das  Argument

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/aʁɡʊˈmɛnt/

🤔 What exactly is 'das Argument'?

The German word das Argument (noun, neuter) has several meanings, similar to its English counterpart:

• Reason / Proof / Justification: A statement or series of statements presented to justify or refute a claim. It serves to support or invalidate a thesis. Example: Sein wichtigstes Argument war die Statistik. (His most important argument was the statistic.)
• Point of discussion / Point of contention: A disagreement or difference of opinion, often in the sense of a verbal exchange (although Streit or Diskussion are more common for 'quarrel' or 'discussion'). Example: Sie hatten ein heftiges Argument über Politik. (They had a heated argument about politics.) - Here, 'Streit' (quarrel) is often meant, but 'Argument' can be used in the sense of 'exchange of views'.
• Topic / Content (of a narrative, work): Used less frequently, it refers to the plot or content. Example: Das Argument des Films war komplex. (The argument/plot of the movie was complex.)
• (Mathematics/Computer Science) Variable: The value passed to a function. Example: Die Funktion benötigt zwei Argumente. (The function requires two arguments.)

🚨 The most common meaning is the first one: a reason or proof to support a thesis.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'das Argument'

'Argument' is a neuter noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das ist ein überzeugendes Argument.
   (That is a convincing argument.)
2. Die Kraft des Arguments war nicht zu unterschätzen.
   (The power of the argument was not to be underestimated.)
3. Ich stimme dem Argument zu.
   (I agree with the argument.)
4. Er brachte ein neues Argument vor.
   (He put forward a new argument.)
5. Ihre Argumente waren gut durchdacht.
   (Her arguments were well thought out.)
6. Trotz der Argumente blieb er bei seiner Meinung.
   (Despite the arguments, he stuck to his opinion.)
7. Mit diesen Argumenten konnte er sie überzeugen.
   (With these arguments, he could convince her.)
8. Sie hörte sich alle Argumente an.
   (She listened to all the arguments.)

🗣️ How to use 'Argument'?

Das Argument is a central term in discussions (Diskussionen), debates (Debatten), academic papers (wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten), and everyday reasoning (Begründungen).

• In discussions & debates: One presents (vorbringen) arguments to support one's point of view or refute the opponent's. We talk about starke (strong), schwache (weak), überzeugende (convincing), logische (logical), or fadenscheinige (flimsy) Argumente.
• In texts & academia: Arguments form the basis for conclusions (Schlussfolgerungen) and theses (Thesen). A good argumentation (Argumentation) is structured and logical.
• Comparison with 'Grund' (reason): Grund is more general and can also denote a cause (e.g., "Der Grund für die Verspätung war Stau." - The reason for the delay was traffic.). An Argument is specifically a reason used for persuasion or justification.
• Comparison with 'Beweis' (proof): A Beweis is often stronger than an Argument and aims at an irrefutable fact (e.g., mathematical proof, fingerprint). An Argument can also be based on logic, ethics, or probabilities.
• Colloquially 'quarrel': Sometimes "ein Argument haben" (to have an argument) is used synonymously with "streiten" (to quarrel), but this is less precise than using Streit (quarrel) or Auseinandersetzung (dispute).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'das':

Many abstract nouns ending in '-ment' borrowed from Latin are neuter ('das') in German: das Instrument, das Dokument, das Testament, das Experiment, and also das Argument. Think of the neutral (-ment = result) outcome of reasoning.

For the meaning:

Think of an ARGUMENT as something you use to 'argue' your point. In German, 'das Argument' is the solid 'cement' that holds your opinion together. Without good Argumente, your point collapses.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Streit: Quarrel, dispute (often emotional).
• Diskussion: Discussion (exchange of views, usually less confrontational than Streit).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum sind Skelette so schlechte Lügner?

Weil man direkt durch ihre Argumente sehen kann! 😉

---

Why are skeletons such bad liars?

Because you can see right through their arguments! 😉

📜 A Short Poem

Ein Argument, klar und rein,
soll überzeugend sein.
Mit Logik und Verstand gebracht,
hat es schon manchen Streit entfacht.
Doch besser noch, wenn's Frieden schafft,
durch Einsicht, nicht durch laute Kraft. Das Argument, gut gewählt,
ist, was am Ende wirklich zählt.

---

An argument, clear and pure,
should be convincing, to be sure.
Brought forth with logic and with reason,
it has sparked quarrels in its season.
But better still, if peace it makes,
through insight, not for power's sakes.
The argument, well chosen, right,
is what truly counts in the final light.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich stütze deine These fest,
und geb' ihr Halt, besteh' den Test.
Man bringt mich vor in der Debatte,
ich bin kein Tier auf weicher Matte.
Manchmal bin ich stark, manchmal schwach,
und lieg' oft einer Meinung Dach.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: das Argument)

---

I firmly support your thesis,
give it hold, pass the test's basis.
I'm presented in debate,
I'm not an animal on a soft mat, wait.
Sometimes strong, sometimes weak, I appear,
often under an opinion's roof, my dear.

What am I? (Solution: das Argument / the argument)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition & Origin:

The word "Argument" comes from the Latin word argumentum, meaning "proof, evidence, representation, content". It derives from the verb arguere, meaning "to illuminate, present, prove, assert, accuse".

Interestingly: The suffix "-ment" often indicates a result or a means, fitting the meaning "means of justification". This is similar in both German and English ('argument', 'document', 'instrument').