der
Stichtag
🎯 What Exactly is 'der Stichtag'?
The German noun der Stichtag (plural: die Stichtage) refers to a specific, predetermined calendar day that is crucial for a particular matter, regulation, or deadline. It's the key date by which something must be done, becomes valid, expires, or when a status is recorded (e.g., for statistics or inventories). You could also call it a reference date, key date, or cut-off date.
Imagine it like a marker point on a timeline 📍, establishing: "Up to this point and no further!" or "From this point on, it applies!".
⚠️ Important Distinction: A Stichtag is a single day. It's not the same as a 'Frist' (which describes a period of time, e.g., "innerhalb von 14 Tagen" - within 14 days) or a 'Termin' (an appointment or scheduled meeting at a specific time, e.g., a doctor's appointment).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
Weekdays, months, seasons → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar: 'Der Stichtag' in Detail
The word "Stichtag" is a masculine noun. The article is der.
| Case | Article + Noun |
|---|---|
| Nominative | der Stichtag |
| Accusative | den Stichtag |
| Dative | dem Stichtag |
| Genitive | des Stichtags / des Stichtages |
| Case | Article + Noun |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Stichtage |
| Accusative | die Stichtage |
| Dative | den Stichtagen |
| Genitive | der Stichtage |
📝 Example Sentences
- Der Stichtag für die Anmeldung zum Wettbewerb ist der 15. März. (The deadline for registration for the competition is March 15th.)
- Maßgeblich ist der Warenbestand am Stichtag der Inventur. (The relevant factor is the stock level on the key date of the inventory count.)
- Alle Anträge müssen bis zum festgelegten Stichtag eingereicht werden. (All applications must be submitted by the specified cut-off date.)
- Für die Berechnung des Anspruchs gilt der Stichtag der Antragstellung. (The reference date for calculating the entitlement is the date the application was submitted.)
🗓️ When to Use 'Stichtag'?
The term "Stichtag" is often used in formal or official contexts, especially concerning deadlines, regulations, or data collection:
- Law & Contracts: Setting deadlines for terminations, payments, or the validity of clauses. (e.g., Stichtag for a rent increase)
- Administration & Authorities: Dates for applications, elections, tax returns. (e.g., Stichtag for school enrollment)
- Business & Finance: Balance sheet date (Bilanzstichtag), record date for dividend payments, inventory key date (Inventurstichtag).
- Statistics & Surveys: The specific day to which the collected data refers. (e.g., population figure on the Stichtag Dec 31st)
In everyday conversation, people might just say "Deadline" or "Fristende" (end of period), but in official documents, "Stichtag" is more precise because it always refers to a specific day. It translates closely to 'key date', 'reference date', 'cut-off date', or 'deadline' depending on the context.
💡 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of it as THE important day. In German, 'day' is 'der Tag', so it's likely masculine: der Stichtag. The ending '-tag' often indicates a masculine noun.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine 'stechen' (to prick, pierce, or stick) – this day is 'pricked' or marked ('gestochen') on the calendar as the crucial one: the Stichtag. It 'sticks' out!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Stichtag
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Termin (sometimes, but often means appointment or specific point in time)
- Fristende (end of a deadline period, which can be the Stichtag)
- Zähltermin (counting date, specifically for statistics/inventories)
- Referenzdatum (reference date)
- Einsendeschluss / Meldeschluss (submission deadline / registration deadline)
- Stichtagtermin (somewhat redundant, but used: deadline date)
Similar-sounding but Different Words:
- Stichprobe: A sample taken from a larger group for testing.
- Stichwahl: A runoff election.
- Stichwort: A keyword or cue.
😄 A Little Joke
German: Warum war der Kalender so gestresst?
Weil er zu viele Stichtage hatte!
English: Why was the calendar so stressed?
Because it had too many deadlines (Stichtage)! 😉
📜 Poem about the Stichtag
German:
Der Kalender zeigt's ganz klar,
Ein Tag ist heut' besonders wahr.
Kein Hin und Her, kein langes Warten,
Heut' muss die Sache endlich starten
Oder enden, wie's geschrieben steht,
Bevor die Zeit ganz schnell vergeht.
Ob Zahlung, Antrag, Kündigungsfrist,
Dass man ihn ja nicht vergisst:
Den einen Punkt, fixiert und echt,
Der Stichtag hat sein festes Recht.
English Translation:
The calendar shows it very clear,
One day today is truly dear (or: true).
No back and forth, no long wait,
Today the matter must finally start
Or end, as it is written,
Before time quickly passes.
Whether payment, application, notice period,
That one indeed does not forget it:
The single point, fixed and real,
The key date has its firm right (or: holds its sway).
❓ Riddle
German:
Ich bin ein Tag, doch nicht zum Feiern da.
Ich setze Grenzen, mache Regeln klar.
Ob für Verträge, Zählung oder Wahl,
Verpasst du mich, ist das oft eine Qual.
Was bin ich?
English:
I am a day, but not for celebration.
I set boundaries, make rules clear.
Whether for contracts, counting, or election,
If you miss me, it often brings a tear (lit: torment).
What am I?
Solution: Der Stichtag (The key date / deadline)
🧩 Word Breakdown & More
The word "Stichtag" is a compound noun formed from:
- stechen: Here used in the sense of 'to set', 'to fix', 'to determine'. Historically, important dates might have been marked by 'pricking' or 'engraving' ('stechen') a tally stick.
- der Tag: The day.
Together, it literally means something like "the set/decisive day".
Interestingly, many important legal or financial valuations are tied to a Stichtag to ensure comparability and clarity (e.g., the value of a company on the balance sheet date - Bilanzstichtag).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Stichtag?
The German noun Stichtag is masculine. The correct article is der. It refers to a specific, fixed day that serves as a crucial point in time for deadlines, regulations, or evaluations. The plural is die Stichtage.