All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folge | consequence; something following | Causal consequences and sequences | Die Folge; plural die Folgen. |
| Ergebnis | result; outcome | Calculations, tests, discussions and completed work | Das Ergebnis; plural die Ergebnisse. |
| Wirkung | effect; impact | An influence on people or things | Die Wirkung; plural die Wirkungen. |
Folge
Meaning and usage: Folge highlights what follows from an action, circumstance or event. It can be desirable or undesirable, despite its frequent association with problems. The same noun also means an episode or a sequence, so die nächste Folge might refer to a program rather than a consequence. Identify whether the context is causal or sequential before translating.
Grammar: Die Folge; plural die Folgen. Useful patterns: eine Folge von + dative; etwas zur Folge haben; in der Folge.
Eine Folge des Streiks waren längere Wartezeiten.
One consequence of the strike was longer waiting times.
Heute sehen wir die letzte Folge der Serie.
Today we are watching the final episode of the series.
Ergebnis
Meaning and usage: Ergebnis presents what comes out of a process or effort. It suits an exam score, a calculation, a vote or a discussion’s outcome. It can also describe a consequence, so it is not limited to numbers or deliberately planned actions. The word often directs attention toward the resulting finding or end state rather than the chain of effects.
Grammar: Das Ergebnis; plural die Ergebnisse. Genitive des Ergebnisses. Common patterns: zu einem Ergebnis kommen and das Ergebnis einer Untersuchung.
Das Ergebnis der Abstimmung steht morgen fest.
The result of the vote will be known tomorrow.
Unser Gespräch hatte ein überraschendes Ergebnis.
Our conversation had a surprising outcome.
Wirkung
Meaning and usage: Wirkung concerns what something does to another person, object or situation. It suits a treatment’s effect, a speech’s impact or a design’s impression. It is not automatically an outcome that can be counted as a score. The word names the influence or change produced; specific wording can add whether it was strong, weak or absent.
Grammar: Die Wirkung; plural die Wirkungen. Useful patterns: eine Wirkung auf + accusative; Wirkung zeigen; eine Wirkung erzielen.
Die ruhige Musik hat eine entspannende Wirkung auf mich.
The calm music has a relaxing effect on me.
Die neue Beleuchtung verändert die Wirkung des Raums.
The new lighting changes the impression the room creates.
Overlap and context
An action’s Wirkung may become a Folge, and its overall outcome may be an Ergebnis. Instead of choosing by an absolute cause-versus-endpoint rule, notice the question being answered: what followed, what result emerged, or what influence did it have? Dictionaries themselves show overlapping definitions.
Common mistakes
- Do not make Folgen automatically negative. Positive consequences are possible.
- Use das Ergebnis with its -nisse plural: die Ergebnisse. Avoid applying the singular article to plural forms.
- Wirkung does not mean that something necessarily works well. Eine schwache Wirkung describes a weak effect.
Memory aid: Folge follows; Ergebnis emerges; Wirkung works on someone or something. These are useful emphases, not sealed categories.
Try it
Which noun naturally fits: Das ___ der Rechnung ist 42?
Show the answer
Ergebnis
A calculated numerical result is naturally an Ergebnis.