der  Erlass

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈlas/

📜 What does 'der Erlass' mean?

The German noun der Erlass (masculine) primarily has two meanings:

1. An official order or decree: This refers to a regulation or rule issued by an authority, government, or another authorized body. Synonyms include Dekret (decree), Verfügung (ordinance), Verordnung (regulation).
   Example: Der Minister erließ einen neuen Erlass zur Regelung der Studiengebühren. (The minister issued a new decree regulating tuition fees.)
2. Remission or waiver (of a debt or punishment): This often relates to waiving the collection of debts (Schuldenerlass - debt relief) or cancelling a penalty (Straferlass - remission of sentence).
   Example: Dem Schuldner wurde ein teilweiser Erlass seiner Verbindlichkeiten gewährt. (The debtor was granted partial remission of his liabilities.)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

🧐 Grammar of 'der Erlass' in Detail

The noun 'Erlass' is masculine. It follows the strong declension pattern.

Singular

Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• Der neue Erlass des Bürgermeisters trat sofort in Kraft.
  (The mayor's new decree came into effect immediately.) [Meaning: decree]
• Sie hoffte auf einen Erlass ihrer Steuerschuld.
  (She hoped for a remission of her tax debt.) [Meaning: remission/waiver]
• Die Erlasse der Regierung wurden im Amtsblatt veröffentlicht.
  (The government's decrees were published in the official gazette.) [Plural, Meaning: decrees]
• Wegen guter Führung erhielt er einen teilweisen Erlass seiner Strafe.
  (Due to good conduct, he received a partial remission of his sentence.) [Meaning: remission/waiver]

💡 How to use 'Erlass'

The term der Erlass is primarily used in formal, official, or legal language.

• As an order/decree: Often in the context of laws, regulations, or official instructions. You might hear about a ministerieller Erlass (ministerial decree), a behördlicher Erlass (administrative order), or a gesetzlicher Erlass (statutory instrument/order based on law).
• As a remission/waiver: Frequently in financial or legal contexts. Typical collocations are Schuldenerlass (debt relief/remission), Straferlass (remission of sentence), Zinserlass (interest waiver). It can occasionally mean that a duty or task is waived (e.g., Erlass der Hausaufgaben - waiver of homework - rather rare and informal).

Distinctions:

• Gesetz (law) vs. Erlass (decree): A Gesetz is typically passed by parliament and holds higher legal status than an Erlass, which often originates from an executive body (like a ministry) and is based on or specifies a Gesetz.
• Befehl (command) vs. Erlass (decree): A Befehl is usually more direct and often military or hierarchical, whereas an Erlass is more of a formal, written order.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Erlass'

Article Mnemonic: Think of der Befehl (the command) or der Schriftsatz (the legal document). An Erlass is often something similar, official, masculine, strict – hence der Erlass.

Meaning Mnemonic: The verb 'erlassen' is inside 'Erlass'. 'Er lässt es' means 'He lets it'. An authority lets a new rule be known (decree), or a creditor lets the debt go (remission). So, an Erlass is something 'let forth' or 'let go'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Misleading Words

• Der Anlass: reason, occasion (e.g., aus gegebenem Anlass - for a specific reason)
• Der Einlass: admission, entry (e.g., Einlass nur mit Ticket - admission only with ticket)
• Der Nachlass: estate (inheritance), discount (e.g., den Nachlass regeln - settle the estate, einen Nachlass gewähren - grant a discount)

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seinen neuen Mitarbeiter: "Kennen Sie den neuesten Erlass zur Pausenregelung?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Nein, aber wenn Sie ihn mir vorstellen, lasse ich ihn vielleicht herein!"

Translation:
The boss asks his new employee: "Do you know the latest decree about the break regulations?"
The employee replies: "No, but if you introduce him (den Erlass) to me, maybe I'll let him in!" (A pun on "erlassen" sounding like "hereinlassen" - to let in)

✍️ Poem about the Erlass

Ein Erlass, mal streng, mal mild,
vom Amt ein offizielles Bild.
Mal Vorschrift, klar und fest,
mal Schuldenlast, die man verlässt.

Der Erlass, ein Wort mit Macht,
hat Ordnung oft gebracht.
Ob Strafe weg, ob Regel neu,
man bleibt ihm selten treu.

Translation:

A decree, sometimes strict, sometimes mild,
from the office, an official child (image).
Sometimes a rule, clear and fast,
sometimes a debt burden that is cast (away).

The decree, a word of might,
has often brought order to light.
Whether punishment gone, or rule anew,
one seldom stays true.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme von oben, bin oft auf Papier,
manchmal befrei' ich, manchmal sag' ich: "Bleib hier!"
Im Amt bin ich wichtig, im Recht nicht ganz klein,
mal bin ich Verordnung, mal lass ich Schulden sein.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I come from above, am often on paper,
Sometimes I set free, sometimes I say: "Stay here, neighbour!"
In office I'm important, in law not too small,
Sometimes I'm a regulation, sometimes I let debts fall.

What am I?

Solution: Der Erlass (the decree / the remission)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Formation (Wortbildung): The word 'Erlass' is a nominalization (Substantivierung) of the verb 'erlassen'. The verb 'erlassen' originally meant "to let out", "to let go" and evolved to the meanings "to proclaim" (to issue an order) and "to waive" (to let a debt/penalty go).

Context (Kontext): The precise legal meaning of an Erlass can vary depending on the legal system (federal, state - Bund, Land) and the subject area in Germany.