die Verschuldung
debt
The state of having debts, or the total amount of debt of a person, company, or state.
EXAMPLE
Die hohe Verschuldung des Unternehmens führte schließlich zur Insolvenz.
The company's high debt eventually led to insolvency.
die Verschuldung
debt
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from the verb 'sich verschulden' (to go into debt). The ending '-ung' forms nouns from verbs that describe a process or state. All nouns ending in '-ung' are feminine (die).
EXAMPLE
Die Verschuldung ist ein großes Problem für viele junge Leute.
Debt is a major problem for many young people.
Register
'Verschuldung' (debt) is a technical term from economics and politics. It is used when talking about the finances of states, companies, or also private individuals.
EXAMPLE
In den Nachrichten wurde über die steigende Staatsverschuldung berichtet.
The news reported on rising national debt.
Typical collocations
Common verbs used with 'Verschuldung' (debt) are 'abbauen' (to reduce), 'reduzieren' (to reduce), or 'senken' (to lower). Adjectives that are often used are 'hoch' (high), 'niedrig' (low), or 'steigend' (rising).
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung plant, die öffentliche Verschuldung in den nächsten Jahren abzubauen.
The government plans to reduce public debt in the coming years.
Sentence structure
To specify whose debts are meant, you usually use the genitive or a prepositional phrase with 'von' (of/from). The genitive is more common in written language.
EXAMPLE
Die Verschuldung des Unternehmens ist besorgniserregend.
The company's debt is concerning.
Compare with
Verschuldung vs schulden
to owe
schulden is a verb and refers to the specific obligation to repay borrowed money. Verschuldung, by contrast, refers to the general state of being in debt or the total amount of debt. schulden is appropriate for an amount owed to a creditor, while Verschuldung is used for the overall financial situation.
Verschuldung
Die Verschuldung des Unternehmens beträgt insgesamt 20.000 Euro.
The company's total debt amounts to 20,000 euros.
schulden
Das Unternehmen schuldet der Bank noch 20.000 Euro.
The company still owes the bank 20,000 euros.
In real life
Loading video examples...