das  Großaufgebot

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɡʁoːsʔaʊfɡəˌboːt/

🚨 What exactly is a Großaufgebot?

Das Großaufgebot refers to a large contingent or deployment of people or forces assembled or deployed for a specific task or purpose. Mostly, the term relates to the deployment of police (Polizei), fire brigade (Feuerwehr), military (Militär), or other emergency services during special events, emergencies, or demonstrations.

It implies a significant number and an organized deployment of personnel and often also equipment (e.g., vehicles, Fahrzeuge). The focus is on the mass and coordinated action.

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Das Großaufgebot

The word Großaufgebot is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich).

💡 Example Sentences

• Wegen der Demonstration war ein Großaufgebot der Polizei vor Ort.
  (Due to the demonstration, a large contingent of police was on site.)
• Nach dem Unfall rückte die Feuerwehr mit einem Großaufgebot an.
  (After the accident, the fire brigade arrived with a large deployment.)
• Das Festival wurde von einem Großaufgebot an Sicherheitskräften überwacht.
  (The festival was monitored by a large contingent of security forces.)

🗣️ How is Großaufgebot used?

The term Großaufgebot is mainly used in the context of official deployments:

• Security Forces: Very common for police and military operations, e.g., during demonstrations (Demonstrationen), state visits (Staatsbesuche), large events (Großveranstaltungen), or manhunts (Fahndungen).
• Emergency Services: For large-scale operations of the fire brigade (Feuerwehr) or disaster control (Katastrophenschutz), e.g., after natural disasters, fires (Brände), or serious accidents (schwere Unfälle).
• Media Reporting: Often found in news (Nachrichten) and reports about such events.

It emphasizes the sheer number of forces deployed. An Aufgebot alone can also be smaller; Großaufgebot highlights the large scale.

⚠️ It is rarely used for informal or private gatherings, even if many people are present.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article 'das': Think of das Gebot (like 'the bid' or 'the command') which often happens on a large scale (groß). Das Gebot requires das Großaufgebot. Also, many abstract concepts formed from verbs or actions in German take 'das', and 'Aufgebot' feels like such a concept (the act of calling up).

For the meaning: Imagine a gross (large) number of people called auf (up) for a Gebot (bidding/command/call) – creating a massive deployment: a Großaufgebot.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Risk of confusion? Sometimes 'Aufgebot' is used alone, which can also refer to a smaller group. 'Großaufgebot' always signifies a large number.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum braucht die Polizei beim Versteckspiel immer ein Großaufgebot?

Damit sie genug Leute haben, um alle Ecken abzusuchen! 😄

--- English Translation ---

Why do the police always need a large contingent (Großaufgebot) when playing hide-and-seek?

So they have enough people to search all the corners! 😄

📜 A Short Poem

Sirenen heulen durch die Nacht,
Ein Ruf, der viele hat gebracht.
Mit Blaulicht, schnell und sehr bereit,
Das Großaufgebot steht zur Streit'.
Ob Feuer, Demo oder Not,
Sie folgen dem höchsten Gebot.

--- English Translation ---

Sirens wail through the night,
A call that has brought many.
With blue lights, fast and very ready,
The large contingent stands for the fight/task.
Whether fire, demo, or distress,
They follow the highest command.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Einzelkämpfer, ich komm' in Scharen,
Bei Gefahr und Unruh' sieht man mich fahren.
Polizei, Feuerwehr, in großer Zahl,
Organisiert für den Ernstfall.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: das Großaufgebot

--- English Translation ---

I'm not a lone fighter, I come in droves,
In danger and unrest, you see me move.
Police, fire brigade, in large numbers,
Organized for the emergency.

What am I?

Solution: das Großaufgebot

🧩 Word Components and Origin

The word Großaufgebot is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• groß: Adjective, meaning 'large', 'big', 'great'.
• das Aufgebot: Noun, meaning 'the calling up', 'the summons', 'contingent' (e.g., military contingent, historically also the public announcement before a marriage).

Together, the meaning is thus a 'large calling-up/summons' of forces.