der
Vorschlag
💡 What Exactly is a Vorschlag?
A Vorschlag (noun, masculine) is an idea, plan, or suggestion that is presented to someone else for consideration or acceptance. It's a non-binding recommendation or offer that can be discussed or decided upon.
- Meaning 1: An expressed idea or suggestion (e.g., for an activity, a solution).
- Meaning 2: A more formal proposal or offer (e.g., in a meeting; note that a marriage proposal is usually called "Antrag" in German, but the underlying idea is a type of Vorschlag).
The word always uses the article "der": der Vorschlag.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ag → always masculine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Der Vorschlag
The noun "Vorschlag" is masculine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Vorschlag |
| Genitive | des | Vorschlag(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Vorschlag(e) |
| Accusative | den | Vorschlag |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Vorschläge |
| Genitive | der | Vorschläge |
| Dative | den | Vorschlägen |
| Accusative | die | Vorschläge |
📝 Example Sentences
- Nominative: Der Vorschlag klingt interessant.
(The suggestion sounds interesting.) - Genitive: Die Annahme des Vorschlags wurde einstimmig beschlossen.
(The acceptance of the proposal was decided unanimously.) - Dative: Ich stimme dem Vorschlag zu.
(I agree with the suggestion.) - Accusative: Hast du den Vorschlag gelesen?
(Have you read the proposal?) - Plural: Wir haben viele gute Vorschläge erhalten.
(We received many good suggestions.)
🗣️ How to Use "Vorschlag"?
"Vorschlag" is commonly used in everyday life and professional settings when exchanging ideas or suggestions.
- Einen Vorschlag machen: This is the most common collocation, meaning 'to make a suggestion'. Example: "Ich möchte einen Vorschlag machen." (I would like to make a suggestion.)
- Einen Vorschlag annehmen/ablehnen: Describes the reaction to a suggestion – 'to accept/reject a suggestion'. Example: "Sein Vorschlag wurde leider abgelehnt." (Unfortunately, his suggestion was rejected.)
- Ein guter/schlechter/interessanter Vorschlag: Adjectives used to evaluate the suggestion – 'a good/bad/interesting suggestion'. Example: "Das war ein wirklich guter Vorschlag!" (That was a really good suggestion!)
- Auf einen Vorschlag eingehen: Means 'to consider' or 'to respond to a suggestion'. Example: "Können wir auf deinen Vorschlag später eingehen?" (Can we address your suggestion later?)
Compared to "Idee" (idea), a "Vorschlag" is often more concrete and aims to elicit a reaction or decision from others. An "Empfehlung" (recommendation) is similar but emphasizes the advisory aspect more strongly.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Superman proposing an idea. Proposals often come from strong, decisive figures (often grammatically masculine in German) - DER Vorschlag.
Meaning Mnemonic: "Vor-schlag" sounds a bit like "fore-slag" or bringing something forward ("vor") with a verbal hit or push ("Schlag"). You're pushing an idea forward for others to see – a proposal or suggestion.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Similar Meaning (Synonyms)
- Anregung (die): An idea meant to stimulate thought or action; stimulus, suggestion.
- Idee (die): An idea or concept, often less formal than a Vorschlag.
- Empfehlung (die): A recommendation, advice to do something specific.
- Antrag (der): Often more formal, like an application or motion (e.g., to an authority or in a meeting).
- Angebot (das): An offer, a proposal to do or supply something under specific conditions.
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef seine Mitarbeiter: "Hat jemand einen Vorschlag, wie wir unsere Arbeitsmoral verbessern können?"
Meldet sich einer: "Ja, Chef! Freitags früher Feierabend machen!"
Chef: "Guter Vorschlag! Noch jemand einen Vorschlag, wie wir arbeiten können?"
Translation:
The boss asks his employees: "Does anyone have a suggestion on how we can improve our work morale?"
One speaks up: "Yes, boss! Finishing earlier on Fridays!"
Boss: "Good suggestion! Does anyone else have a suggestion on how we can work?"
✍️ Poem about Suggestions
Ein kleiner Gedanke, leis' gesagt,
als Vorschlag in den Raum gewagt.
Kein Zwang, kein Muss, nur eine Spur,
ein Impuls für die nächste Tour.
Man prüft ihn, wägt ihn, hin und her,
ist dieser Vorschlag brauchbar, fair?
Manchmal genial, manchmal verwegen,
liegt im Vorschlag oft ein Segen.
Translation:
A little thought, softly spoken,
As a suggestion, bravely woken.
No force, no must, just a trace,
An impulse for the next pace.
One checks it, weighs it, to and fro,
Is this suggestion useful, does it glow?
Sometimes genius, sometimes bold,
In a suggestion, blessings unfold.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin kein Befehl, doch biete Richtung an.
Ich kann gut sein oder schlecht, man hört mich gern sodann.
Man macht mich oft in Runden, im Job und auch privat.
Was bin ich wohl, die Idee für eine Tat?
Lösung: Der Vorschlag
Translation:
I'm not a command, but offer direction.
I can be good or bad, heard with affection.
I'm often made in meetings, at work or home with care.
What am I, this idea for an action to share?
Answer: Der Vorschlag (The suggestion)
🧩 Word Components
The word "Vorschlag" is composed of:
- vor-: Prefix indicating a forward direction or temporal priority ('before', 'fore-').
- Schlag (der): Originally from "schlagen" (to hit, strike, beat). The combination figuratively means 'to bring something forward' or 'to propose/initiate something'.
Interestingly, "Schlag" can have many meanings (heartbeat, punch, tennis serve), but in "Vorschlag" it carries the figurative meaning of initiating an idea.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Vorschlag?
The German word "Vorschlag" is always masculine. The correct article is der Vorschlag. The plural is die Vorschläge.