spekulation: Speculation; short-term, risky placement focusing on price differences.
⚠️ Caution: Not every expenditure (Geldausgabe) is an Investition. Buying a TV purely for entertainment is Konsum, buying one for a business (e.g., for presentations) could be an Investition.
😄 A Little Joke
Der Finanzberater fragt: „Und, haben Sie schon Pläne für Ihre nächste große Investition?“
(The financial advisor asks: "So, do you have plans for your next big investment?")
Antwortet der Kunde: „Ja! Ich kaufe mir morgen ein Rubbellos!“ 🎟️
(The client replies: "Yes! I'm buying a scratch ticket tomorrow!")
📜 Poem about Investment
Ein Euro hier, ein Euro dort,
(A Euro here, a Euro there,)
Klug eingesetzt an rechtem Ort.
(Wisely placed in the right spot.)
Die Zeit, sie wirkt, die Zinsen steigen,
(Time does its work, the interest rates rise,)
Aus kleinem Start kann Großes reifen.
(From a small start, great things can ripen.)
Geduld ist Trumpf, der Plan ist klar,
(Patience is key, the plan is clear,)
Die Investition wird wunderbar!
(The investment will turn out wonderfully!)
🧩 What am I?
Ich bin ein Einsatz heut' für morgen,
(I am a commitment today for tomorrow,)
Soll Nutzen bringen, statt nur Sorgen.
(Meant to bring benefit, instead of just worries.)
Mal Geld, mal Zeit, mal auch Verstand,
(Sometimes money, sometimes time, sometimes intellect,)
Gebe ich in deine Hand.
(I place into your hand.)
Ich wachse gern, wenn man mich pflegt,
(I like to grow when I am nurtured,)
Und Zukunftsgewinn in mir hegt.
(And future profit is cherished within me.)
What am I? Solution: die Investition (the investment)
💡 Other Information
Word Origin: The word „Investition“ comes from the Latin verb investire, which originally meant „to clothe“ or „to cover“. Figuratively, it came to mean the „installation“ or „appointment“ to an office, and later the „use“ of capital.
Typical Collocations (Word Combinations):
- eine Investition tätigen / machen (to make an investment)
- eine Investition planen (to plan an investment)
- eine langfristige/kurzfristige Investition (a long-term/short-term investment)
- eine rentable/lohnende Investition (a profitable/worthwhile investment)
- private/staatliche/unternehmerische Investitionen (private/state/corporate investments)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Investition?
The word Investition is feminine, so the correct article is die. It refers to the act of investing money or resources for future profit or benefit.