das  Ermessen

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈmɛsn̩/

🧐 What does 'das Ermessen' mean?

Das Ermessen (neuter noun) refers to the discretion, judgement, or leeway available to a person or institution within certain limits. It's about assessing a situation and making an appropriate decision when no rigid rule dictates the exact course of action.

You often find the term in legal or administrative contexts, where officials or judges can act 'nach Ermessen' (at their discretion), as long as they adhere to principles like proportionality and non-arbitrariness (this is called pflichtgemäßes Ermessen - *due discretion*).

It's an abstract noun derived from the verb ermessen (to gauge, assess, judge).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📖 Grammar Corner: Declining 'das Ermessen'

Das Ermessen is a neuter noun (sächliches Substantiv or Neutrum). It is mostly used in the singular because it represents an abstract concept. It is a nominalization (Substantivierung) of the verb ermessen.

A plural form ('die Ermessen') is grammatically conceivable but highly unusual and rarely used in practice.

📝 Example Sentences

• Die Entscheidung liegt im Ermessen des Richters. (The decision is at the judge's discretion.)
• Der Beamte handelte nach pflichtgemäßem Ermessen. (The official acted with due discretion.)
• Hier gibt es einen gewissen Spielraum für eigenes Ermessen. (There is some room for personal discretion here.)
• Das Gesetz räumt der Behörde ein Ermessen ein. (The law grants the authority discretion.)

💡 How to Use 'das Ermessen' Correctly

The term das Ermessen is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in law and administration.

Typical phrases:

• nach (eigenem) Ermessen: according to (one's own) discretion - Example: "Sie können die Mittel nach eigenem Ermessen verwenden." (You can use the funds according to your own discretion.)
• im Ermessen von jemandem liegen/stehen: to be at someone's discretion - Example: "Die Auswahl der Kandidaten liegt im Ermessen der Kommission." (The selection of candidates is at the commission's discretion.)
• jemandem ein Ermessen einräumen: to grant someone discretion - Example: "Das Gesetz räumt der Behörde Ermessen ein." (The law grants the authority discretion.)
• pflichtgemäßes Ermessen: due discretion / non-arbitrary discretion - This emphasizes that the leeway cannot be used arbitrarily but is bound by law and principles.

Distinction:

While an Entscheidung (decision) is the result of a process, das Ermessen describes the scope or leeway within that process.

⚠️ Avoid using it in very informal contexts, where words like Entscheidung (decision), Wahl (choice), or Gutdünken (arbitrariness, often negative) might be more appropriate.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Ermessen'

For the article 'das': Abstract concepts derived from verbs (like ermessen) are often neuter in German. Think of related neutral concepts: Das Messen (the measuring), das Entscheiden (the deciding), das Abwägen (the weighing/considering) – all are part of das Ermessen.

For the meaning: The word contains "messen" (to measure). When you 'ermessen' something, you measure it, assess it, weigh it. So, das Ermessen is the ability or scope to 'measure' a situation and decide based on that assessment.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but potentially misleading words:

• Messen (das): The mere act of measuring, without the judgement aspect.
• Entscheidung (die): The result or outcome (the decision), not the scope beforehand.

😂 A Little Joke

Deutsch: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Parkuhr mit einem Hammer zertrümmert?" Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nun, Herr Richter, auf dem Schild stand: 'Gebühr nach Ermessen einwerfen'. Ich habe mein Ermessen genutzt und entschieden, dass Hämmern günstiger ist!"

English: The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you smash the parking meter with a hammer?" The defendant replies: "Well, Your Honor, the sign said: 'Insert fee according to discretion' ('Gebühr nach Ermessen einwerfen'). I used my discretion and decided that hammering was cheaper!"

(Please don't try this! 😉)

✍️ A Poem about Discretion

Deutsch:

Wo Regeln schweigen, klar und rein,
tritt oft das Ermessen ein.
Nicht Willkür soll den Weg bestimmen,
Vernunft muss stets die Oberhand gewinnen.

Ein Spielraum, klug und wohl bedacht,
hat Recht und Ordnung erst vollbracht.
Es misst, es wägt mit ruhiger Hand,
im weiten Feld von Stadt und Land.

English Translation:

Where rules fall silent, clear and pure,
often discretion will endure.
Not arbitrariness should guide the way,
Reason must always hold its sway.

A scope, considered wise and neat,
makes law and order first complete.
It measures, weighs with steady hand,
throughout the fields of town and land.

❓ A Little Riddle

Deutsch:

Ich bin kein König, doch ich herrsche oft im Recht.
Ich bin kein Maßband, doch ich messe gar nicht schlecht.
Ich gebe Spielraum, wo die Vorschrift endet klar.
Wer bin ich, sag es schnell, es ist doch sonnenklar!

English Translation:

I am no king, yet often rule in law.
I am no tape measure, yet I gauge without a flaw.
I grant leeway where the strict rules clearly cease.
Who am I? Tell me quickly, find your mental peace!

(Answer: das Ermessen / discretion)

🧩 Other Interesting Facts

Word Origin (Etymology):

Das Ermessen is the nominalization of the verb ermessen. This verb derives from the Old High German word irmezzen, which meant "to measure out," "to gauge," or also "to judge," "to consider." The core idea of 'measuring' as a basis for judgement is thus deeply rooted in the word's history.

Relevance:

The concept of Ermessen is fundamental for functioning legal systems and administrations, as not every individual case can be covered by rigid rules. It allows for flexibility and justice in individual cases (Einzelfallgerechtigkeit), but also carries the risk of misuse (Ermessensfehlgebrauch - *abuse of discretion*).