das
Visum
🛂 What Exactly is a Visum?
Das Visum (plural: die Visa or die Visen) is an official endorsement or stamp in a passport that allows a person to enter a specific country or stay for a certain period. It represents an entry permit (Einreiseerlaubnis) issued by the authorities of the destination country.
There are different types of visas, e.g., tourist visas, work visas, student visas, etc., depending on the purpose of the trip.
🚨 Attention: The rules and requirements for visas vary greatly depending on the country and nationality!
Article rules for der, die, and das
Books, documents → mostly neutral.
Caution: see exceptions
-um → mostly neutral.
Caution: Nouns with '-aum' are always masculine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Declension of 'das Visum'
The noun "Visum" is neuter (sächlich) and uses the article "das". It has two common plural forms: "die Visa" (more frequent) and "die Visen".
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Visum |
| Genitive | des | Visums |
| Dative | dem | Visum |
| Accusative | das | Visum |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Visa |
| Genitive | der | Visa |
| Dative | den | Visa / Visen |
| Accusative | die | Visa |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Visen |
| Genitive | der | Visen |
| Dative | den | Visen |
| Accusative | die | Visen |
Note: The plural "Visa" is more common, especially in official language. The dative plural for "Visa" can also be "Visen" for clearer distinction.
📝 Example Sentences
- Er benötigt ein Visum für seine Reise nach China. (He needs a visa for his trip to China.)
- Die Gültigkeit des Visums läuft bald ab. (The validity of the visa expires soon.)
- Mit diesem Visum darfst du drei Monate bleiben. (With this visa, you are allowed to stay for three months.)
- Die Botschaft stellt verschiedene Visa (oder: Visen) aus. (The embassy issues various visas.)
🌍 When and How to Use 'das Visum'?
The term "Visum" is primarily used in the context of international travel, immigration, and residency law. It's formal and often used in official documents and conversations with authorities (embassies, consulates, immigration offices - Botschaften, Konsulate, Ausländerämter).
- Applying: One beantragt (applies for) a visa (e.g., "Ich muss ein Visum beantragen." - I need to apply for a visa.).
- Issuing: A visa is erteilt or ausgestellt (issued or granted) (e.g., "Das Visum wurde erteilt." - The visa was granted.).
- Validity: A visa has a Gültigkeitsdauer (period of validity) (e.g., "Das Visum ist 90 Tage gültig." - The visa is valid for 90 days.).
- Requirement: For some countries, there is a Visumspflicht or Visapflicht (visa requirement).
In everyday language, people might also talk about the "Einreiseerlaubnis" (entry permit), but "Visum" is the precise and internationally common term.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Mnemonic for the Article (das):
Think of das Dokument: It's das Papier (paper), das Dokument (document), das Visum – all neuter, like an official piece of paper.
Mnemonic for the Meaning:
A Visum gives you the vision (Vis-) to visit a country. It's similar to the English word "visa". You need to have it "seen" (Latin 'videre', past participle 'visum') before you can enter – it's your 'seen' confirmation in the passport.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- die Einreiseerlaubnis: (Entry permit) Emphasizes the permission to enter.
- der Sichtvermerk: (Endorsement, literally 'seen note') An older, more bureaucratic term literally meaning the note/stamp seen in the passport.
- die Aufenthaltserlaubnis / der Aufenthaltstitel: (Residence permit / residence title) Often refers to longer stays, but can include or follow a visa.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- die Ausreiseverweigerung: (Refusal of exit) The opposite of permission to leave a country.
- die Einreiseverweigerung: (Refusal of entry) Being denied entry at the border, possible even with a visa.
- die Visumfreiheit / Visafreiheit: (Visa exemption/freedom) The state of not needing a visa to enter.
⚠️ Risk of Confusion: Don't confuse with "die Vision" (vision, apparition).
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Tourist seinen Pass in den Mixer gesteckt?
Er wollte einen Smoothie mit internationalem Geschmack und hoffte, das Visum würde sich von selbst erneuern! 😉
--- English Translation ---
Why did the tourist put his passport in the blender?
He wanted a smoothie with an international flavor and hoped the visa would renew itself! 😉
📜 A Short Poem
Ein Pass allein, der reicht oft nicht,
für ferne Länder, fremdes Licht.
Man braucht den Stempel, klar und rein,
das Visum lässt dich endlich ein.
Ein kleines Stück Papier, so wichtig,
macht Reisen erst so richtig!
--- English Translation ---
A passport alone is often not enough,
For distant lands, foreign light so rough.
You need the stamp, clear and pure,
The visa finally lets you enter, sure.
A small piece of paper, so key,
Makes traveling truly the way to be!
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Stempel oder ein Papier,
ohne mich kommst du nicht weit von hier.
In deinem Pass kleb' ich als Gast,
erlaub' dir Reise ohne Hast.
Ich öffne Türen in die Welt,
wenn man mich bei der Botschaft bestellt.
Was bin ich?
... Das Visum
--- English Translation ---
I am a stamp or a piece of paper,
Without me, you won't get far from here, neighbor.
In your passport, I stick as a guest,
Allowing you travel without haste or test.
I open doors into the world wide,
When ordered from the embassy inside.
What am I?
... The Visa (das Visum)
💡 More Interesting Facts
Word Origin (Etymology): The word "Visum" comes from the Latin word visum, meaning "that which has been seen" (perfect passive participle of videre = to see). It refers to the original purpose that a document or passport was "seen" (and approved).
Related Terms:
- Die Visumspflicht / Visapflicht: The requirement to have a visa to enter a specific country.
- Die Visafreiheit / Visumfreiheit: The ability to enter without a visa.
- Das E-Visum: An electronically applied for and issued visa.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Visum?
The German word "Visum" is neuter. The correct article is das. It refers to an official permit to enter or stay in a country, usually noted in a passport. The most common plural form is "die Visa".