die
Weltwirtschaft
🌐 What does 'die Weltwirtschaft' mean?
Die Weltwirtschaft (feminine noun, f.) refers to the entirety of economic relations, processes, and institutions on a global level. It encompasses international trade (internationaler Handel), global financial markets (globale Finanzmärkte), the cross-border production of goods and services, and the economic interdependencies between the individual national economies (Volkswirtschaften) of the world.
It represents a complex system describing supply and demand, production, distribution, and consumption on a worldwide scale. The term is often used to discuss global economic trends (globale ökonomische Trends), crises (like the Weltwirtschaftskrise - Great Depression/World Economic Crisis), or the effects of globalization (Globalisierung).
As an abstract concept, 'die Weltwirtschaft' is almost exclusively used in the singular.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ft/ -schaft → almost always feminine.
All -schaft nouns are feminine, but not all -ft nouns are.
🧐 Grammar: A look at declension
The noun 'Weltwirtschaft' is feminine. The article is 'die'. It is generally only used in the singular.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Weltwirtschaft |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Weltwirtschaft |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Weltwirtschaft |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Weltwirtschaft |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Weltwirtschaft erholt sich langsam von der Krise. (The global economy is slowly recovering from the crisis. - Nominative)
- Die Auswirkungen der Globalisierung auf die Weltwirtschaft sind vielfältig. (The effects of globalization on the global economy are diverse. - Accusative)
- Experten diskutieren über die Zukunft der Weltwirtschaft. (Experts are discussing the future of the global economy. - Genitive, often replaced by 'von der' + Dative)
- Viele Länder tragen zur Stabilität der Weltwirtschaft bei. (Many countries contribute to the stability of the global economy. - Dative, here with preposition 'zu')
💡 How 'die Weltwirtschaft' is used
'Die Weltwirtschaft' is a central term in discussions about:
- Globalization (Globalisierung): The increasing interconnectedness of countries strongly affects the Weltwirtschaft.
- International Trade (Internationaler Handel): Import and export are core components of the Weltwirtschaft.
- Economic Policy (Wirtschaftspolitik): Decisions by major national economies can influence the entire Weltwirtschaft.
- Economic News (Wirtschaftsnachrichten): Reports on global trends, growth forecasts, or crises often refer to the Weltwirtschaft.
- Financial Markets (Finanzmärkte): Global financial flows are closely linked to the Weltwirtschaft.
The term is mostly used in formal contexts (news, academic texts, political debates). It describes the big picture of the global economy, in contrast to Volkswirtschaft (national economy) or Betriebswirtschaft (business administration).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in '-schaft' are feminine ('die'), like Freundschaft (friendship) or Gesellschaft (society). Since Wirtschaft (economy) is also feminine, and Weltwirtschaft ends in '-wirtschaft', it's also feminine: die Weltwirtschaft.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'Welt' (sounds like *'Velvet'* but means *World*) 🌍 + 'Wirtschaft' (sounds a bit like *'Weird Shaft'* but means *Economy*) 💰 = the economy of the whole World.
🔄 Synonyms and Contrasts
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Contrasts/Distinctions:
- Nationalwirtschaft / Volkswirtschaft (National Economy): The economy of a single country.
- Regionalwirtschaft (Regional Economy): The economy of a specific region (e.g., EU-Wirtschaft - EU economy).
- Lokalwirtschaft (Local Economy): The economy of a city or municipality.
- Binnenwirtschaft (Domestic Economy): Economic activities within a country.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse Weltwirtschaft with Globalisierung (globalization). Globalisierung describes the process of increasing worldwide interconnectedness, while Weltwirtschaft refers to the resulting state or system of this interconnected economy.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt ein Ökonom den anderen: "Wie siehst du die aktuelle Lage der Weltwirtschaft?" Antwortet der andere: "Mit Sorge – aber zum Glück verdecken die vielen Nullen auf den Rettungspaketen die Details!"
English Translation: One economist asks another: "How do you see the current state of the global economy?" The other replies: "With concern – but luckily, all the zeros on the rescue packages obscure the details!"
📜 A Poem about the Weltwirtschaft
German:
Die Weltwirtschaft, ein großes Netz,
verbindet uns, kennt kein Gesetz
(außer dem von Angebot und Nachfrage, klar!).
Von Tokio bis Sansibar,
Handel fließt, Geld zirkuliert,
die Konjunktur mal triumphiert,
mal schwächelt sie, das ist bekannt,
im globalen Wirtschaftsland.
English Translation:
The global economy, a vast net,
connects us all, no laws are set
(except supply and demand, quite clear!).
From Tokyo far to Zanzibar,
Trade flows freely, money spins,
the business cycle sometimes wins,
sometimes it falters, known near and far,
in this global economic star.
❓ A Riddle
German:
Ich habe keine Grenzen, doch umfasse die ganze Welt.
Ich bestehe aus Handel, Arbeit und viel Geld.
Mal wachse ich, mal schrumpfe ich, bin stets im Wandel.
Politiker und Bosse lenken meinen Handel.
Was bin ich?
... Die Weltwirtschaft
English Translation:
I have no borders, yet I encompass the whole world.
I consist of trade, labor, and lots of money unfurled.
Sometimes I grow, sometimes I shrink, always in flux, you see.
Politicians and bosses guide my activity.
What am I?
... The Global Economy (Die Weltwirtschaft)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition
The word 'Weltwirtschaft' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Welt: Meaning 'World'.
- Wirtschaft: Meaning 'Economy'.
Related Terms
- Weltwirtschaftskrise: Refers to major global economic downturns, especially the Great Depression starting in 1929.
- Weltwährungsfonds (IWF - International Monetary Fund): An international organization promoting global monetary cooperation and financial stability.
- Welthandelsorganisation (WTO - World Trade Organization): An international organization setting rules for global trade.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Weltwirtschaft?
The correct article for Weltwirtschaft is 'die'. It is a feminine noun (composed of die Welt + die Wirtschaft). Example: Die Weltwirtschaft faces major challenges.