sich lohnen
to be worth it
To be worthwhile or advantageous; to bring a positive return for an effort made.
EXAMPLE
Es hat sich wirklich gelohnt, für die Prüfung so viel zu lernen.
It was really worth it to study so much for the exam.
lohnen
to be worth it / to reward
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Meanings
lohnen
to reward
To reward or compensate someone for an achievement, work, or effort. This use is rather formal or outdated.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen lohnte die Mitarbeiter für ihre außerordentlichen Anstrengungen mit einer Prämie.
The company rewarded the employees for their extraordinary efforts with a bonus.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'lohnen' is closely related to the noun 'der Lohn', which means 'salary/wages' or 'reward'. This connection helps you understand the basic idea of the word: it is always about a return or reward for an effort.
EXAMPLE
Harte Arbeit verdient einen gerechten Lohn.
Hard work deserves fair pay.
Reflexive vs. non-reflexive
The most common use is reflexive: 'sich lohnen' means 'to be worth it' or 'to be advantageous'. The rarer, non-reflexive form 'jemanden lohnen' means 'to reward someone' and always requires an accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Die lange Anfahrt hat sich gelohnt.
The long journey was worth it.
Sentence structure with infinitive
'Sich lohnen' is very often used in the impersonal form 'Es lohnt sich, ...' (It is worth it to ...), followed by an infinitive construction with 'zu'. This structure is ideal for expressing that a certain action makes sense.
EXAMPLE
Es lohnt sich, früh aufzustehen, um den Sonnenaufgang zu sehen.
It is worth getting up early to see the sunrise.
Register and style
The meaning 'to reward someone' is rare today and belongs to a formal or literary style. In normal usage, the reflexive form 'sich lohnen' (to be worth it) is much more common.
EXAMPLE
Gott möge es Ihnen lohnen.
May God reward you for it.
Compare with
lohnen vs belohnen
to reward
Lohnen and belohnen can both express that someone receives recognition for an achievement. Transitive lohnen is formal or outdated in this meaning today. Belohnen is the usual choice in present-day German for money, a prize, praise, or another form of recognition.
lohnen
In der alten Erzählung lohnte der König den Boten reich für seinen Mut.
In the old tale, the king richly rewarded the messenger for his courage.
belohnen
Heute belohnt die Bürgermeisterin den mutigen Helfer mit einem Preis.
Today, the mayor rewards the brave helper with a prize.
In real life
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