die
Teilzeit
🕒 What does 'die Teilzeit' mean?
Die Teilzeit (noun, feminine) refers to an employment relationship where the agreed regular weekly working time is shorter than that of a comparable full-time employee. So, it signifies reduced working hours compared to Vollzeit (full-time).
The term is almost exclusively used in the singular when referring to the concept or status (e.g., „Sie arbeitet in Teilzeit.“ - She works part-time.). The plural form „die Teilzeiten“ is very rare and typically refers to different phases or periods of part-time work.
There is only one article for this word: die.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Time → mostly feminine.
There are many exceptions, e.g. the entire category "Weekdays, months, seasons" (masculine/der).
📚 Grammar Guide for 'die Teilzeit'
The word „Teilzeit“ is a feminine noun and therefore uses the article die. It is primarily used in the singular.
Declension Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Teilzeit | eine Teilzeit |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Teilzeit | einer Teilzeit |
| Dative (To whom?) | der Teilzeit | einer Teilzeit |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Teilzeit | eine Teilzeit |
Declension Plural
The plural „die Teilzeiten“ is very uncommon in the context of employment relationships. If used, it follows the standard declension for feminine nouns ending in -zeit:
| Case | Definite Article |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Teilzeiten |
| Genitive | der Teilzeiten |
| Dative | den Teilzeiten |
| Accusative | die Teilzeiten |
Example Sentences
- Nach der Geburt ihres Kindes hat sie ihre Arbeit auf Teilzeit reduziert.
(After the birth of her child, she reduced her work to part-time.) - Viele Studierende arbeiten neben dem Studium in Teilzeit.
(Many students work part-time alongside their studies.) - Der Vertrag regelt die Bedingungen der Teilzeit genau.
(The contract precisely regulates the conditions of the part-time work.) - Er bewirbt sich um eine Stelle in Teilzeit.
(He is applying for a part-time position.)
🗣️ How 'Teilzeit' is used
The term die Teilzeit is firmly established in the world of work (Arbeitsleben). Here are typical contexts:
- Employment Contracts (Arbeitsverträge): Describes models with fewer than the full weekly working hours (e.g., 20, 30 hours instead of 40).
- Life Phases (Lebensphasen): Often chosen during child-rearing, caring for relatives, alongside studies, or for gradually reducing work before retirement.
- Set Phrases (Feste Wendungen): The phrase „in Teilzeit arbeiten“ (to work part-time) or „eine Stelle in Teilzeit“ (a part-time job/position) is very common.
Comparison: The opposite of Teilzeit is die Vollzeit (full-time). Sometimes people also say „Teilzeitbeschäftigung“ (part-time employment) or „Teilzeitarbeit“ (part-time work), which are synonymous.
⚠️ Note that „Teilzeit“ refers to the reduced amount of work time, not necessarily a specific time of day (although „Halbtagsarbeit“ - half-day work - often takes place in the morning or afternoon).
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Teilzeit'
Article Mnemonic: Think of related feminine work nouns: die Arbeit (the work), die Beschäftigung (the employment), die Stelle (the position) – they are all feminine, just like die Teilzeit. It's about the type of employment.
Meaning Mnemonic: „Teil-Zeit“ literally translates to „Part-Time“. You only work a part of the usual time.
↔️ Opposites and Similar Words
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- die Teilzeitarbeit: Very common synonym, emphasizes the work aspect.
- die Teilzeitbeschäftigung: Slightly more formal, describes the employment relationship.
- die Halbtagsarbeit: Often refers specifically to work that is about half of full-time, usually morning or afternoon.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- die Vollzeit: The direct opposite, meaning full regular working hours.
- die Vollzeitbeschäftigung: The corresponding full-time employment relationship.
Risk of Confusion?
There is little risk of confusion, as the word is used very specifically in the context of work.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: „Wollen Sie lieber in Teilzeit oder Vollzeit Unsinn machen?“
(The boss asks the new employee: “Would you prefer to make mischief part-time or full-time?”)
📜 Poem about Part-Time
Nicht acht am Stück, die Stunden zählen,
Die Arbeit klug und weise wählen.
Mehr Zeit für sich, die Liebsten, Haus,
Die Teilzeit bringt den Ausgleich raus.
Ein Teil der Zeit dem Job geweiht,
Der Rest für Lebensfreudigkeit.
(Not eight hours straight, counting the time,
Choosing work wisely and prime.
More time for self, loved ones, home's grace,
Part-time brings balance to this place.
A part of time for the job's demand,
The rest for life's joy, close at hand.)
🧩 Riddle
Ich bin nicht ganz, doch oft genug,
Kürz' Stunden ab im Arbeitszug.
Für Familie, Hobby oder mehr,
Bring' ich die Freizeit oft hierher.
Was bin ich, feminin und schlau,
Im Arbeitsvertrag ganz genau?
(I'm not whole, but often enough,
I shorten hours, though work is tough.
For family, hobbies, or something more,
I often bring leisure time to the door.
What am I, feminine and smart,
In the employment contract, playing my part?)
Solution: die Teilzeit (part-time)
💡 Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition: The word is composed of:
Legal Context (Rechtliches): In Germany, the Teilzeit- und Befristungsgesetz (TzBfG) governs the rights of part-time employees and, under certain conditions, grants a right to reduce working hours.
Prevalence (Verbreitung): Part-time work is widespread in Germany, especially among women.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Teilzeit?
The noun Teilzeit is feminine. The correct article is always die. Therefore, it is die Teilzeit.
