In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say you earn money through work.
- Uses the verb 'verdienen', which also means 'to deserve'.
- Neutral formality, safe for both office and casual chats.
Meaning
It is the standard way to say you are making money through work or business. It implies you have put in effort to get paid.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a new job
Ich verdiene jetzt endlich mein eigenes Geld.
I am finally earning my own money now.
In a job interview
Wie viel Geld kann man in dieser Position verdienen?
How much money can one earn in this position?
Talking to a lazy pet
Mein Hund muss auch mal Geld verdienen!
My dog needs to earn some money too!
Cultural Background
The 'Gender Pay Gap' is a major topic of discussion in Germany, often referred to as the difference in how much men and women 'verdienen' for the same work. In Switzerland, salaries are generally much higher than in Germany, but the cost of living is also higher. People often talk about 'gut verdienen' in the context of Swiss jobs. Austrians use 'Geld verdienen' just like Germans, but they might use the word 'Geld' less and 'Marie' or 'Zunder' in very old-fashioned slang. The phrase 'online Geld verdienen' is a huge keyword for the growing community of digital nomads in Berlin and beyond.
The 'Service' Secret
If you remember that 'verdienen' comes from 'dienen' (to serve), you will never forget that it's for work!
Lotto Trap
Never say you 'verdienen' money in the lottery unless you want people to think you're a professional cheater.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say you earn money through work.
- Uses the verb 'verdienen', which also means 'to deserve'.
- Neutral formality, safe for both office and casual chats.
What It Means
Geld verdienen is the most common way to say you earn money. It is the core of adult life in Germany. You use it when you trade effort for cash. It is not about luck or gifts. It is about the grind and the reward. Think of it as your 'paycheck phrase.' Every German speaker uses this multiple times a week.
How To Use It
The grammar is quite simple for you. Geld is the object and verdienen is the verb. You can say Ich verdiene Geld easily. If you have a specific job, add it. Ich verdiene mein Geld als Kellner. The verb is regular and behaves nicely. Ich verdiente is the past. However, people usually say habe verdient instead. It fits into almost any sentence structure. Don't forget the word order in questions. Verdienst du schon Geld? is a common question for students. The verb comes first here. It is a great way to start a conversation.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when discussing your job. It is great for job interviews too. You can use it when talking about budget plans. Tell your friends about your new side hustle. Even a teenager mowing lawns is Geld verdienen. It is a very safe and neutral term. You can use it with your boss or your grandma. It works perfectly in professional and casual settings.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this phrase for the lottery. If you win, use the verb gewinnen. If your aunt gives you money, use bekommen. Verdienen requires actual effort or service. Using it for a gift sounds very entitled. Also, do not use it for stealing! That would be a very funny mistake. If you find money on the street, use finden.
Cultural Background
Germany has a very strong work ethic. The word verdienen actually shares a root with dienen. In English, dienen means 'to serve.' This tells you a lot about the culture. Earning money is seen as a service to society. There is a famous saying: 'Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen.' This means 'Work first, then play.' Germans take their Feierabend very seriously. You earn your relaxation by earning your money. Historically, talking about salary was a big taboo. People often say: 'Über Geld spricht man nicht.'
Common Variations
If you are rich, you verdienen ein Vermögen. That means you earn a fortune. If you want to be idiomatic, use Brötchen verdienen. This literally means 'earning your bread rolls.' It is a very cute and common expression. Some people talk about hart verdientem Geld. This is 'hard-earned money.' It shows you really sweated for those Euros. If you earn money illegally, it is schwarz verdienen. You might also hear Geld scheffeln. This means to rake in money. Use it when someone is making a lot. It sounds a bit greedy but also impressed.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and works in all settings. Remember that 'verdienen' also means 'to deserve' in other contexts, which adds a layer of merit to the expression.
The 'Service' Secret
If you remember that 'verdienen' comes from 'dienen' (to serve), you will never forget that it's for work!
Lotto Trap
Never say you 'verdienen' money in the lottery unless you want people to think you're a professional cheater.
Compound Verbs
Learn 'dazuverdienen' (to earn extra) to talk about your side hustles like a native.
Examples
6Ich verdiene jetzt endlich mein eigenes Geld.
I am finally earning my own money now.
Focuses on financial independence.
Wie viel Geld kann man in dieser Position verdienen?
How much money can one earn in this position?
A standard professional question about salary range.
Mein Hund muss auch mal Geld verdienen!
My dog needs to earn some money too!
A joke about pets being lazy and not contributing.
Ich verdiene am Wochenende etwas Geld mit Nachhilfe.
I'm earning some money with tutoring on the weekend.
Casual way to mention extra income.
Ich verdiene jetzt genug Geld für unser neues Haus.
I earn enough money now for our new house.
Shows relief and pride in reaching a milestone.
Als Arzt verdient man meistens sehr gut Geld.
As a doctor, you usually earn very good money.
General statement about a profession's earning potential.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'verdienen' or 'gewinnen'.
Ich arbeite 40 Stunden pro Woche, um mein Geld zu _______. Aber am Wochenende spiele ich Lotto, hoffentlich _______ ich bald!
Work = verdienen, Lotto = gewinnen.
Which sentence is the most natural for a job interview?
Wie sagen Sie, dass Sie ein gutes Gehalt möchten?
'Angemessen' (appropriate) and 'verdienen' are professional and polite.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum arbeitest du so viel? B: Ich muss _______, weil ich eine neue Wohnung kaufen will.
The context of 'working a lot' implies earning.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesIch arbeite 40 Stunden pro Woche, um mein Geld zu _______. Aber am Wochenende spiele ich Lotto, hoffentlich _______ ich bald!
Work = verdienen, Lotto = gewinnen.
Wie sagen Sie, dass Sie ein gutes Gehalt möchten?
'Angemessen' (appropriate) and 'verdienen' are professional and polite.
A: Warum arbeitest du so viel? B: Ich muss _______, weil ich eine neue Wohnung kaufen will.
The context of 'working a lot' implies earning.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, you can use it for any amount of work, whether it's a 40-year career or mowing your neighbor's lawn once.
In Germany, yes, it can be seen as too personal. It's better to ask about the profession in general.
Both are what you 'verdienen'. 'Lohn' is usually for hourly work (blue-collar), 'Gehalt' is a fixed monthly salary (white-collar).
Yes, companies 'verdienen' money through their services and products.
No, but it's very informal. Don't use it in a job interview!
Related Phrases
sein Brot verdienen
idiomTo make a living.
gut verdienen
specialized formTo have a high salary.
dazuverdienen
builds onTo earn extra money on the side.
sich verdient machen
similarTo render great service.
