erfolg

Erfolg is a German noun meaning success or achievement. It denotes the attainment of a goal or a desirable outcome and is used across domains such as business, education, sports, and personal life. The term can refer to concrete results—completing a project, winning a competition—as well as to subjective satisfaction from progress. The opposite concept is Misserfolg (failure).

Etymology: The word derives from Middle High German erfolg, from the prefix er- and folg (related to folgen, to follow), originally meaning "that which follows" or "the result." Over time, Erfolg came to denote a successful outcome in general.

Measurement and interpretation: Because success is context dependent, its meaning varies. In economics or business, success is often linked to metrics such as profit, growth, or return on investment; in education or science, it may hinge on milestones or breakthroughs; in personal life, it can be linked to well-being and fulfilling relationships. It is also influenced by chance, resources, and social expectations, making it partly subjective.

Cultural dimension and ethics: In German-speaking societies, Erfolg is frequently associated with diligence, performance, and the capacity to set and reach goals. Debates address how opportunities, responsibility, and equity shape what counts as true success, and how nonmaterial aspects such as health and happiness fit into the concept.

See also: Misserfolg, Leistung, Zielsetzung.