das  Erzählen

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛʁˈt͡sɛːlən/

📖 What exactly is 'das Erzählen'?

Das Erzählen is the nominalized form of the German verb erzählen (to tell, to narrate). It refers to the process of telling or narrating itself, i.e., the action of recounting a story, event, or information, either orally or in writing.

It's an abstract noun describing the activity or art of narrative.

• Meaning: The act of reporting, recounting; the narration.

Since it's derived from an infinitive, it is neuter (sächlich) and takes the article "das".

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'das Erzählen' in Detail

"Das Erzählen" is a nominalized infinitive (substantivierter Infinitiv). Such nouns are always neuter (Neutrum) in German and are typically used only in the singular, as they describe a process or concept.

Declension

Note: A plural form ("die Erzählen") is grammatically unusual and practically never used.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Das Erzählen von Geschichten ist eine alte Kunst.
   (The telling of stories is an ancient art.)
2. Wir lauschten gespannt seinem Erzählen.
   (We listened intently to his narration / his telling.)
3. Beim Erzählen vergass er wichtige Details.
   (While telling [the story], he forgot important details.)
4. Sie unterbrach ihn mitten im Erzählen.
   (She interrupted him in the middle of [his] telling / narration.)

💬 How is 'das Erzählen' used?

"Das Erzählen" is used to emphasize the act of communicating or the manner of recounting.

• Focus on the process: It highlights the action itself, rather than the result (the story told). Example: "Das lange Erzählen machte ihn müde." (The long narration made him tired.)
• Abstract context: Often found in discussions about literature, communication, pedagogy, or therapy. Example: "Die Bedeutung des Erzählens für die kindliche Entwicklung." (The importance of storytelling for child development.)
• Formal style: It can sound slightly more formal than using the verb with an object (e.g., "Er erzählt eine Geschichte" - He tells a story vs. "Sein Erzählen der Geschichte" - His telling of the story).

⚠️ Distinction: While "die Erzählung" refers to the specific story or the product of telling, "das Erzählen" refers to the process.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Erzählen'

For the article: Nominalized verb infinitives in German are (almost) always neuter: das Laufen (running), das Schwimmen (swimming), das Sehen (seeing), and also das Erzählen. Think of the general concept: "das Doing".

For the meaning: Imagine someone erzählt (tells) a story – the whole process, the speaking, the gestures, the suspense – all of that is "das Erzählen".

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Potentially confusing words:

• Die Erzählung: Refers to the result of telling, the story or narrative itself (e.g., "eine spannende Erzählung" - an exciting story/narrative).

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum ist dein Aufsatz über deine Katze genau derselbe wie der deines Bruders?"
Fritzchen: "Ist doch klar, Herr Lehrer. Wir haben doch dieselbe Katze!"

Teacher: "Fritzie, why is your essay about your cat exactly the same as your brother's?"
Fritzie: "It's obvious, teacher. We have the same cat!"

(Okay, not directly about "das Erzählen", but about the result of it!)

✒️ Poem about Telling

Das Erzählen, fein und sacht,
\hat schon manchen froh gemacht.
\Ein Wort, ein Satz, ein ganzer Schwung,
\hält Geist und Seele ewig jung.

Ob Märchen, Witz, ob alt, ob neu,
\das Erzählen bleibt uns treu.
\Es spinnt den Faden, zart und klar,
\macht Fernes nah und Wunder wahr.

The telling, fine and gently,
has made many happy already.
A word, a sentence, a whole sweep,
keeps mind and soul forever deep (young).

Be it fairytale, joke, old or new,
the telling remains loyal and true.
It spins the thread, tender and clear,
makes far things close and wonders appear.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich spreche durch dich.
\Ich habe keine Form, doch forme Wirklichkeit für dich.
\Ich bin ein Akt, kein Ding, doch man kann mir lauschen still.
\Ich bin sächlich, ein Vorgang, wie es das Deutsche will.

Was bin ich?

I have no voice, yet I speak through you.
I have no form, yet shape reality for you.
I am an act, not a thing, yet one can listen to me quietly.
I am neuter, a process, as the German language decrees it.

What am I?

Solution: Das Erzählen (The act of telling/narrating)

ℹ️ Other Information

Word Formation: "Das Erzählen" is a classic example of nominalization through conversion (Substantivierung durch Konversion). The infinitive of the verb erzählen is used directly as a noun, taking the neuter article "das" and being capitalized.

Etymology: The verb "erzählen" comes from Old High German "irzellen", which originally meant "to count up", "to report in order". The prefix "er-" often intensifies the action or indicates a result.