investment
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investment
The placement of capital in tangible assets or financial products with the goal of increasing value or generating returns. The term can refer both to the act of investing and to the invested object itself.
Ein Investment in Aktien kann riskant, aber auch sehr profitabel sein.
An investment in stocks can be risky, but also very profitable.
'Investment' is a loanword from English. In German, it is used with the neuter article: 'das Investment' (the investment).
Das Investment hat sich nach wenigen Jahren bereits gelohnt.
The investment already paid off after just a few years.
In both its financial and figurative meanings, 'Investment' (investment) is almost always used with the preposition 'in' followed by the accusative.
Sie plant ein Investment in erneuerbare Energien.
She is planning an investment in renewable energies.
In a financial context, 'Investment' (investment) is often combined with verbs like 'tätigen' (to make/carry out) or adjectives like 'sicher' (safe), 'riskant' (risky), or 'langfristig' (long-term).
Er hat ein langfristiges Investment getätigt.
He made a long-term investment.
When it is not about money, 'Investment' (investment) describes the use of personal resources. Typical examples are an 'Investment in die Bildung' (investment in education), 'in die Zukunft' (in the future), or 'in eine Beziehung' (in a relationship).
Viel Zeit mit den Kindern zu verbringen ist ein wichtiges Investment in die Familie.
Spending a lot of time with the children is an important investment in the family.
operation / effort / use
'der Einsatz' and 'das Investment' can both refer to something you give for a goal, for example money, time, or energy. However, 'Einsatz' is broader and often more neutral: it can refer to personal effort or to money that you risk in a game or a bet. 'Investment' is used more when you deliberately put in money or other resources because you expect an advantage or profit later. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with giving and risk. As a practical rule: for performance and effort, 'Einsatz' often fits; for a planned investment for the future, 'Investment' is more likely.
Das neue Fahrrad war ein gutes Investment, weil ich jetzt jeden Tag damit zur Arbeit fahre.
The new bicycle was a good investment because I now ride it to work every day.
Mit großem Einsatz hat das Team das Projekt noch rechtzeitig beendet.
With great effort, the team finished the project on time after all.