die
Mitarbeit
🤝 What does "die Mitarbeit" mean?
The noun die Mitarbeit describes the joint participation of several people in a task, project, or goal. It emphasizes active contribution and cooperation within a group or team.
Unlike 'Arbeit' (which generally describes an activity or work), 'Mitarbeit' focuses on the collaborative aspect of working.
There is only one article for this word: die.
📜 Grammar of "Mitarbeit" in Detail
The word "Mitarbeit" is a feminine noun. It is generally used only in the singular because it describes an abstract concept (the process of collaboration). A plural form ("die Mitarbeiten") is very uncommon and used only in rare, specific contexts to denote different types or instances of collaboration.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Mitarbeit |
| Genitive | der | Mitarbeit |
| Dative | der | Mitarbeit |
| Accusative | die | Mitarbeit |
Note: The plural is rare and usually not needed.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Mitarbeiten |
| Genitive | der | Mitarbeiten |
| Dative | den | Mitarbeiten |
| Accusative | die | Mitarbeiten |
Example Sentences:
- Die Mitarbeit aller Kollegen war entscheidend für den Erfolg.
The collaboration of all colleagues was crucial for success. - Wir danken Ihnen für Ihre wertvolle Mitarbeit.
We thank you for your valuable cooperation. - Ohne die Mitarbeit der Freiwilligen wäre das Fest nicht möglich gewesen.
Without the participation of the volunteers, the festival would not have been possible. - Die Universität fördert die Mitarbeit an Forschungsprojekten.
The university encourages participation in research projects.
🗣️ How is "Mitarbeit" used?
"Mitarbeit" is frequently used in professional, academic, or volunteer contexts. It describes:
- Collaboration within a team or department (e.g., "Die Mitarbeit im Projektteam war sehr produktiv." - The collaboration in the project team was very productive.).
- Participation in a common task (e.g., "Wir bitten um rege Mitarbeit bei der Organisation." - We ask for active participation in the organization.).
- A person's contribution to a joint effort (e.g., "Seine Mitarbeit an diesem Buch war von großer Bedeutung." - His contribution to this book was of great importance.).
- Sometimes also as a synonym for employment or position, especially in compound words like "Mitarbeitergespräch" (employee appraisal). However, the noun "Mitarbeit" itself primarily refers to cooperation.
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse "Mitarbeit" (the cooperation) with "Mitarbeiter" (the person who collaborates, the employee).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of the base word: "die Arbeit" (the work) is feminine. When you work with others ("mit-"), the article stays the same: die Mit-Arbeit.
Meaning Mnemonic: The prefix "Mit-" means "with" or "together". So, Mit-Arbeit = working together, cooperation.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Kooperation: Cooperation, emphasizes working together towards a goal.
- Zusammenarbeit: Collaboration, very similar to Mitarbeit, often interchangeable.
- Beteiligung: Participation, highlights active involvement.
- Mitwirkung: Contribution / Participation, emphasizes the individual's contribution to the whole.
- Teilnahme: Participation, more general than Mitarbeit, can also be passive.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Einzelarbeit: Individual work.
- Gegnerschaft: Opposition, antagonism.
- Obstruktion: Obstruction of joint work.
- Passivität: Passivity, lack of involvement.
Similar but potentially misleading words:
- Mitarbeiter/in (der/die): The employee or collaborator (the person).
- Arbeit (die): Work or job itself, not necessarily cooperative.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum werden Geheimnisse im Büro nie lange gehütet?
Wegen der regen Mitarbeit!
Translation:
Why are secrets never kept for long in the office?
Because of the active Mitarbeit (collaboration / wordplay implying 'working together' to spread information)!
✍️ Poem about Collaboration
Viele Hände, schnelles Ende,
so spricht man oft im Lande.
Die Mitarbeit, Hand in Hand,
knüpft ein starkes Band.
Einer allein kann vieles schaffen,
doch gemeinsam lässt sich's raffen.
Mit Denken, Tun und Kraft,
wird Großes angeschafft.
Translation:
Many hands make light work (lit. 'quick end'),
so they often say in the land.
Collaboration (die Mitarbeit), hand in hand,
ties a strong bond.
One alone can achieve much,
but together it can be gathered/done quickly.
With thought, action, and strength,
great things are accomplished.
🧩 Who or What Am I?
Ich bin kein Mensch, doch bring' sie zusammen,
für Projekte, Ziele, ernste und auch zum Schabernacken.
Ohne mich wär' manches Team verloren,
und große Werke blieben ungeboren.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Mitarbeit
Translation:
I am not a person, yet I bring them together,
for projects, goals, serious ones and also for pranks.
Without me, many a team would be lost,
and great works would remain unborn.
What am I?
Answer: die Mitarbeit (collaboration)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Mitarbeit" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Prefix mit-: Meaning "with", "together", "jointly".
- Noun Arbeit (die): Meaning "work", "job", "labor".
The feminine gender (die) is inherited from the base noun "Arbeit".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mitarbeit?
The German noun Mitarbeit is feminine. The correct article is die. So, it is always die Mitarbeit.