der  Abschuss

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/ˈapˌʃʊs/

🎯 What does "der Abschuss" actually mean?

The word der Abschuss (masculine) has several meanings:

• 🔫 Hunting & Military: The act of killing or bringing down an animal or aircraft with a shot. Example: Der Jäger feierte den erfolgreichen Abschuss des Hirsches (The hunter celebrated the successful shooting of the deer). Der Abschuss des feindlichen Flugzeugs wurde bestätigt (The shooting down of the enemy aircraft was confirmed).
• ⚽ Sports: Scoring a goal, especially in football (often somewhat colloquial or referring to a powerful shot). Example: Mit diesem Abschuss sicherte er den Sieg seiner Mannschaft (With this shot/goal, he secured victory for his team).
• 💔 Colloquial (Rejection): A clear refusal or rejection, especially in a social or romantic context. One might say someone 'erteilt einen Abschuss' (gives someone a rejection). Example: Sie hat ihm einen klaren Abschuss erteilt, als er sie nach einem Date fragte (She gave him a clear rejection when he asked her for a date).

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar in Detail: Der Abschuss

"Abschuss" is a masculine noun. It follows the strong declension pattern.

💡 Example Sentences

1. (Hunting) Der Abschuss dieses seltenen Vogels ist streng verboten. (Shooting this rare bird is strictly forbidden.)
2. (Military) Die Luftabwehr meldete mehrere feindliche Abschüsse. (The air defense reported several enemy shoot-downs.)
3. (Sports) Nach seinem spektakulären Abschuss jubelte das ganze Stadion. (After his spectacular goal/shot, the whole stadium cheered.)
4. (Rejection) Er war nach dem Abschuss ziemlich niedergeschlagen. (He was quite down after the rejection.)

🗣️ How "der Abschuss" is used

The usage of der Abschuss heavily depends on the context:

• Hunting/Military: Here, the term is neutral and technical. It describes the act of shooting with a deadly or destructive outcome. Often found in reports or technical language (e.g., Abschussquote - kill quota, Abschussplan - culling plan).
• Sports: Mostly colloquial for a shot on goal, often a particularly powerful or decisive one. Synonyms like Tor (goal) or Treffer (hit, goal) are more common and neutral.
• Rejection: Rather informal and colloquial. Used to describe a clear refusal, often in the context of flirting or applications. A synonym is Korb (literally 'basket', as in 'jemandem einen Korb geben' - to turn someone down).

Risk of confusion? Sometimes Abschuss is mistakenly confused with Ausschuss (committee; or: rejects/defective goods). Pay attention to spelling and context!

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Abschuss"

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Jäger (the hunter, masculine) executing der successful Abschuss. Masculine action -> masculine article.

Meaning Mnemonic: Remember the 'shot' aspect links all meanings: A shot that downs something (military/hunting), a shot into the goal (sports), or being 'shot down' romantically (rejection).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Abschuss"

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• Ausschuss: Means either a committee or defective goods/rejects. Do not confuse with Abschuss!
• Schuss: The general act of shooting or the projectile fired. Abschuss is more specific, often implying a result (hitting the target, downing something).

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Jägerlehrling seinen Meister: "Du, Meister, wenn ich jetzt daneben schieße, ist das dann ein Fehlabschuss?"
Meint der Meister trocken: "Nein, mein Junge. Das ist dann einfach nur Pech."

Translation: The apprentice hunter asks his master: "Hey, master, if I miss now, is that a 'Fehlabschuss' (failed shooting)?"
The master replies dryly: "No, my boy. That's just bad luck."

📜 A Poem about "Abschuss"

Der Jäger zielt, der Schuss erklingt,
ein Abschuss, der das Ende bringt.
Im Stadion der Ball, ein satter Knall,
der Abschuss bringt den Siegeshall.
Doch fragst du sie, mit Herzenspein,
gibt's einen Abschuss – und du bist allein. Ein Wort, drei Welten, scharf und klar,
so ist der Abschuss, wunderbar?

Translation:
The hunter aims, the shot resounds,
an Abschuss that the end propounds.
In the stadium the ball, a solid crack,
the Abschuss brings victorious track.
But ask her, with a heart in pain,
you get an Abschuss – and you're alone again.
One word, three worlds, sharp and clear,
such is der Abschuss, wonderful, dear?

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Tier zu Fall bringen,
im Fußballtor den Jubel bringen.
Doch fragst du falsch, kann's bitter sein,
ich bring' dir eine Abfuhr ein.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: der Abschuss)

Translation:
I can bring down an animal,
In the football goal, make celebrations call.
But if you ask wrongly, it can be tart,
I'll bring you a rejection, right from the start.

What am I?
(Solution: der Abschuss)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Abschuss" is composed of the prefix ab- and the noun Schuss (shot).

• ab- can intensify various meanings here: separation (from life, from the sky), completion (the shot is 'fired off'), or even a negative connotation (rejection).
• Schuss refers to the act of shooting.

Interesting: In a military context, a distinction is often made very precisely between different types of 'Abschüsse' (plural), e.g., Abschuss eines Flugzeugs (shooting down of an airplane), Abschuss einer Rakete (shooting down of a missile).