die
Spendenbereitschaft
🤔 What does "die Spendenbereitschaft" mean?
Die Spendenbereitschaft is a feminine German noun that translates to the willingness or readiness to donate. It describes the propensity of an individual, a group, or society as a whole to give financial resources, goods, or time for charitable purposes or to support others.
It's a compound noun formed from:
- Die Spende (the donation): The gift itself (money, clothes, etc.).
- Die Bereitschaft (the readiness, willingness): The will or inclination to do something.
So, it literally means the readiness to donate. The word is often used in contexts like donation appeals (Spendenaufrufe), disaster relief (Katastrophenhilfe), or social studies.
🚨 There's only this one article (die) and this one meaning. Confusion is unlikely.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ft/ -schaft → almost always feminine.
All -schaft nouns are feminine, but not all -ft nouns are.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Spendenbereitschaft
The word "Spendenbereitschaft" is a feminine noun. It is generally used only in the singular because it describes an abstract concept. A plural form ("die Spendenbereitschaften") is grammatically possible but very uncommon.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | eine | Spendenbereitschaft |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | einer | Spendenbereitschaft |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | einer | Spendenbereitschaft |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | eine | Spendenbereitschaft |
Example Sentences
- Die Spendenbereitschaft der Bevölkerung war nach der Flutkatastrophe enorm.
(The population's willingness to donate was enormous after the flood disaster.) - Wir appellieren an Ihre Spendenbereitschaft, um den Kindern in Not zu helfen.
(We appeal to your willingness to donate to help the children in need.) - Studien untersuchen die Faktoren, die die Spendenbereitschaft beeinflussen.
(Studies investigate the factors that influence the willingness to donate.) - Ohne die hohe Spendenbereitschaft vieler Bürger wäre das Projekt nicht möglich gewesen.
(Without the high willingness to donate from many citizens, the project would not have been possible.)
🗣️ Everyday Usage
"Die Spendenbereitschaft" is primarily used in more formal contexts, especially when discussing social issues, charity, fundraising, or the economic aspects of giving.
- News & Reports: Often found in reports about disaster relief, social projects, or surveys on donation behaviour ("Die Spendenbereitschaft ist gesunken/gestiegen" – The willingness to donate has decreased/increased).
- Donation Appeals (Spendenaufrufe): Organizations appeal to the Spendenbereitschaft of potential donors.
- Social Sciences: Used in studies and discussions about altruism, philanthropy, and social engagement.
Difference from "die Spende": While "die Spende" refers to the concrete donation (e.g., 10 euros, a bag of clothes), "die Spendenbereitschaft" means the general attitude or abstract willingness to donate.
Example: "Dank der hohen Spendenbereitschaft (willingness to donate) kamen viele Spenden (donations) zusammen." - Thanks to the high willingness to donate, many donations were collected.
🧠 Mnemonics & Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic (die)
Think of the base word: It's "die Bereitschaft" (the readiness). Since the base word is feminine, "die Spendenbereitschaft" is also feminine. Bereitschaft dictates the gender!
🔄 Similar & Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Die Hilfsbereitschaft: Willingness to help (more general than just donating).
- Die Großzügigkeit: Generosity (willingness to give gladly and often).
- Die Wohltätigkeit: Charity, beneficence (the act of doing good, often organized).
- Die Freigebigkeit: Generosity, open-handedness.
- Der Altruismus: Altruism (selfless consideration for others, the basis for willingness to donate).
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Der Geiz: Stinginess, avarice (unwillingness to give).
- Der Egoismus: Egoism, selfishness.
- Die Gleichgültigkeit: Indifference (lack of concern for others).
- Die Knauserigkeit: Pennypinching, stinginess (often with small amounts).
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse "Spendenbereitschaft" (the willingness to donate) with "Spendenaufkommen" (the total amount of donations received).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Spendensammler: "Haben Sie etwas für das Altersheim übrig?"
Antwortet der Geizhals: "Ja, meine Schwiegermutter! Aber ich weiß nicht, ob die Ihre Spendenbereitschaft wirklich fördert..." 😉
Translation:
The charity collector asks: "Do you have anything left over for the retirement home?"
The miser replies: "Yes, my mother-in-law! But I don't know if she really encourages your willingness to donate..." 😉
📜 Poem about Spendenbereitschaft
Ein Funke im Herzen, so zart und so rein,
lässt uns für den Nächsten bereitwillig sein.
Nicht Reichtum allein zählt, nicht Gold oder Macht,
die Spendenbereitschaft hat Wunder vollbracht.
Ein Teilen, ein Geben, mit offenem Sinn,
bringt Hoffnung und Freude und tiefen Gewinn.
Translation:
A spark in the heart, so tender and pure,
makes us willingly be there for our neighbour's lure.
Not wealth alone counts, not gold or might,
the willingness to donate has brought wonders to light.
A sharing, a giving, with an open mind,
brings hope and joy and deep gain to find.
🧩 Riddle for Clever Minds
Ich bin kein Geld, doch ich helfe es zu geben.
Ich bin kein Gefühl, doch im Herzen kann ich leben.
Man misst mich in Umfragen, nach Not oder Brand,
ich zeige die Güte im ganzen Land.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am not money, yet I help it to be given.
I am not a feeling, yet in the heart I can liven.
I'm measured in surveys, after need or fire's command,
I show the kindness throughout the land.
What am I?
(Answer: die Spendenbereitschaft / the willingness to donate)
💡 Interesting Tidbits
Word Composition
The word "Spendenbereitschaft" is a classic example of German word composition (Kompositum):
- Spenden (from the verb "spenden" - to donate)
- -n- (Fugen-n, a linking element)
- Bereitschaft (noun from "bereit" - ready, willing; meaning readiness, willingness)
Cultural Context
In Germany, die Spendenbereitschaft is an important social indicator. It is often discussed after major events (like natural disasters) or during the pre-Christmas season. Various organizations regularly measure and analyze it.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Spendenbereitschaft?
The word "Spendenbereitschaft" is feminine. The correct article is die. So, it's die Spendenbereitschaft.