unemployment
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unemployment
The state in which a person who is able to work has no paid work, even though they are looking for it. It also describes the social and economic phenomenon in which a significant part of the population cannot find work.
Die Regierung hat neue Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung der Arbeitslosigkeit beschlossen.
The government has decided on new measures to combat unemployment.
The word is a good example of German word formation. It consists of 'Arbeit' (work) + '-s-' + 'los' (without) + '-ig' (adjective ending) + '-keit' (noun ending). So it literally describes the state (-keit) of being without (-los) work.
Arbeitslosigkeit ist ein komplexes soziales Problem.
Unemployment is a complex social problem.
'Arbeitslosigkeit' (unemployment) is often used with certain verbs and adjectives. Typical examples are 'hohe/niedrige Arbeitslosigkeit' (high/low unemployment), 'steigende/sinkende Arbeitslosigkeit' (rising/falling unemployment), and 'die Arbeitslosigkeit bekämpfen' (to combat unemployment).
Die hohe Arbeitslosigkeit in der Region ist besorgniserregend.
The high unemployment in the region is concerning.
This word belongs to standard language and is often used in formal contexts such as news reports, political discussions, or academic texts.
In den Nachrichten wurde über die aktuelle Arbeitslosigkeit berichtet.
The news reported on current unemployment.
employment / activity
'die Beschäftigung' and 'die Arbeitslosigkeit' are opposites in the area of work. Here, 'Beschäftigung' means paid work or professional activity. 'Arbeitslosigkeit' means the state of not having paid work, even though someone is looking for it. The words can be confused because 'Beschäftigung' can also generally mean an activity in one's free time. But in the context of work, the distinction is: 'Beschäftigung' means having work, while 'Arbeitslosigkeit' means not having work.
Wegen der Arbeitslosigkeit musste Paul seine Ausgaben stark reduzieren.
Because of unemployment, Paul had to greatly reduce his expenses.
Nach langer Suche fand Maria eine feste Beschäftigung in einer Bäckerei.
After a long search, Maria found a steady job in a bakery.