savings
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savings
Usually used in the plural ('Ersparnisse'); refers to all the money that a person or household has saved and set aside over time.
Für den Kauf des Hauses hat er seine gesamten Ersparnisse aufgebraucht.
He used up all his savings to buy the house.
'Die Ersparnis' (saving/savings) is derived from the verb 'sparen' (to save). The ending '-nis' forms a noun that describes the result of an action. It belongs to a group of nouns such as 'das Ergebnis' (result) or 'das Erlebnis' (experience).
Jede kleine Ersparnis hilft am Ende des Monats.
Every small saving helps at the end of the month.
The meaning changes with the number. 'Die Ersparnis' (singular) refers to a specific amount saved. 'Die Ersparnisse' (plural) means all the money a person has saved.
Der neue Kühlschrank bringt eine Ersparnis von 50 Euro pro Jahr.
The new refrigerator brings a saving of 50 euros per year.
When referring to all the money someone has saved, 'die Ersparnisse' (savings, plural) is often used with verbs like 'aufbrauchen' (to use up), 'angreifen' (to dip into), 'investieren' (to invest), or 'zurückgreifen auf' (to fall back on).
Für die unvorhergesehene Reparatur musste er seine Ersparnisse angreifen.
He had to dip into his savings for the unexpected repair.
In the singular, 'die Ersparnis' (saving) is often combined with 'von' + amount or with adjectives like 'jährlich' (annual), 'deutlich' (significant), or 'gering' (small). You can also say 'eine Ersparnis erzielen' (to achieve a saving).
Durch die Nutzung öffentlicher Verkehrsmittel erzielen wir eine deutliche Ersparnis.
By using public transportation, we achieve a significant saving.
fortune / ability
'das Vermögen' and 'die Ersparnis' both have to do with money and possessions. 'das Vermögen' means someone's total financial assets, for example money, houses, land, or other valuable things. 'die Ersparnis' means either money that has been set aside, usually in the plural 'Ersparnisse', or an amount that did not have to be spent. Learners may confuse the words because savings can be part of a fortune. But not every fortune consists only of saved money. When it is about total assets, 'Vermögen' fits. When it is about money that has been set aside or costs that have been saved, 'Ersparnis' or 'Ersparnisse' fits.
Für den Urlaub nutzt Frau Fischer einen Teil ihrer Ersparnisse.
Ms. Fischer is using part of her savings for the vacation.
Nach vielen Jahren Arbeit hat die Unternehmerin ein großes Vermögen aufgebaut.
After many years of work, the entrepreneur has built up a large fortune.