noun
der Unterhalt, not applicable
alimony
Geld, das regelmäßig an eine Person gezahlt wird, damit sie für ihren Lebensunterhalt sorgen kann.
Definition & meaning
The German word der Unterhalt primarily refers to the financial means necessary to sustain a person's life. It is commonly used in legal and everyday contexts to describe the duty to provide for someone’s living expenses, especially after a divorce or for children.
- Maintenance / Alimony / Child Support: The money paid by one person to another (often an ex-spouse or child) to cover the costs of food, housing, clothing, and other necessities.
- Upkeep / Maintenance: The act of keeping something (like a building, a machine, or a vehicle) in good working condition through regular repair and care.
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It is a masculine noun (der Unterhalt) and is typically used in the singular when referring to the concept of support or upkeep. The plural form is "die Unterhalte," though it is rarely used in common speech.
- Word origin: The word is derived from the verb unterhalten , which historically meant "to hold from below" or "to support." Over time, the meaning evolved from physical support to financial sustenance and the concept of "entertaining" (as in holding someone's attention).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Lebensunterhalt (living expenses/livelihood)
- Versorgung (provision/supply)
- Instandhaltung (upkeep/maintenance of objects)
- Pflege (care/maintenance)
- Zuwendung (allowance/contribution)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Er zahlt jeden Monat Unterhalt.noun
He pays alimony every month.
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