die
Kurzarbeit
💼 What Exactly is "die Kurzarbeit"?
Die Kurzarbeit refers to a temporary reduction of the regular working hours in a company. This happens due to a significant loss of work caused by economic reasons or an unavoidable event. The main goal of Kurzarbeit is to avoid layoffs and secure jobs by reducing personnel costs for the employer.
During Kurzarbeit, affected employees receive a so-called Kurzarbeitergeld (short-time work allowance) from the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), which compensates for part of the lost wages. Introducing Kurzarbeit requires meeting specific conditions and is often used during difficult economic times or unforeseen crises (like the COVID-19 pandemic).
There is only this one meaning and the article is always die. 🚨 Confusion is rare as the term is very specific.
📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Kurzarbeit
The word "Kurzarbeit" is feminine, hence it uses the article die. It's an abstract noun, usually used in the singular without an article or with the definite article. A plural form ("die Kurzarbeiten") is very uncommon and rarely used, perhaps only when referring to different specific instances or periods of short-time work.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kurzarbeit |
| Genitive | der | Kurzarbeit |
| Dative | der | Kurzarbeit |
| Accusative | die | Kurzarbeit |
📝 Example Sentences
- Unser Betrieb musste leider Kurzarbeit anmelden.
(Unfortunately, our company had to register for short-time work.) - Wegen der Kurzarbeit erhalten die Mitarbeiter weniger Gehalt.
(Because of the short-time work, the employees receive less salary.) - Viele Unternehmen profitieren von der Kurzarbeit als Instrument zur Krisenbewältigung.
(Many companies benefit from short-time work as a tool for crisis management.) - Die Regierung hat die Regeln für die Kurzarbeit angepasst.
(The government has adjusted the rules for short-time work.)
💡 How "Kurzarbeit" is Used
The term die Kurzarbeit is firmly established in German labor and economic law. It is primarily used in the following contexts:
- Economic Crises: When companies have less work due to a poor order situation or recession.
- Unavoidable Events: In cases of natural disasters, pandemics, or supply chain disruptions that severely limit production or service delivery.
- Political Discussions: In the context of labor market policies and government aid.
- Company News: When companies register for or end Kurzarbeit.
In everyday language, affected employees often talk about "in Kurzarbeit sein" (being on short-time work) or having to "Kurzarbeit machen" (do short-time work). The term is very specific and rarely used metaphorically.
🧠 Mnemonics for Kurzarbeit
Article Mnemonic: Think of "die Arbeit" (the work). Since "Kurzarbeit" ends in "-arbeit" and "die Arbeit" is feminine, "die Kurzarbeit" is also feminine.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the Arbeit (work) is made kurz (short), meaning fewer hours. That's kurze Arbeit (short work) -> Kurzarbeit.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Arbeitszeitverkürzung: (Work time reduction) - A more general term, not necessarily state-subsidized like Kurzarbeit.
- Stempelgeld (obsolete, Swiss German): (Literally 'stamp money') - An old term for unemployment benefits, sometimes used in the context of work loss.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Vollarbeit / Vollzeitarbeit: (Full-time work) - Regular, unreduced working hours.
- Überstunden / Mehrarbeit: (Overtime) - Working beyond regular hours.
- Hochkonjunktur: (Economic boom) - Phase of economic upswing with high workload.
- Vollbeschäftigung: (Full employment) - State where (almost) everyone able to work is employed.
⚠️ Caution: "Teilzeitarbeit" (part-time work) is not Kurzarbeit. Part-time work is contractually agreed, permanently reduced working time, whereas Kurzarbeit is a temporary measure for employees with full contracts.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef: "Müller, warum kommen Sie schon wieder zu spät?"
Müller: "Wegen der Kurzarbeit, Chef. Ich versuche, meine Anwesenheitszeit so kurz wie möglich zu halten!"
Translation:
The boss asks: "Müller, why are you late again?"
Müller: "Because of the Kurzarbeit (short-time work), boss. I'm trying to keep my attendance time as short as possible!"
📜 A Poem About the Situation
Die Aufträge bleiben aus, die Hallen leer,
Entlassung droht, das Bangen wird mehr.
Doch dann der Plan, er ist bereit:
Der Rettungsanker: die Kurzarbeit.
Die Stunden schrumpfen, das Geld wird knapp,
Doch besser so, als der letzte Klapp'.
Man hofft auf Zeiten, hell und klar,
Bis dahin hilft sie, Jahr für Jahr.
Translation:
The orders cease, the halls are bare,
Layoffs loom, increasing fear.
But then the plan, it is prepared:
The lifeline: short-time work declared.
The hours shrink, the money's tight,
But better this than final blight.
One hopes for times both clear and bright,
Until then, it helps with all its might.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin da, wenn Arbeit fehlt im Haus,
helfe Firmen aus der Kris' heraus.
Stunden werden reduziert, der Lohn zum Teil ersetzt,
damit kein Job wird vorschnell verletzt.
Der Staat hilft mit, das ist bekannt.
Wie werd' ich im Arbeitsrecht genannt?
Translation:
I'm there when work is missing in the house,
Helping companies out of a crisis douse.
Hours are reduced, wages partly replaced,
So that no job is prematurely displaced.
The state assists, that is well-known.
What am I called in labor law shown?
Solution: Die Kurzarbeit
🧐 Additional Information
Word Composition: The word "Kurzarbeit" is a compound noun, formed from:
- kurz: (short) - Adjective meaning of little length or duration.
- die Arbeit: (work, labor) - Feminine noun, meaning activity, employment, effort.
Cultural Significance: Kurzarbeit is a very important labor market policy instrument in Germany with a long tradition. It is often seen as a means of socially cushioning economic crises and contributes to the stability of the labor market.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kurzarbeit?
The noun "Kurzarbeit" is feminine. The correct article is die Kurzarbeit. It is used to describe a temporary reduction in working hours within a company, often supported by government subsidies, known as short-time work.