das  Anführungszeichen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanfyːʁʊŋsˌtsaɪçn/

✏️ What does "das Anführungszeichen" mean?

Das Anführungszeichen (plural: die Anführungszeichen) is the German word for quotation mark or inverted comma. It's a punctuation mark used primarily to indicate direct speech, quotations, or to highlight specific words or phrases.

In German, there are two main forms:

• The German quotation marks (colloquially called „Gänsefüßchen“ - 'goose feet'): They are placed low at the beginning and high at the end („...“). Example: Er sagte: „Ich komme später.“ (He said: “I'll come later.”)
• The French quotation marks (Guillemets): They point inwards (»...«). These are often used in printed books. Example: Er sagte: »Ich komme später.« (He said: “I'll come later.”)

Anführungszeichen can also be used to:

• Mark titles of works (books, films, etc.): Hast du „Faust“ gelesen? (Have you read “Faust”?)
• Indicate irony or distance: Das war ja eine „tolle“ Überraschung. (That was some “great” surprise.)
• Identify words as words: Das Wort „Haus“ ist ein Nomen. (The word “house” is a noun.)

⚠️ Note: Single quotation marks (‚...‘ or ›...‹) are usually used for quotes within quotes or for emphasis within already highlighted text.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar and Declension of Anführungszeichen

Das Anführungszeichen is a neuter noun (Neutrum). It's mostly used in the plural (die Anführungszeichen) because quotation marks typically appear in pairs (an opening and a closing mark).

Usage Examples

• Direkte Rede: Sie flüsterte: „Sei leise!“ (She whispered: “Be quiet!”)
• Zitat: Goethe schrieb einst: „Edel sei der Mensch, hilfreich und gut.“ (Goethe once wrote: “Let man be noble, helpful and good.”)
• Hervorhebung/Titel: Ich lese gerade den Roman „Der Schatten des Windes“. (I am currently reading the novel “The Shadow of the Wind”.)
• Ironie: Seine „Hilfe“ hat alles nur noch schlimmer gemacht. (His “help” only made everything worse.)

💡 How to Use Anführungszeichen Correctly?

Using Anführungszeichen correctly is important for clarity in written German.

• Standard in Germany/Austria: Start with the mark at the bottom („) and end with the mark at the top (“).
• Alternative (often in book printing): Start with the Guillemet pointing right (») and end with the one pointing left («). (Switzerland: reversed «...»)
• Punctuation at the end: Does a period or comma belong inside or outside the Anführungszeichen? If it's part of the quote, it goes inside: Er fragte: „Kommst du mit?“. (He asked: “Are you coming?”.). If it belongs to the main sentence, it goes outside: Sie nannte es „eine Katastrophe“. (She called it “a disaster”.)
• Thoughts and indirect speech: These are normally not enclosed in quotation marks. Incorrect: Er dachte: „Das ist eine gute Idee.“ Correct: Er dachte, das sei eine gute Idee. (He thought it was a good idea.)
• Single quotation marks: Used for quotes within quotes: Er erklärte: „Mein Lieblingsgedicht beginnt mit den Worten ‚Der Mond ist aufgegangen‘.“ (He explained: “My favourite poem begins with the words ‘The moon has risen’.”)

Don't confuse Anführungszeichen with apostrophes (') or accent marks (´ `).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Zeichen (the sign/mark). Many German nouns ending in "-zeichen" are neuter (das Vorzeichen, das Satzzeichen, das Markenzeichen). Therefore, it's das Anführungszeichen.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the marks leading (anführen) the quoted text, presenting it to the reader: „Here comes direct speech!“ or »Attention, quotation!«.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Terms (Beware of Confusion!)

• Apostroph ('): (Apostrophe) Used for contractions (e.g., geht's for geht es) or genitive case for names ending in s/z/x (e.g., Hans' Buch - Hans' book).
• Klammern ((), [], {}): (Parentheses/Brackets) Used to enclose insertions or additional information.
• Gedankenstrich (–): (Dash) Indicates pauses, insertions, or ranges (e.g., pages 5–10).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum sind Anführungszeichen so misstrauisch?
... Weil sie immer alles in Frage stellen! „Wirklich?“ »Ganz sicher?«

(Why are quotation marks so suspicious?
... Because they always question everything! “Really?” »Are you sure?«)

📜 A Poem about the Anführungszeichen

Zwei kleine Haken, fein und klar,
machen Gesagtes wörtlich wahr.
Sie fangen die Rede, das Zitat,
stehen am Anfang und am End' parat.
Mal unten, mal oben, „Gänsefuß“ genannt,
mal spitz »wie Pfeile«, wohlbekannt.
Das Anführungszeichen, klug und schlicht,
gibt Klarheit dem Text, Struktur und Gewicht.

(Two little hooks, fine and clear,
make what is said literally appear.
They capture the speech, the quoted phrase,
stand ready at start and end of the ways.
Sometimes low, sometimes high, called “goose feet” so,
sometimes pointed »like arrows«, as we know.
Das Anführungszeichen, clever and plain,
gives clarity to text, structure and gain.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich komme stets zu zweit daher,
die wörtliche Rede lieb' ich sehr.
Mal steh' ich unten, dann weit oben,
mal werd' ich als »Pfeil« geschoben.
Ich rahme Zitate und Titel ein,
was mag ich wohl für ein Zeichen sein?

(I always come in pairs,
I love direct speech affairs.
Sometimes I'm low, then high above,
sometimes I'm pushed as »an arrow« of.
I frame quotes and titles, short and long,
what kind of mark am I, where do I belong?)

Solution: Das Anführungszeichen (The quotation mark)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Anführungszeichen" is a compound noun, composed of:

• anführen: Here means 'to quote', 'to state verbatim', 'to cite'.
• das Zeichen: Meaning 'sign', 'mark', or 'symbol'.

So, literally: A mark used to indicate something that is cited or quoted.

Typography:

Correct typographical representation is important. Often, the straight double quote ("), technically a 'ditto mark' or 'inch sign', is incorrectly used instead of the proper typographical quotation marks. Correct German quotation marks are „ and “ or » and «.