die
Rezession
📉 What does "die Rezession" mean?
Die Rezession (feminine, plural: die Rezessionen) refers to a period of economic downturn or decline. Technically, it's often defined as two consecutive quarters of negative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth compared to the previous quarter.
It's a key term in economics (Wirtschaft) and politics (Politik) because a Rezession often leads to unemployment (Arbeitslosigkeit), falling incomes (sinkende Einkommen), and business bankruptcies (Unternehmenspleiten).
⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse it with a Depression, which is an even more severe and prolonged economic downturn.
📚 Grammar of "Rezession" in Detail
The word "Rezession" is a feminine noun. The article is die.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Rezession |
| Genitive | der | Rezession |
| Dative | der | Rezession |
| Accusative | die | Rezession |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Rezessionen |
| Genitive | der | Rezessionen |
| Dative | den | Rezessionen |
| Accusative | die | Rezessionen |
Note: The plural "Rezessionen" is used when talking about multiple, distinct periods of economic downturn.
Example Sentences
- Die aktuelle Rezession trifft viele Branchen hart. (The current recession is hitting many sectors hard.)
- Die Regierung versucht, die Folgen der Rezession abzumildern. (The government is trying to mitigate the consequences of the recession.)
- Experten diskutieren über die Ursachen früherer Rezessionen. (Experts are discussing the causes of previous recessions.)
💡 How is "Rezession" used?
The term "Rezession" is primarily used in economic and political contexts.
- Economic News: In reports about the economic cycle (Konjunktur), GDP growth, the labor market (Arbeitsmarkt). Example: "Deutschland rutscht in die Rezession." (Germany is slipping into recession.)
- Political Debates: Discussions about measures to stimulate the economy. Example: "Die Opposition kritisiert das Krisenmanagement der Regierung während der Rezession." (The opposition criticizes the government's crisis management during the recession.)
- Everyday Language: Less common, but sometimes used generally to describe difficult economic times. Example: "Wegen der Rezession müssen wir dieses Jahr sparen." (Because of the recession, we have to save money this year.)
Typical Collocations:
- in eine Rezession rutschen/geraten (to slip/fall into a recession)
- sich in einer Rezession befinden (to be in a recession)
- eine Rezession überwinden/bekämpfen (to overcome/fight a recession)
- die Folgen einer Rezession spüren (to feel the effects of a recession)
- eine tiefe/milde/technische Rezession (a deep/mild/technical recession)
🧠 Mnemonics for Rezession
Article Aid: Many German nouns ending in "-ion" are feminine (die), like die Aktion (action), die Nation (nation), die Diskussion (discussion) – and also die Rezession. Think of the "-ion" ending as needing the feminine article 'die', like saying "She (die) is causing a commotion (-ion)".
Meaning Aid: Re- often means "back" or "again" (like in return). -zession sounds a bit like "session" or "procession". Imagine the economy is having a sad procession going backwards – that's a Rezession.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Rezession
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Der Abschwung: General economic slowdown.
- Die Konjunkturflaute / Das Konjunkturtief: Economic slump / low point in the economic cycle.
- Die Wirtschaftskrise: Economic crisis (often broader than Rezession, but can be used synonymously).
- Der Rückgang: Decline, decrease (here: economic decline).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Der Aufschwung: Economic upswing, recovery.
- Der Boom / Die Hochkonjunktur: Economic boom / peak economic activity.
- Die Expansion: Expansion phase (growth).
- Das Wirtschaftswachstum: Economic growth.
Similar, but different terms:
- Die Depression: A long-lasting, severe recession.
- Die Stagflation: Combination of stagnation (little growth) and inflation (rising prices).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Ökonomen einen Regenschirm mit zur Arbeit, auch wenn die Sonne scheint?
Weil sie immer mit einer Rezession rechnen! ☂️📉
(Why do economists take an umbrella to work even when the sun is shining?
Because they always expect a recession!)
📜 Poem about Recession
Die Zahlen rot, die Stimmung mau,
die Wirtschaft hustet, grau in grau.
Die Rezession, ein kalter Wind,
der durch die leeren Kassen rinnt.
Doch nach dem Tal, so lehrt die Zeit,
kommt neuer Aufschwung, weit und breit.
(Numbers red, the mood is low,
The economy coughs, a dreary show.
The recession, a cold breeze,
Flowing through empty treasuries.
But after the valley, time does tell,
A new upswing will soon compel.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich komme leis', oft unerkannt,
und drücke Firmen an die Wand.
Zwei Quartale geh' ich gern zurück,
bring' Sorgenfalten, Stück für Stück.
Man hofft stets, dass ich schnell vergeh',
bin wirtschaftliches Ach und Weh.
Was bin ich?
(Lösung: Die Rezession)
(I come quietly, often unseen,
Pushing companies to a tight scene.
Two quarters back is where I reside,
Bringing worry lines, nowhere to hide.
They always hope I'll quickly pass,
I'm economic woe, alas.
What am I?)
(Answer: The Recession / die Rezession)
ℹ️ More Information about die Rezession...
Word Origin: The word "Rezession" comes from the Latin word "recessio", meaning "a going back" or "retreat" (from recedere = to go back, withdraw).
Technical Definition: As mentioned, the definition of two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth (compared to the previous quarter) is often used. However, other definitions exist that might place more emphasis on factors like the labor market or industrial production.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Rezession?
The correct article for Rezession is die. It is a feminine noun (die Rezession, der Rezession, die Rezessionen) describing an economic downturn.