die  Konkurrenz

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔnkuˈʁɛnts/

🌍 What does "die Konkurrenz" mean?

The German word die Konkurrenz primarily has two meanings:

1. Competition (the state of competing): It describes the situation of rivalry between individuals, companies, or groups pursuing the same goal or competing for the same resources. It's about striving to be better or more successful than others.
   Example: Die Konkurrenz auf dem Smartphone-Markt ist sehr hart. (The competition in the smartphone market is very tough.)
2. The competitors (often used collectively, sometimes plural): It can also refer to the person(s) or company/companies acting as competitors.
   Example (Singular collective): Die Konkurrenz schläft nicht. (The competition doesn't sleep. - Meaning: The competitors are active.)
   Example (Plural): Wir müssen unsere Konkurrenzen genau analysieren. (We need to analyze our competitors precisely. ⚠️ Note: The plural *Konkurrenzen* is rather rare and usually refers to specific individual competitors, while *die Konkurrenz* is often used as a collective noun.)

It is a feminine noun, hence always die Konkurrenz.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "die Konkurrenz" in Detail

"Konkurrenz" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

💡 Example Sentences

• Die starke Konkurrenz treibt die Preise nach unten.
  (The strong competition drives prices down.)
• Unsere Firma beobachtet die internationale Konkurrenz genau.
  (Our company closely monitors the international competition/competitors.)
• Er fürchtet die Konkurrenz durch neue Anbieter.
  (He fears the competition from new providers.)
• Sie konnte sich gegen die starke Konkurrenz durchsetzen.
  (She managed to prevail against the strong competition/competitors.)
• Die verschiedenen Konkurrenzen auf dem Markt erfordern unterschiedliche Strategien.
  (The various competitors/competitive situations in the market require different strategies. - Rare plural form)

🗣️ How to Use "Konkurrenz"

"Die Konkurrenz" is a very common word, especially in economic and sports contexts.

• Economy/Business: Used to talk about competition between companies for market share, customers, or resources. (e.g., "Die Konkurrenz belebt das Geschäft." - Competition stimulates business.)
• Sports: Athletes or teams are in Konkurrenz with each other. (e.g., "Die Konkurrenz im Finale war extrem stark." - The competition in the final was extremely strong.)
• Workplace: There can also be Konkurrenz between colleagues for positions or recognition. (e.g., "Es herrscht eine gesunde Konkurrenz im Team." - There is healthy competition within the team.)
• Everyday Life: Generally describes any situation where multiple parties vie for something.

Distinction from "Wettbewerb": Often, "Konkurrenz" and "Wettbewerb" are synonyms. However, "Wettbewerb" can sound slightly more formal or refer specifically to an organized event (e.g., a music competition - Musikwettbewerb), while "Konkurrenz" more frequently denotes the general state of rivalry or the group of competitors.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Konkurrenz"

For the article "die": Think of words ending in "-ence" in English, like "intelligence" or "presence". Many German nouns ending in "-enz" are feminine (die), like die Konkurrenz. Imagine DIE Queen facing her rivals (Konkurrenz).

For the meaning "competition/competitors": Imagine two runners concurrently (Konkurrenz) racing towards the finish line – they are in competition, they are each other's Konkurrenz.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Although "Wettbewerb" is often synonymous, context might favor one word over the other.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie am Wettbewerb teil?
Weil sie nicht den nötigen Körper für die Konkurrenz haben!

--- English Translation ---

Why do skeletons never enter competitions?
Because they don't have the body for the competition! (A pun on "Körper" - body, and the idea of not being physically up to the competition).

🎤 Poem about Competition

Am Markt, da tobt sie, wild und frei,
Die Konkurrenz, ist stets dabei.
Mal spornt sie an, mal macht sie Druck,
Verlangt den besten Schachzug, Stück für Stück.
Ob Preis, ob Qualität, ob neuer Trend,
Wer nicht mithält, der hat's verpennt.
Doch manchmal, aus dem harten Streit,
Entsteht die beste, neue Zeit.

--- English Translation ---

In the market, it rages, wild and free,
Die Konkurrenz (The competition), always there to be.
Sometimes it spurs, sometimes applies stress,
Demands the best move, requires finesse.
Whether price, or quality, or a new trend's flight,
Who doesn't keep up, has missed the light.
But sometimes, from the hardest fight,
The best new era comes to light.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich treibe Preise.
Ich habe keine Arme, doch ich sporne an zu Höchstleistung auf die Reise.
Ich kann ein Zustand sein, doch auch die Anderen auf dem Feld.
Manchmal bin ich hart, manchmal belebe ich die Welt.

Was bin ich?

--- English Translation ---

I have no voice, yet I drive prices.
I have no arms, yet I spur peak performance on the journey.
I can be a state, but also the others in the field.
Sometimes I am harsh, sometimes I invigorate the world.

What am I?

Solution: die Konkurrenz (competition)

✨ Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Konkurrenz" comes from the Latin verb concurrere, which means "to run together", "to meet", or also "to clash", "to fight". This original meaning of meeting and potential conflict is well reflected in its current usage.

Compound Words (Komposita): Konkurrenz is often part of compound nouns, e.g.:

• Der Konkurrenzkampf (competitive struggle/fight)
• Der Konkurrenzdruck (competitive pressure)
• Die Konkurrenzanalyse (competitor analysis)
• Konkurrenzfähig (competitive - adjective)
• Ein Konkurrenzprodukt (a competing product)