der Verdienst
earnings
The money one receives for work performed; income or wages.
EXAMPLE
Sein Verdienst als Softwareentwickler ist in den letzten Jahren gestiegen.
His earnings as a software developer have increased in recent years.
der Verdienst
earnings / merit
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Meanings
der Verdienst
merit
A special achievement or positive quality that deserves recognition and praise.
EXAMPLE
Es ist Ihr Verdienst, dass das Projekt trotz der Schwierigkeiten erfolgreich abgeschlossen wurde.
It is to your merit that the project was successfully completed despite the difficulties.
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Verdienst' is the noun corresponding to the verb 'verdienen' (to earn / to deserve). The verb also has two meanings: to receive money for work and to receive recognition for an achievement. This double meaning carries over to the noun.
EXAMPLE
Er verdient gut, also ist sein Verdienst hoch.
He earns well, so his earnings are high.
Context clue
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. If it is about money, euros, salary, or payment, income is meant. If it is about success, achievement, a project, or a good deed, recognition is meant.
EXAMPLE
Sein monatlicher Verdienst beträgt 3000 Euro netto.
His monthly earnings are 3,000 euros net.
Typical collocations
When it is about income, 'Verdienst' (earnings) is often combined with adjectives such as 'hoch' (high), 'gut' (good), 'gering' (low), or 'durchschnittlich' (average). 'Der monatliche/jährliche Verdienst' (monthly/annual earnings) is also a common phrase.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Job hat sie einen guten Verdienst.
She has good earnings with this job.
Fixed expression
In the meaning of 'recognition', the fixed expression 'Es ist jemandes Verdienst, dass ...' (It is someone's merit that ...) is often used. Instead of the genitive, a possessive pronoun is usually used.
EXAMPLE
Es ist dein Verdienst, dass das Team so motiviert ist.
It is to your merit that the team is so motivated.
Compare with
Verdienst vs Leistung
performance / output / benefit
„Leistung“ refers to what a person has achieved or how well they have worked. „Verdienst“, on the other hand, emphasizes that the person deserves recognition for it. When evaluating the result, you use „Leistung“; when acknowledging the person’s personal contribution, you use „Verdienst“.
Verdienst
Dass das Projekt rechtzeitig fertig wurde, war vor allem Miras Verdienst.
The fact that the project was completed on time was mainly Mira’s merit.
Leistung
Der erfolgreiche Abschluss des Projekts war eine starke Leistung von Mira.
Successfully completing the project was a great achievement for Mira.
In real life
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