parental leave
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parental leave
A legally regulated period during which employees can be released from work without pay after the birth or adoption of a child in order to devote themselves to childcare.
Nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes hat sie drei Jahre Elternzeit genommen.
After the birth of her son, she took three years of parental leave.
The word is clearly composed of 'die Eltern' (the parents) and 'die Zeit' (the time). So it literally describes the 'time for the parents' that they can spend with their newborn child.
Die Elternzeit ist eine wichtige soziale Leistung in Deutschland.
Parental leave is an important social benefit in Germany.
'Elternzeit' (parental leave) is often used with the preposition 'in'. Pay attention to the case: you go 'in die Elternzeit' (into parental leave; accusative, direction), and then you are 'in der Elternzeit' (on parental leave; dative, state).
Nächstes Jahr geht mein Kollege in die Elternzeit.
Next year my colleague is going on parental leave.
The most common verbs in connection with 'Elternzeit' (parental leave) are 'Elternzeit nehmen' (to take parental leave), 'Elternzeit beantragen' (to apply for parental leave), and 'in Elternzeit sein/gehen' (to be/go on parental leave).
Immer mehr Väter nehmen für einige Monate Elternzeit.
More and more fathers are taking parental leave for a few months.
parental allowance
'die Elternzeit' and 'das Elterngeld' both belong to the period after the birth or adoption of a child. They are often mentioned together and are therefore easy to confuse. 'Elternzeit' is the period during which a parent does not work, or works less, in order to care for the child. 'Elterngeld' is money from the state that can support parents financially during this time. The simple difference is: Elternzeit is time away from work; Elterngeld is financial support.
Nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes nimmt Anna ein Jahr Elternzeit.
After the birth of her son, Anna takes one year of parental leave.
Mehmet beantragt Elterngeld, weil er einige Monate zu Hause bleiben möchte.
Mehmet applies for parental allowance because he wants to stay at home for a few months.