der
Eilantrag
What exactly is an Eilantrag? 🧐
An Eilantrag (article: der, gender: masculine) refers to an application or motion that requires expedited processing and decision due to particular urgency. Such applications are typically filed with courts (Gerichte) or public authorities (Behörden) when waiting for the normal procedure would lead to significant disadvantages.
Good news: There's only one article, der, for Eilantrag! It's a compound noun formed from 'Eile' (urgency, haste) and 'Antrag' (application, motion, request).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
Grammar behind the haste: der Eilantrag in Detail 🧐
The word "Eilantrag" is a masculine noun. Here is its declension:
Singular Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Eilantrag | ein Eilantrag | Eilantrag |
| Genitive | des Eilantrag(e)s | eines Eilantrag(e)s | Eilantrag(e)s |
| Dative | dem Eilantrag(e) | einem Eilantrag(e) | Eilantrag(e) |
| Accusative | den Eilantrag | einen Eilantrag | Eilantrag |
Plural Declension
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Eilanträge | (keine) Eilanträge | Eilanträge |
| Genitive | der Eilanträge | (keiner) Eilanträge | Eilanträge |
| Dative | den Eilanträgen | (keinen) Eilanträgen | Eilanträgen |
| Accusative | die Eilanträge | (keine) Eilanträge | Eilanträge |
Example Sentences 📝
- Der Anwalt reichte einen Eilantrag beim Gericht ein.
(The lawyer filed an urgent motion with the court.) - Über den Eilantrag wurde kurzfristig entschieden.
(A decision was made on the urgent motion at short notice.) - Die Erfolgsaussichten des Eilantrags waren ungewiss.
(The prospects of success for the urgent motion were uncertain.) - Wir müssen den Eilantrag sofort vorbereiten!
(We must prepare the urgent application immediately!) - Mehrere Eilanträge gingen gleichzeitig bei der Behörde ein.
(Several urgent applications were received by the authority at the same time.)
When and Where? Using the Eilantrag 🏃♀️
An Eilantrag is always used when swift action is required. This is particularly the case in legal (juristisch) and administrative (behördlich) contexts.
- Court proceedings (Gerichtsverfahren): Here, an Eilantrag often serves to obtain a preliminary injunction (einstweilige Verfügung) or order (einstweilige Anordnung), for example, to prevent an imminent action or to regulate a situation temporarily.
- Administrative proceedings (Verwaltungsverfahren): An Eilantrag can also be submitted to authorities, e.g., to obtain a quick decision on an approval or benefit if special urgency is demonstrated.
Important: The urgency (the so-called Anordnungsgrund) and the claim itself (the Anordnungsanspruch) must be substantiated (glaubhaft gemacht). An Eilantrag is therefore not a means to unreasonably speed up regular procedures.
Related terms include einstweiliger Rechtsschutz (preliminary legal protection), Sofortantrag (immediate application), or dringlicher Antrag (urgent application).
Never forget: Mnemonics for Eilantrag 💡
Article Mnemonic (der):
Think of 'der Antrag' (the application/motion) as a strong, masculine concept in German grammar (like der Vertrag - contract, der Bescheid - decision). It's an active request. Since this one is urgent ('Eil'), it needs the strong, definite masculine article: der Eilantrag. Imagine Der Mann (the man) urgently submits den Antrag.
Meaning Mnemonic (Eile + Antrag):
Break it down: Eil- sounds like the English word 'ail' – if someone is ailing, they need urgent help. Or think of the German verb 'eilen' (to hurry). Antrag sounds a bit like 'on track' – you want to put this request 'on a fast track'. So, an Eilantrag is an 'urgent request put on a fast track'.
Similar but different: Synonyms & Antonyms 🔄
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Dringlichkeitsantrag: Emphasizes the urgency (Dringlichkeit).
- Sofortantrag: Highlights the immediate (sofort) necessity.
- Antrag auf einstweiligen Rechtsschutz/Verfügung: More specific legal term for the goal of the Eilantrag (application for preliminary injunction/relief).
⚠️ Caution: Although similar, these terms might have slightly different connotations or formal requirements depending on the context.
A little chuckle on the topic 😅
DE: Fragt der Richter den Anwalt: "Warum stellen Sie schon wieder einen Eilantrag?" Antwortet der Anwalt: "Weil mein Mandant es eilig hat, Recht zu bekommen – bevor er im Unrecht ist!"
EN: The judge asks the lawyer: "Why are you filing another urgent motion?" The lawyer replies: "Because my client is in a hurry to be proven right – before he's proven wrong!"
A poem on urgency ✍️
DE:
Die Zeit, sie rennt, die Frist wird knapp,
Ein Zögern wär' ein großer Schnapp.
Drum schnell das Blatt, die Schrift gezückt,
Ein Eilantrag wird losgeschickt.
Zum Richter eilt er, zur Behörde schnell,
Bringt hoffentlich die Lösung auf der Stell'.
EN:
Time, it runs, the deadline's tight,
Delay would be a dreadful bite.
So quickly grab the page, the pen,
An Eilantrag is sent again.
To judge it speeds, authority fast,
Hoping the solution comes at last.
Who am I? A little riddle 🤔
DE:
Ich werde schnell geschrieben,
wenn Fristen übertrieben
kurz erscheinen oder Not entsteht.
Bei Gericht man mich oft seht.
Ich ford're schnelle Reaktion,
bin meistens männlich, kennst du's schon?
Lösung: der Eilantrag
EN:
I'm written quickly,
when deadlines seem ridiculously
short or need arises stark.
In court, I often leave my mark.
I demand a swift reaction,
I'm usually masculine, know the traction?
Solution: der Eilantrag
Trivia and Word Building Blocks 🧱
Word Composition:
The word "Eilantrag" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
- Eil(e): Noun or stem of 'eilen' (to hurry). Represents urgency, speed, haste.
- Antrag: Noun (der Antrag). Means application, motion, proposal, formal request.
So, literally, it means an "application that is urgent" or an "application in haste".
Typical Verbs:
- einen Eilantrag stellen / einreichen (to file / submit an urgent motion)
- über einen Eilantrag entscheiden (to decide on an urgent motion)
- einen Eilantrag genehmigen / ablehnen (to approve / reject an urgent motion)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Eilantrag?
The word Eilantrag is always masculine. The correct article is der (der Eilantrag, des Eilantrags, etc.). It refers to an urgent application or motion submitted to a court or authority.