der  Einzelfall

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪntsəlˌfal/

🧐 What Exactly is an 'Einzelfall'?

Der Einzelfall (masculine noun) refers to a specific, individual situation, occurrence, or person that is considered separately from other, similar cases. It's about something concrete that might differ from the general rule or the usual pattern.

The term is often used to emphasize that a particular decision, regulation, or observation applies only to this one situation and cannot or should not be generalized.

For example: You might hear about an Einzelfallentscheidung (a decision made for a specific case) in a legal context.

🚨 Watch out: Don't confuse it with the Regelfall (standard case) or Verallgemeinerung (generalization).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Einzelfall

The word "Einzelfall" is a masculine noun and uses the article der.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Der Einzelfall muss genau geprüft werden. (The specific case must be examined closely.)
• Genitive: Die Besonderheiten des Einzelfalls sind zu berücksichtigen. (The particularities of the specific case must be taken into account.)
• Dative: Wir widmen uns dem Einzelfall mit großer Sorgfalt. (We dedicate ourselves to the specific case with great care.)
• Accusative: Man kann diesen Einzelfall nicht verallgemeinern. (One cannot generalize this specific case.)
• Plural: Solche Einzelfälle kommen immer wieder vor. (Such isolated cases occur again and again.)

💡 How is 'der Einzelfall' Used?

The term "Einzelfall" is frequently used in contexts involving exceptions, specific situations, or individual considerations. Typical areas include:

• Recht und Verwaltung (Law and Administration): For court decisions or administrative regulations that apply only to a specific situation (an Einzelfallentscheidung - case-by-case decision).
• Medizin und Wissenschaft (Medicine and Science): When describing a particular course of illness or a specific research finding that is not representative.
• Alltagssprache (Everyday Language): To express that a certain event or behavior is an exception and not the rule.

Example Contexts:

1. "Das Gericht entschied im Einzelfall zugunsten des Klägers." (The court decided in favour of the plaintiff in this specific case.)
2. "Diese Nebenwirkung trat bisher nur in einem Einzelfall auf." (This side effect has so far only occurred in an isolated case.)
3. "Sein spätes Zukommen war ein Einzelfall; normalerweise ist er pünktlich." (His late arrival was an isolated incident; he is normally punctual.)

Using "Einzelfall" often emphasizes the need for individual examination or assessment rather than making sweeping judgments.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article 'der': Think of 'der' as pointing to 'the' specific, single case. Der Einzel-Fall - 'the individual fall/case'.

For the meaning: Imagine a police lineup. Most suspects look similar (der Regelfall - the normal case), but one individual stands out completely. That's der Einzelfall – the 'single case' that needs special attention.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: A Präzedenzfall (precedent) is often an Einzelfall, but it specifically implies that it might serve as a model for future, similar cases.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Mitarbeiter: "War das jetzt wieder so ein typischer Fehler von Ihnen?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Nein Chef, das war ein kreativer Einzelfall!"

(Boss asks employee: "Was that another typical mistake of yours?"
Employee replies: "No boss, that was a creative isolated incident!")

📜 A Short Poem

Die Regel gilt für viele klar,
(The rule applies clearly to many,)
doch manchmal ist's ganz sonderbar.
(but sometimes it's quite strange.)
Nicht allgemein, nicht breit, nicht fassbar,
(Not general, not broad, not graspable,)
der Einzelfall, ganz einzig dastehbar.
(the isolated case, standing quite uniquely.)
Man prüft ihn tief, mit Sorgfalt, Sinn,
(One examines it deeply, with care, with sense,)
liegt hier vielleicht die Lösung drin?
(does the solution perhaps lie within?)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin speziell und steh' allein,
(I am special and stand alone,)
pass' nicht ins allgemeine Schema rein.
(don't fit into the general scheme.)
Man prüft mich stets gesondert, mit Bedacht,
(I am always examined separately, with consideration,)
weil die Regel hier nicht greift, nicht wacht.
(because the rule doesn't apply here, doesn't watch.)

Was bin ich? / What am I? (...ein Einzelfall / an isolated case)

🧩 Other Information about 'Einzelfall'

Word Composition:

The word "Einzelfall" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Einzel: Meaning 'single', 'individual', 'isolated' (adjective/adverb).
• Fall: Meaning 'case', 'situation', 'event' (masculine noun - 'der Fall').

So, the combination literally means 'single case' or 'isolated case'.

Cultural Significance:

In German-speaking countries, especially in bureaucratic and legal contexts, the distinction between the Einzelfall and the general rule (Regelfall) is quite important. The concept of "Einzelfallgerechtigkeit" (justice in the individual case) aims to do justice to the specific circumstances of a situation, even if it deviates from the norm.