das
Rundschreiben
📜 What exactly is 'das Rundschreiben'?
Das Rundschreiben (noun, neuter) refers to a document, circular, memo, or newsletter that is distributed to a larger group of recipients simultaneously. It serves to disseminate information, make announcements, or issue instructions within an organization (e.g., company, club, authority) or to a specific target group (e.g., customers).
It is a form of mass communication, often of an official or semi-official nature. Synonyms include Zirkular (circular), Mitteilung (notice), or also Newsletter (in a digital context).
🚨 There is only das Rundschreiben (neuter). Other articles are incorrect.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Books, documents → mostly neutral.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope
The word "Rundschreiben" is a neuter noun. Its declension is as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Rundschreiben |
| Genitive | des | Rundschreibens |
| Dative | dem | Rundschreiben |
| Accusative | das | Rundschreiben |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Rundschreiben |
| Genitive | der | Rundschreiben |
| Dative | den | Rundschreiben |
| Accusative | die | Rundschreiben |
Illustrative Examples
- Der Chef verschickte ein Rundschreiben an alle Mitarbeiter. (The boss sent out a circular to all employees.)
- Der Inhalt des Rundschreibens war vertraulich. (The content of the circular was confidential.)
- Bitte beachten Sie die Anweisungen in dem Rundschreiben. (Please note the instructions in the circular.)
- Haben Sie die neuesten Rundschreiben schon gelesen? (Have you read the latest circulars yet?)
🗣️ When to use 'das Rundschreiben'?
"Das Rundschreiben" is primarily used in formal or semi-formal contexts, especially in:
- Companies: Internal communications to staff, information about new policies (neue Richtlinien).
- Authorities (Behörden): Official announcements (amtliche Bekanntmachungen), informational letters to citizens or other departments.
- Clubs/Associations (Vereine): Announcements of events, information for members.
- Schools/Universities: Notifications to students or parents.
In the digital age, the term is often used synonymously with 'email distribution list' or 'newsletter', although the classic Rundschreiben was originally a printed document.
Compared to a simple Mitteilung (notice/message), a Rundschreiben implies broader distribution to a defined circle and often has a slightly more official character.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Many nouns derived from infinitives (like das Schreiben from schreiben - to write) are neuter (das). Think: Das Schreiben (the writing) goes 'rund' (around) = das Rundschreiben.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a written message (Schreiben) being passed 'rund' (around) in a circle to everyone. That's how the information reaches everyone in the circle.
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Die Mitteilung: General term for a piece of information or notice.
- Das Zirkular: Very similar, often used in official or formal contexts (circular).
- Der Newsletter: Usually digital, often for marketing or regular updates.
- Die Bekanntmachung: Public or official announcement.
- Das Memo / Memorandum: Shorter, often internal note or message.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Der Privatbrief: Personal letter to an individual.
- Die Einzelnachricht: Targeted message for only one recipient.
- Das Gespräch / Die Diskussion: Direct, often two-way communication.
⚠️ Similar, but Different Words
- Die Rundreise: A round trip (journey returning to the starting point).
- Das Anschreiben: A cover letter, e.g., for a job application (addressed to a specific recipient).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat das Rundschreiben nie Streit?
Weil es immer alle auf den gleichen Stand bringt!
(Why does the circular never have arguments? Because it always brings everyone up to the same level/page!)
✍️ A Poem about the Rundschreiben
Ein Blatt Papier, bedruckt und klar,
geht rum im Kreis, das ist doch wahr.
Von Schreibtisch A zu Schreibtisch Z,
das Rundschreiben ist niemals nett?
Ach nein, es will nur informieren,
was alle sollen nun kapieren.
(A sheet of paper, printed and clear,
goes round in circles, that is true, dear.
From desk A to desk Z it flies,
the circular is never nice?
Oh no, it just wants to inform,
what everyone should now learn.)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich gehe von Hand zu Hand, doch bin kein Geld.
Ich trage Neuigkeiten in die weite Firmenwelt.
An viele werd' ich gleichzeitig geschickt,
damit jeder die gleiche Info blickt.
Was bin ich?
(I go from hand to hand, but am not money. Das Rundschreiben
I carry news into the wide corporate world, honey.
I'm sent to many at the same time,
so everyone gets the same info, it's prime.
What am I?)
Answer
🧩 Word Puzzle: Origin
The word "Rundschreiben" is a compound word formed from:
- rund: Adverb/preposition meaning 'around', 'in a circle', 'addressed to all'.
- Schreiben: Noun derived from the verb 'schreiben' (to write), here meaning 'written document', 'letter', 'message'.
So, it literally describes a "writing that goes around" or is "written to everyone around".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Rundschreiben?
The correct article for Rundschreiben is das. It is a neuter noun referring to a circular, memo, or notice addressed to multiple people.