01
verdienen
to earn
To receive money as payment for work performed.
example
Als Softwareentwickler verdient man heutzutage ziemlich gut.
As a software developer, you earn pretty well these days.
verdienen
to earn / deserve
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word consists of the inseparable prefix 'ver-' and the verb 'dienen' (to serve). The basic idea is that you receive something through 'dienen' (serving), that is, through work or performance.
EXAMPLE
Er dient dem Unternehmen seit 20 Jahren und hat sich seine Position verdient.
He has served the company for 20 years and has earned his position.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'verdienen' (to earn/deserve) from the object. If it is about money, salary, or livelihood, it means 'to get money for work'. If it is about abstract things like a break, respect, or a punishment, it means 'to be worthy of something'.
EXAMPLE
Wie viel verdienst du in deinem neuen Job?
How much do you earn in your new job?
Reflexive use
In the meaning 'würdig sein' (to be worthy), the verb is often used reflexively with a dative pronoun: 'sich (dative) etwas (accusative) verdienen' (to earn/deserve something for oneself). This emphasizes that the person themself is the recipient of what is deserved.
EXAMPLE
Nach der harten Gartenarbeit habe ich mir ein kühles Getränk verdient.
After the hard gardening work, I deserve a cold drink.
Typical collocations
When it is about payment, 'verdienen' (to earn) is often combined with the nouns 'Geld' (money), 'Gehalt' (salary), or 'Lebensunterhalt' (livelihood). Adverbs like 'gut' (well), 'schlecht' (poorly), or 'genug' (enough) are also typical.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Job kann man seinen Lebensunterhalt gut verdienen.
With this job, you can earn your living well.
Compare with
verdienen vs leben
to live
'leben' and 'verdienen' can both have to do with money and work, but they do not mean the same thing. 'verdienen' means to receive money for work. 'von etwas leben' means that this money or source is enough to support oneself. So you can earn a lot but still have an expensive lifestyle, or live on a small pension. Learners may confuse the words because in some languages the same expression is used for 'getting money' and 'living on it'. In German, ask: Is someone receiving money? Then use 'verdienen'. Is it enough to live on? Then use 'von etwas leben'.
verdienen
Am Wochenende verdient sie etwas Geld in einem Restaurant.
On weekends, she earns some money in a restaurant.
leben
Johanna lebt von ihrem kleinen Gehalt und muss genau auf ihr Geld achten.
Johanna lives on her small salary and has to watch her money carefully.
In real life
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