die  Kündigungsfrist

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkʏndɪɡʊŋsˌfʁɪst/

What Does 'die Kündigungsfrist' Mean? 🗓️

Die Kündigungsfrist is the German term for the notice period. It refers to the legally or contractually defined period of time that must pass between the declaration of termination (Kündigung) of a contract (e.g., employment contract, rental agreement) and the actual end date of that contract.

The word is feminine, so the article is always die.

A distinction is often made between:

• Gesetzliche Kündigungsfrist: The statutory notice period prescribed by law (e.g., in the German Civil Code - BGB or the Protection Against Unfair Dismissal Act - Kündigungsschutzgesetz).
• Vertragliche Kündigungsfrist: The notice period agreed upon individually in the contract (usually, for employees, this cannot be shorter than the statutory period).

⚠️ Pay close attention to the notice periods specified in the contract or law to avoid legal disadvantages!

Grammar Deep Dive: Declining 'die Kündigungsfrist' 🧐

The noun "Kündigungsfrist" is feminine.

Example Sentences

1. Die gesetzliche Kündigungsfrist beträgt vier Wochen zum Monatsende.
   (The statutory notice period is four weeks to the end of the month.)
2. Bitte beachten Sie die vertraglich vereinbarte Kündigungsfrist.
   (Please note the contractually agreed notice period.)
3. Während der Probezeit gelten oft kürzere Kündigungsfristen.
   (During the probationary period, shorter notice periods often apply.)

How and When to Use 'Kündigungsfrist' ✍️

The term Kündigungsfrist is central in German labor law (Arbeitsrecht) and tenancy law (Mietrecht), but also applies to other long-term contracts (e.g., subscriptions, memberships).

• In Arbeitsverträgen (Employment Contracts): It regulates how long an employee or employer must remain with/employ the other party after notice has been given. These periods can increase with the length of service (Betriebszugehörigkeit).
• In Mietverträgen (Rental Agreements): It determines how much advance notice tenants or landlords must provide when terminating the tenancy. For tenants, it is usually three months.
• For Services: Notice periods (Kündigungsfristen) must also be observed for mobile phone contracts, gym memberships, etc., to terminate the contract correctly.

It's important to distinguish between the Kündigungserklärung (the act of giving notice) and the Ablauf der Kündigungsfrist (the expiry of the notice period, i.e., the actual contract end date).

Mnemonics to Remember 'Kündigungsfrist' 🧠

Article Mnemonic: 'Frist' (period, deadline) is a feminine noun in German (die Frist). Since Kündigungsfrist ends with '-frist', it inherits the feminine gender. Think: The deadline (Frist) determines the end -> die Kündigungsfrist.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Kündigung (termination/notice) + -s- (linking sound) + Frist (period/deadline). It literally means the "period for the notice" – the time you have to wait after giving notice.

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Terms 🔄

Related Terms

• Kündigungsschutz: Protection against dismissal (laws protecting employees).
• Kündigungsschreiben: Letter of termination/notice.
• Probezeit: Probationary period (often with shorter Kündigungsfristen).

A Little Chuckle About Deadlines 😂

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Kennen Sie unsere Kündigungsfrist?"
Mitarbeiter: "Klar! Sobald ich Sie kommen sehe, bin ich weg!"

(Boss asks the new employee: "Do you know our notice period?"
Employee: "Sure! As soon as I see you coming, I'm gone!")

'Kündigungsfrist' in Verse 🎤

Ob Job, ob Wohnung, altbekannt,
Die Kündigung kommt per Post ins Land.
Doch halt, nicht gleich ist alles aus,
Die Frist läuft erst, dann ist der Graus
Ganz offiziell und bequem.
Die Kündigungsfrist, merk sie dir gut,
Sonst fehlt am Ende noch der Mut,
Den Neustart richtig anzugehen,
Drum lass die Frist nicht übersehen!

(Whether job or flat, well-known,
The notice arrives, sent to your home.
But wait, it's not over right away,
The period runs first, then ends the fray
(Or joy begins, depending on the view)
Officially, and smoothly too.
The notice period, note it well,
Or courage might begin to quell,
To tackle the new start ahead,
So don't overlook the time instead!)

What Am I? A Riddle 🤔

Ich bin ein Zeitraum, keine Person,
Steh oft im Vertrag, das ist mein Lohn.
Ich starte, wenn ein Ende naht,
Und sag', wie lang man warten hat.
Ob Arbeit oder Miete fein,
Man muss mich stets beachten sein.

Wer bin ich?
... Die Kündigungsfrist

(I am a period of time, not a person,
Often in contracts, that's my guerdon.
I start when an end is drawing near,
And say how long one must wait here.
Whether work or rent, it's true,
You must always pay attention to...

What am I?
... The notice period (die Kündigungsfrist))

Trivia and Background Info 🤓

Word Composition

The word "Kündigungsfrist" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Die Kündigung: Termination, notice (noun derived from the verb "kündigen" - to terminate, give notice).
• -s-: A linking element (Fugen-s), common in German compounds.
• Die Frist: Period, deadline, time limit.

Together, it signifies: The period/deadline to be observed upon termination.

Legal Context

The specific regulations concerning Kündigungsfristen are complex and primarily found in the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch - BGB) for general contracts and rental agreements (§ 573c BGB), and in the Protection Against Unfair Dismissal Act (Kündigungsschutzgesetz - KSchG) and § 622 BGB for employment contracts. Collective bargaining agreements (Tarifverträge) or individual employment contracts may stipulate different, often longer, notice periods.