return / yield
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return
The financial profit, return, or benefit that results from an economic activity, an investment, or work.
Der Ertrag aus dem Verkauf der Aktien war höher als erwartet.
The return from selling the shares was higher than expected.
yield
The amount of agricultural products obtained in a harvest.
Wegen der langen Trockenheit war der Ertrag an Weizen dieses Jahr sehr gering.
Because of the long drought, the yield of wheat was very low this year.
'Ertrag' (return/yield) derives from the idea of 'Tragen' (carrying/bearing). The prefix 'er-' indicates a result. So the Ertrag is what something (e.g., a field or an investment) 'bears' or produces as a result.
Die Apfelbäume tragen dieses Jahr gut, wir erwarten einen hohen Ertrag.
The apple trees are bearing well this year; we expect a high yield.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: words like 'Geld' (money), 'Aktien' (shares), or 'Zinsen' (interest) point to the financial return. Words like 'Ernte' (harvest), 'Feld' (field), or 'Weizen' (wheat) refer to the agricultural yield.
Der finanzielle Ertrag der Firma ist im letzten Quartal gesunken.
The company's financial return fell in the last quarter.
In a financial context, 'Ertrag' (return) is often combined with verbs such as 'abwerfen' (to yield/produce), 'bringen' (to bring), or 'steigern' (to increase). People also speak of 'reinem Ertrag' (net return) or 'jährlichem Ertrag' (annual return).
Diese Investition wirft einen guten Ertrag ab.
This investment produces a good return.
In an agricultural context, people often speak of 'Ertrag pro Hektar' (yield per hectare). Typical adjectives are 'hoch' (high), 'gering' (low), 'gut' (good), or 'schlecht' (poor).
Der Ertrag der Kartoffelernte war dieses Jahr leider sehr gering.
The yield of the potato harvest was unfortunately very low this year.
profit / prize
Gewinn and Ertrag can both refer to a positive financial result of an economic activity. Gewinn normally means the surplus remaining after all costs have been deducted, while Ertrag more generally emphasizes the result or benefit gained from an investment, work, or activity. Gewinn is the better choice when calculating the exact amount after costs.
Die Solaranlage brachte im ersten Jahr einen guten Ertrag.
The solar power system produced a good return in its first year.
Nach Abzug der Löhne und Materialkosten blieb ein Gewinn von 10.000 Euro.
After wages and material costs had been deducted, a profit of 10,000 euros remained.
