die
Offerte
📜 What exactly is 'die Offerte'?
Die Offerte (plural: die Offerten) is a formal, usually written offer or price quote, especially in a business context. It's a proposal made under specific conditions (Preis, Leistungsumfang, Lieferzeit etc. - price, scope of services, delivery time) addressed to a potential customer or business partner. If the recipient accepts die Offerte, a contract (ein Vertrag) is usually formed.
The word originates from the French offrir (to offer) and is often perceived as slightly more formal or specific than the more general German word das Angebot (the offer).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of 'die Offerte'
"Offerte" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Offerte | eine Offerte |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Offerte | einer Offerte |
| Dative (To whom?) | der Offerte | einer Offerte |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Offerte | eine Offerte |
Declension Plural
The plural is "die Offerten".
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Offerten |
| Genitive | der Offerten |
| Dative | den Offerten |
| Accusative | die Offerten |
📝 Example Sentences
- Bitte prüfen Sie die Offerte sorgfältig, bevor Sie zustimmen.
(Please check the offer carefully before you agree.) - Wir haben mehrere Offerten für das Bauprojekt eingeholt.
(We have obtained several quotes for the construction project.) - Der Preis in der Offerte ist für 30 Tage gültig.
(The price in the offer is valid for 30 days.) - Wir bedanken uns für Ihre Anfrage und senden Ihnen anbei eine Offerte.
(Thank you for your inquiry; we are sending you a quote attached.)
💼 When to use 'die Offerte'?
The term die Offerte is primarily used in a business and commercial environment. Typical situations include:
- A company submits a price proposal to a customer for goods or services.
- A craftsman creates a cost estimate for a repair or installation.
- In tendering processes (Ausschreibungen), quotes (Offerten) are solicited and compared from various providers.
Compared to das Angebot (the offer), die Offerte often sounds a bit more formal and specifically related to a concrete business transaction. In everyday language, "Angebot" is heard more frequently, while "Offerte" is more common in contracts, business letters, and formal negotiations.
⚠️ Depending on the industry and context, "Offerte" can sometimes be perceived as slightly dated or elevated language.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Offerte'
For the article 'die': Think of a formal business setting where she (feminine 'die') presents die Offerte. Or imagine a female secretary ('die Sekretärin') typing die Offerte.
For the meaning: Offerte sounds a bit like the English 'offer it' – a reminder that it represents an offer being made.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- Das Angebot: The most general word for a proposal to buy or use something.
- Der Kostenvoranschlag: Specifically an estimate of costs for a service or project.
- Der Preisvorschlag: A proposal regarding the price.
- Das Submissionsangebot: An offer submitted as part of a tender (Submission).
Antonyms (opposites/other side)
- Die Anfrage: The inquiry or request for an offer or quote.
- Die Bestellung / Der Auftrag: The order; the acceptance of an offer; the act of buying/commissioning.
- Die Nachfrage: The demand for a product or service in the market (economic term).
Similar, but different words
- Die Affäre: Sounds vaguely similar, but means an affair (love affair) or a matter/business (be careful not to confuse!).
😂 A little Joke
Warum hat der Bäcker dem Zimmermann keine Offerte geschickt?
Weil er dachte, der Zimmermann sucht nur nach 'nem Brett vor dem Kopf!
(Why didn't the baker send the carpenter an offer?
Because he thought the carpenter was just looking for 'a board in front of his head'! - German idiom for being dense/obtuse)
✍️ Poem about 'die Offerte'
Ein Blatt Papier, ganz fein,
soll die Offerte sein.
Mit Zahlen, klar und schlicht,
verspricht sie gutes Licht.
Der Preis, die Frist, die Ware,
alles steht drin, das Wahre.
Nimmt man sie an, mit Bedacht, ist ein Geschäft gemacht.
(A sheet of paper, very fine,
shall be the offer divine.
With numbers, clear and plain,
it promises good gain.
The price, the deadline, the goods,
all within, understood.
If accepted, with thought,
a business deal is wrought.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Schreiben, oft per Mail geschickt,
hab Preise und Details geschickt verstrickt.
Im Business bin ich sehr begehrt,
wer mich annimmt, hat oft was Gutes erfährt.
Was bin ich?
(I am a document, often sent by mail,
with prices and details cleverly veiled.
In business, I am highly sought,
accepting me often brings something well-bought.
What am I?)
Solution: die Offerte
💡 Other Information
Word Origin: As mentioned, "Offerte" comes from the French verb offrir, meaning "to offer". This explains its slightly more formal character in German.
International Usage: The word or related forms also exist in other languages, often with a similar meaning in a business context (e.g., English 'offer', Italian 'offerta'). Using die Offerte signals a certain level of formality in business communication.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Offerte?
The noun "Offerte" is feminine, so the correct article is always die Offerte. It refers to a formal (usually written) offer or price quote, primarily used in a business context.