die  Leistung

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlaɪstʊŋ/

📖 What exactly does "die Leistung" mean?

The noun die Leistung is a versatile word in German. It generally describes the result of an effort or process. Here are the main meanings:

• Performance/Result: The outcome of work or an activity. Example: Die schulische Leistung des Kindes hat sich verbessert. (The child's academic performance has improved.)
• Achievement/Deed: A completed task or a success. Example: Der Bau der Brücke war eine technische Leistung. (The construction of the bridge was a technical achievement.)
• Capacity/Power (often technical): The ability of a machine or system to perform work, often measured per unit of time (e.g., in HP or Watts). Example: Die Leistung des Motors ist beeindruckend. (The engine's power/performance is impressive.)
• (Financial) Benefit/Payment/Service: A payment or service provided under a contract or obligation (e.g., Versicherungsleistung - insurance benefit, Sozialleistung - social benefit). Example: Die Versicherung erbringt die vereinbarte Leistung im Schadensfall. (The insurance provides the agreed-upon benefit/service in case of damage.)
• Ability/Capability: The general capacity to do or accomplish something. Example: Seine körperliche Leistung ließ nach. (His physical performance/capability declined.)

🚨 It's important to consider the context to understand the precise meaning of "Leistung".

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Leistung" in Detail

Die Leistung is a feminine noun. Like most nouns ending in "-ung", it uses the article "die".

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Leistung der Mannschaft war heute unterdurchschnittlich.
   (The team's performance was below average today.)
2. Wir würdigen seine herausragenden Leistungen für das Unternehmen.
   (We acknowledge his outstanding achievements for the company.)
3. Die maximale Leistung des Kraftwerks beträgt 500 Megawatt.
   (The maximum power output of the power plant is 500 megawatts.)
4. Welche Leistungen sind in diesem Versicherungspaket enthalten?
   (Which benefits/services are included in this insurance package?)
5. Ihre tägliche Leistung im Job ist enorm.
   (Her daily performance/output at work is enormous.)

💡 How to use "die Leistung"?

"Leistung" is used in many different contexts:

• Work & Profession: Arbeitsleistung (work performance), Leistungsbeurteilung (performance appraisal), leistungsgerechte Bezahlung (performance-related pay).
• Sports: sportliche Leistung (athletic performance), Leistungsdruck (pressure to perform), Leistungssport (competitive sports).
• Technology & Physics: Motorleistung (engine power), elektrische Leistung (electrical power - Watts), Rechenleistung (computing power).
• Economy & Finance: Dienstleistung (service), Versicherungsleistung (insurance benefit), Sozialleistung (social benefit), Leistung und Gegenleistung (performance and return consideration/service and counter-service).
• Education: schulische Leistung (academic performance), Leistungsnachweis (proof of achievement), Leistungskurs (advanced course).
• Medicine & Health: körperliche Leistungsfähigkeit (physical capacity/performance), Diagnoseleistung (diagnostic service/performance).

Context is key: Without context, "Leistung" can be ambiguous. "Seine Leistung war gut" (His performance was good) could refer to sports, work, or school.

Distinction from similar words:

• Ergebnis (result): Often emphasizes the final product more than the process.
• Erfolg (success): Has a more positive connotation than Leistung, which can also be neutral or negatively evaluated (e.g., "schwache Leistung" - weak performance).
• Kraft (power/strength): Refers more to physical or mechanical strength, whereas Leistung is often the result of applying that strength over time or achieving a specific outcome.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Leistung"

For the article (die):
Almost all German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die). Think of: die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Zeitung (newspaper)... and, of course, die Leistung! It's the regulation! 😉 (Okay, the rhyme doesn't quite work in English, but the -ung -> die rule is solid!)

For the meaning:
Think of the English word "render" (as in to render a service) or "achieve". What you can afford (sich leisten) or what you achieve/perform (leisten) is die Leistung. Whether it's a payment/benefit (Geld-Leistung) or an achievement (Tat-Leistung), it comes from doing/providing something.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful with Dienstleistung: This is a specific type of Leistung (service), not a general synonym.

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Was halten Sie von leistungsgerechter Bezahlung?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Prinzipiell eine gute Idee, aber ich möchte trotzdem genug verdienen!"

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "What do you think of performance-related pay (leistungsgerechter Bezahlung)?"
The employee replies: "In principle, a good idea, but I'd still like to earn enough!"

✍️ A Poem about Leistung

Die Leistung, sie zeigt, was man kann,
Ob bei der Arbeit, Frau oder Mann.
Mal ist sie hoch, mal ist sie tief,
Ein Motor schnurrt, ein Läufer lief.

Sie wird gemessen, wird bezahlt,
Ein Bild, das unser Tun bemalt.
Von Muskelkraft bis zum Computer-Chip,
Die Leistung gibt den letzten Kick.

Translation:
Performance, it shows what one can do,
Whether at work, woman or man too.
Sometimes it's high, sometimes it's low,
An engine purrs, a runner did go.

It is measured, it is paid,
A picture that our actions portrayed.
From muscle power to a computer chip,
Performance gives the final zip.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Maß für das, was du schaffst,
Ob mit Verstand oder mit Muskelkraft.
Manchmal bin ich Lohn für deine Müh',
Manchmal die Power früh bis früh.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a measure of what you create,
With mind or muscle, early or late.
Sometimes I'm the reward for your strain,
Sometimes the power again and again.

What am I?

Solution: die Leistung (performance/power/achievement/benefit)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Formation (Composition):

The word "Leistung" is composed of:

• The stem of the verb leisten: This verb originally meant "to follow a track" but evolved to mean "to obey, fulfill, accomplish" and also "to be able to afford something".
• The suffix -ung: This suffix is frequently used to turn verbs into nouns (nominalization). Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Examples: *warnen (to warn) -> die Warnung (the warning), hoffen (to hope) -> die Hoffnung (the hope)*.

Cultural Aspects: In Germany, the concept of "Leistung" often holds significant importance, reflected in the term "Leistungsgesellschaft" (performance-oriented society). Performance is often viewed as a key value, evident in terms like "Leistungsprinzip" (principle of achievement) or "Leistungsdruck" (pressure to perform).