die  Teamfähigkeit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tiːmˈfɛːɪçkaɪ̯t/

🤝 What does "die Teamfähigkeit" mean?

Die Teamfähigkeit describes the competence or quality of a person to cooperate effectively and constructively within a group or team to achieve common goals. It's an important social skill (soziale Kompetenz), especially in professional life (Berufsleben).

It encompasses various aspects such as:

• Communication skills (Kommunikationsfähigkeit)
• Willingness to cooperate (Kooperationsbereitschaft)
• Ability to handle conflict (Konfliktfähigkeit)
• Reliability (Zuverlässigkeit)
• Empathy (Empathie)
• Willingness to compromise (Kompromissbereitschaft)

There is only one article, "die", because it refers to an ability (Fähigkeit). Many German nouns ending in -keit are feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of Teamfähigkeit

Teamfähigkeit is a feminine noun. It's mostly used in the singular as it describes an abstract quality. The plural (die Teamfähigkeiten) is rare and would refer to different types or manifestations of teamwork ability.

Singular

(Plural - Rare)

Example Sentences

1. Die Teamfähigkeit ist eine Schlüsselqualifikation in vielen Berufen.
   (Teamwork ability is a key qualification in many professions.)
2. In der Bewerbung betonte er seine ausgeprägte Teamfähigkeit.
   (In the application, he emphasized his strong teamwork skills.)
3. Wir legen großen Wert auf die Teamfähigkeit unserer Mitarbeiter.
   (We place great value on the teamwork ability of our employees.)
4. Dank der Teamfähigkeit aller Beteiligten war das Projekt ein Erfolg.
   (Thanks to the teamwork ability of everyone involved, the project was a success.)

💡 Everyday Application: When is Teamfähigkeit needed?

The term die Teamfähigkeit is almost exclusively used in the context of work (Arbeit), career (Beruf), education (Ausbildung), and projects (Projekte). It's a standard term in:

• Job advertisements (Stellenanzeigen): Companies often explicitly look for employees with high Teamfähigkeit.
• Application documents (Bewerbungsunterlagen): Applicants frequently list Teamfähigkeit as a strength (Stärke) on their CV or cover letter.
• Performance reviews (Mitarbeitergespräche): Teamfähigkeit is often a criterion in performance appraisals.
• Project management (Projektmanagement): Successful projects require good Teamfähigkeit from all members.
• Education system (Bildungswesen): The development of Teamfähigkeit is also promoted in schools and universities (e.g., through group work - Gruppenarbeiten).

In purely private life, one might rather talk about "getting along well" (gut miteinander auskommen) or "being cooperative" (kooperativ sein), although the concept is the same.

🧠 Mnemonics for Teamfähigkeit

For the article: Many German words ending in "-keit" are feminine (die), like die Fähigkeit (the ability), die Möglichkeit (the possibility), die Schnelligkeit (the speed). So, think: die Fähigkeit (ability) in a Team -> die Teamfähigkeit.

For the meaning: Imagine a rowing boat. The boat only moves forward if everyone in the Team has the Fähigkeit (ability) to row simultaneously and in coordination. That's Teamfähigkeit!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Note: Teamgeist (team spirit) is similar but emphasizes the positive atmosphere and cohesion within the team, whereas Teamfähigkeit describes the individual's competence for collaboration.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Sind Sie teamfähig?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Ja, klar! Ich mache immer genau das, was das Team sagt... solange ich der Teamleiter bin!" 😉

(Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Are you a team player?"
The employee answers: "Yes, of course! I always do exactly what the team says... as long as I'm the team leader!")

📜 Poem about Teamfähigkeit

Allein ist man stark, doch gemeinsam noch mehr,
Die Teamfähigkeit, sie hilft uns so sehr.
Zuhören, verstehen, die Hand reichen zum Bund,
So wächst das Projekt, wird farbig und rund.
Nicht jeder für sich, nein, das Wir zählt am Schluss,
Das bringt den Erfolg und süßen Genuss.

(Translation: Alone one is strong, but together even more, / Teamwork ability, it helps us so much. / Listening, understanding, extending a hand to bond, / Thus the project grows, becomes colorful and round. / Not each for themselves, no, the 'we' counts in the end, / That brings success and sweet enjoyment.)

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

Ich bin gefragt in Job und Spiel,
erreiche mit anderen das Ziel.
Ich höre zu, ich bring mich ein,
lass keinen gern im Stich allein.
In Gruppenarbeit werd' ich groß,
was bin ich? Rate nun mal los!

(Translation: I am sought after in job and game, / reach the goal together with others the same. / I listen, I contribute my part, / don't like leaving anyone alone from the start. / In group work, I become grand, / what am I? Guess now, understand!)

Solution: Die Teamfähigkeit (Teamwork ability)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

"Teamfähigkeit" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• Team: Borrowed from English, meaning 'squad', 'group'.
• Fähigkeit: Derived from the adjective 'fähig' (able), meaning 'ability', 'competence', 'skill'.

Together, it signifies the "ability to act within a team".

Cultural Significance: In German work culture (deutsche Arbeitskultur), efficiency and clear structures are traditionally highly valued. Teamfähigkeit is often understood here as the ability to integrate smoothly into these structures and be productive together.