der  Entscheid

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛntˈʃaɪ̯t/

📜 What exactly is "der Entscheid"?

Der Entscheid (masculine) refers to a final, often formal or official decision or a ruling / judgment. It is frequently used in legal, administrative, or sports contexts.

Compared to the more general word 'die Entscheidung', which can describe the process of deciding or the result of a personal choice, 'der Entscheid' is more specific and usually refers to a binding determination made by an authority.

⚠️ Note: In everyday language, 'die Entscheidung' is much more common. 'Der Entscheid' often sounds more formal or technical.

📊 Grammar of 'der Entscheid' at a Glance

'Der Entscheid' is a masculine noun.

Singular Declension

Note: The genitive and dative cases can be formed with or without an 'e' ('des Entscheids' / 'des Entscheides'). The form without 'e' is more common.

Plural Declension

The plural ('die Entscheide') is very rare and mostly used only in specific technical contexts (e.g., jurisprudence of multiple instances). Often, 'Entscheidungen' is used instead.

Examples 📝

• Der Entscheid des Gerichts war endgültig. (The court's ruling was final.)
• Wir warten auf den behördlichen Entscheid. (We are waiting for the official decision/notice.)
• Der Schiedsrichter fällte einen umstrittenen Entscheid. (The referee made a controversial decision/call.)
• Der positive Entscheid ermöglicht den Baubeginn. (The positive decision/ruling allows construction to begin.)

🗣️ When to use 'der Entscheid'?

'Der Entscheid' is mainly used in formal contexts:

• Law & Administration: Court rulings (Urteile), official notices (Bescheide), administrative acts (Verwaltungsakte). Example: Der gerichtliche Entscheid steht noch aus. (The court's decision is still pending.)
• Sports: The determination made by a referee or jury. Example: Der Kampfrichter traf einen knappen Entscheid. (The judge made a close decision.)
• Formal Committees: Resolutions by commissions or committees. Example: Der positive Entscheid des Ethikkomitees liegt vor. (The positive decision of the ethics committee is available.)

Distinction from 'die Entscheidung':

• Der Entscheid: Often the final, official result of a formal process; the ruling, the notice.
• Die Entscheidung: Can refer to both the process of deliberation and the outcome (including a personal choice); the choice, the resolution. Example: Meine Entscheidung, umzuziehen, war richtig. (My decision to move was right.) ('Der Entscheid' would be inappropriate here).

Common phrases include einen Entscheid fällen (to make/pass a ruling) or einen Entscheid herbeiführen (to bring about a decision).

💡 Mnemonics to Remember

Article 'der': Think of 'der' as standing for a 'decree' or a 'determination' - strong, official actions often associated with masculine authority figures (like der Richter - the judge) who issue an 'Entscheid'.

Meaning: Imagine someone making a decisive 'end' to a debate with a formal 'shout' (like 'Ent-scheid'). It's the final, authoritative word, the ruling - der Entscheid.

🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms for 'der Entscheid'

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

• Die Entscheidung: As explained above, this is more general and common. 'Der Entscheid' is more specific to formal rulings/determinations.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum treffen Wolken nie einen endgültigen Entscheid? 🤔
... Weil sie immer noch im Schwebezustand sind!

(Why do clouds never make a final decision? 🤔
... Because they are always in a state of suspension/limbo!)

✍️ Poem about the Decision

Im Saal der Waage, schwer und alt,
liegt die Akte, bald wird's kalt.
Argumente fliegen hin und her,
ein klarer Kopf, der wünscht sich sehr.
Dann Stille, tief, die Spannung steigt,
bis der Richter spricht, nichts mehr schweigt.
Es fällt der Hammer, kurz und knapp,
verkündet wird der Entscheid, 'Glück ab' oder 'Schachmatt'.

(In the hall of scales, heavy and old,
lies the file, soon it will grow cold.
Arguments fly back and forth,
a clear head, wishing for its worth.
Then silence, deep, the tension mounts,
until the judge speaks, nothing more counts.
The gavel falls, short and concise,
announced is the ruling, 'good luck' or 'checkmate's price'.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich beende Streit und langes Warten,
in Gerichten und auch in Sportarten.
Bin oft offiziell, auf Papier gebracht,
habe über den Ausgang die Macht.
Manchmal erwartet, manchmal gefürchtet,
durch mich wird die Richtung berichtet.

Was bin ich?

(I end disputes and long waits,
in courts and also in sports debates.
I am often official, put on paper,
over the outcome, I hold the power.
Sometimes expected, sometimes feared,
through me, the direction is steered.)

What am I?

Solution: Der Entscheid (the decision/ruling)

🧩 Further Details

Word Formation: 'Der Entscheid' is a nominalization of the verb stem of 'entscheiden' (to decide). It belongs to the group of deverbal nouns formed without a suffix (like 'der Beginn' from 'beginnen' or 'der Wurf' from 'werfen').

Regional Differences: In Switzerland, 'der Entscheid' is significantly more common in everyday language than in Germany or Austria, often used synonymously with 'die Entscheidung'.