der
Ausklang
🎶 What does "der Ausklang" mean?
Der Ausklang describes the gradual end or the harmonious conclusion of something. It's often used to describe the end of an event, a period, or a piece of music that finishes slowly and pleasantly.
- Conclusion/End: The final part or phase of something (e.g., a party, a day, a discussion). Der Ausklang des Abends war sehr entspannt. (The end of the evening was very relaxed.)
- Fading away/Resonance: The slow diminishing or fading of a sound (especially in music). Der lange Ausklang der Glocke. (The long fading sound of the bell.)
It often implies a gentle, quiet, or satisfying ending, as opposed to an abrupt one (ein abruptes Ende).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ang → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Ausklang
The word "Ausklang" is a noun and it's masculine. Its article is der.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Ausklang |
| Genitive | des | Ausklang(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Ausklang |
| Accusative | den | Ausklang |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ausklänge |
| Genitive | der | Ausklänge |
| Dative | den | Ausklängen |
| Accusative | die | Ausklänge |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Abend fand einen gemütlichen Ausklang am Kamin.
The evening found a cozy conclusion by the fireplace. - Der lange Ausklang der Glocke war weithin zu hören.
The long fading sound of the bell could be heard far and wide. - Wir genossen den friedlichen Ausklang des Konzerts.
We enjoyed the peaceful end of the concert. - Die Diskussion fand einen versöhnlichen Ausklang.
The discussion came to a conciliatory conclusion.
💡 How to use "Ausklang"?
"Der Ausklang" is used to describe a slow, often pleasant ending. It's stylistically a bit more sophisticated than simple words like Ende (end) or Schluss (end, close).
- Contexts: Often used in connection with events (Konzert, Feier, Tagung - concert, celebration, conference), times of day (Abend - evening), musical pieces, or even discussions and relationships when they end harmoniously.
- Distinction:
- Typical Phrases: "einen schönen Ausklang finden" (to find a nice ending), "den Abend ausklingen lassen" (to let the evening wind down), "der musikalische Ausklang" (the musical conclusion/epilogue).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
- Article "der": Imagine a director, DER Dirigent (the conductor), who is male, signaling the final note which klingt aus (fades out). Associate the male conductor with 'der'.
- Meaning: Think of "aus" (out) + "Klang" (sound). A sound is fading out, ending gently. That's the Ausklang.
The final sound, it doesn't stop short,
It gently fades aus, a pleasant sort.
Der lovely ending, nice and calm,
Der Ausklang brings a soothing balm.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Ende: General term for 'end'.
- Schluss: Similar to Ende, often more colloquial 'close', 'end'.
- Abschluss: Emphasizes the completion or conclusion of something.
- Finale: The often culminating final part (music, sports).
- Nachhall: The resonance or reverberation of a sound after it's produced.
- Verklingen: The act of a sound fading away.
⚠️ Similar Words:
😄 A little Joke for the End
DE: Warum hat der Musiker seinen Wecker kaputt gemacht?
Damit der Tag keinen Misston im Ausklang hat! 😉
EN: Why did the musician break his alarm clock?
So the day wouldn't have a discordant note in its ending (Ausklang)! 😉
📜 Poem about the Word
DE:
Der Tag neigt sich, das Licht wird weich,
Ein letzter Ton, so zart und gleich.
Die Feier still, die Stimmen leise,
Der Ausklang kommt auf seine Weise.
Kein jähes End', kein lauter Knall,
Nur Frieden senkt sich über All.
Ein Hauch von dem, was eben war,
Im sanften Ausklang, wunderbar.
EN:
The day descends, the light turns soft,
A final note, so tender, aloft.
The party quiet, voices low,
The Ausklang comes, a gentle flow.
No sudden end, no jarring sound,
Just peace settles all around.
A breath of what has just passed by,
In the soft ending, reaching high.
🧩 Riddle Time
DE:
Ich bin das Ende, doch nicht abrupt,
Ich lasse Töne schweben in der Luft.
Ein Fest, ein Tag, ein Lied geschwind,
Bring ich zu Ruh', ganz sanft und lind.
Man sagt, ich sei 'der' gute Schluss,
Ein letzter, leiser Abschiedskuss.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: Der Ausklang
EN:
I am the end, but not abrupt,
I let the tones float up.
A feast, a day, a song so fleet,
I bring to rest, both soft and sweet.
They say I am 'der' good close,
A final, quiet goodbye kiss, I suppose.
What am I?
Solution: Der Ausklang
✨ Further Insights
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):
The word "Ausklang" is composed of:
- Prefix aus-: indicates movement outwards, an end, or cessation.
- Verb stem kling- (from 'klingen'): to sound, to make a sound.
- Suffix -ang: forms a noun from the verb here, similar to 'Gesang' (singing) or 'Klang' (sound).
The composition highlights the meaning: the cessation of sounding, the fading away of sound.
Cultural Significance (Kulturelle Bedeutung):
In German culture, emphasis is often placed on having a pleasant "Ausklang," whether at social gatherings, cultural events, or simply at the end of a workday. It reflects a desire for harmony and a satisfying conclusion.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ausklang?
The word Ausklang is masculine. The correct article is der Ausklang. The plural is die Ausklänge.