das
Ultimatum
📜 What does "das Ultimatum" mean?
Das Ultimatum (noun, neuter) refers to a final demand made with a deadline, the non-fulfillment of which will result in specified consequences. It's a demand that brooks no contradiction and is often used in serious negotiations, political disputes, or personal conflicts.
There is only one article for the word Ultimatum: das. It originates from the Latin word ultimus (the last).
The common phrase is jemandem ein Ultimatum stellen (to give someone an ultimatum).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-um → mostly neutral.
Caution: Nouns with '-aum' are always masculine.
🧐 Grammar of "das Ultimatum" in Detail
The noun "Ultimatum" is neuter (sächlich) and uses the article "das". Here is its declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Ultimatum |
| Genitive | des | Ultimatums |
| Dative | dem | Ultimatum |
| Accusative | das | Ultimatum |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ultimaten |
| Genitive | der | Ultimaten |
| Dative | den | Ultimaten |
| Accusative | die | Ultimaten |
Example Sentences 📝
- Die Regierung stellte dem Nachbarland ein klares Ultimatum. (The government gave the neighboring country a clear ultimatum.)
- Er gab ihr ein Ultimatum: Entweder sie hörte auf zu rauchen, oder er würde sie verlassen. (He gave her an ultimatum: Either she stopped smoking, or he would leave her.)
- Die Frist des Ultimatums läuft morgen ab. (The deadline for the ultimatum expires tomorrow.)
- In der Geschichte gab es viele berühmte Ultimaten, die zu Konflikten führten. (Throughout history, there have been many famous ultimatums that led to conflicts.)
🗣️ How is "das Ultimatum" used?
The term "Ultimatum" is mostly used in contexts where a decisive, often final demand is made. The atmosphere is typically tense and serious.
- Politik & Diplomatie (Politics & Diplomacy): Nations issue ultimatums to each other before initiating military actions or sanctions. (e.g., Das Juli-Ultimatum Österreich-Ungarns an Serbien 1914 - The July Ultimatum from Austria-Hungary to Serbia in 1914)
- Wirtschaft & Verhandlungen (Business & Negotiations): In wage negotiations or business deals, one party might issue an ultimatum to exert pressure. (e.g., Die Gewerkschaft stellte dem Arbeitgeberverband ein Ultimatum. - The union gave the employers' association an ultimatum.)
- Persönliche Beziehungen (Personal Relationships): Ultimatums can also be issued in private life, often in conflict situations, to force a decision. (e.g., Sie stellte ihm ein Ultimatum bezüglich seiner Spielsucht. - She gave him an ultimatum regarding his gambling addiction.)
An Ultimatum always implies that the time for negotiation or compromise has passed and a severe consequence is threatened if the demand is not met. It is stronger than a mere Forderung (demand) or Bitte (request).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
For the article "das": Many loanwords from Latin ending in -um are neuter ("das") in German. Think of: das Museum, das Zentrum, das Aquarium, das Datum... and of course, das Ultimatum. 🏛️
For the meaning: Think of ULTIMate + MaximUM = the ULTIMate, maximum demand, the last of its kind. Or imagine someone saying, "This is the ultimate offer, take it or leave it!" That's like an Ultimatum.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Letzte Forderung: (Final demand) - Emphasizes the finality.
- Diktat: (Dictate, imposition) - An imposed condition (often more negative).
- Drohung (mit Fristsetzung): (Threat with a deadline) - Highlights the aspect of consequences.
- Stichtag / Fristsetzung: (Deadline / Setting a deadline) - Focuses on the time limit.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Angebot: (Offer) - A proposal to accept or reject, without coercion.
- Vorschlag: (Suggestion) - An idea that can be discussed.
- Verhandlung: (Negotiation) - The process of jointly seeking a solution.
- Bitte: (Request) - A polite appeal.
- Kompromiss: (Compromise) - An agreement reached through mutual concessions.
⚠️ Note: A simple Forderung (demand) is not the same as an Ultimatum, as the latter includes finality and the threat of consequences.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum stellen Uhrmacher nie ein Ultimatum? 🤔
Weil sie wissen, dass ihre Zeit irgendwann abläuft! ⏰
(Why do watchmakers never issue an ultimatum? 🤔
Because they know their time will eventually run out! ⏰)
📜 A Short Poem
Ein Wort, gewichtig, schwer und kalt,
Das Ultimatum, bald,
Die Frist gesetzt, die Wahl gestellt,
Ein Ja, ein Nein, das die Welt erhellt?
Die Luft vibriert, die Spannung steigt,
Wenn eine letzte Forderung sich zeigt.
(A word, weighty, heavy and cold,
The Ultimatum, soon told,
The deadline set, the choice is posed,
A yes, a no, is the world exposed?
The air vibrates, the tension mounts,
When a final demand surmounts.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin die letzte Chance, die letzte Frist,
wer mich ignoriert, der leidet gewiss.
Ich komme mit Drohung, klar und direkt,
habe oft schon Kriege geweckt.
Was bin ich?
(I am the last chance, the final deadline,
who ignores me, will surely suffer and pine.
I come with a threat, clear and direct,
have often caused wars, in effect.
What am I?)
Solution: Das Ultimatum
🌐 Other Information
Wortherkunft (Etymology):
The word "Ultimatum" comes directly from Neo-Latin ultimatum, meaning "the last thing". It is the neuter form of the adjective ultimatus, derived from Latin ultimus meaning "the last". Its use in the sense of a final diplomatic demand became established in the 18th century.
Bekannte historische Ultimaten (Famous historical ultimatums):
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ultimatum?
The word "Ultimatum" is neuter (sächlich) and therefore always uses the article "das". There are no other articles for this word. The plural form is "die Ultimaten". It refers to a final, non-negotiable demand with a deadline.