die
Abberufung
📜 What exactly does "Abberufung" mean?
Die Abberufung is a noun referring to the formal act by which a person is removed from a position, office, or function. There are two main contexts:
- Dismissal or removal from office: The termination of employment or removal from an elected or appointed office (e.g., a minister, CEO). This often happens due to misconduct, incompetence, or political reasons.
- Recall (diplomatic): The instruction for a diplomat (e.g., ambassador) to return to their home country from their post abroad. This can be a sign of political tension.
⚠️ Important: An Abberufung is usually a formal process, often undesirable for the person affected.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Abberufung
The word "Abberufung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Like many German nouns ending in -ung, it is feminine.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Abberufung |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Abberufung |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Abberufung |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Abberufung |
Declension (Plural)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Abberufungen |
| Genitive | der | Abberufungen |
| Dative | den | Abberufungen |
| Accusative | die | Abberufungen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Abberufung des Ministers sorgte für Schlagzeilen.
(The minister's dismissal/recall made headlines.) - Nach dem Skandal erfolgte seine sofortige Abberufung.
(After the scandal, his immediate dismissal/removal followed.) - Die Abberufung des Botschafters war ein diplomatisches Signal.
(The ambassador's recall was a diplomatic signal.) - Es gab mehrere Abberufungen im Vorstand des Unternehmens.
(There were several dismissals/removals from the company's board.)
🗣️ How "Abberufung" is used
The term "Abberufung" belongs to more formal language and is primarily used in official, political, legal, or professional contexts.
- Professional/Business: Used for the dismissal of a board member, CEO, or another senior management position (die Abberufung eines Vorstandsmitglieds).
- Political/Diplomatic: Refers to the removal from office of politicians (e.g., ministers - die Abberufung eines Ministers) or the recall of diplomats (ambassadors, consuls - die Abberufung eines Botschafters).
- Associations/Organizations: Board members or officials in clubs or organizations can also be subject to an Abberufung.
In everyday language, for a regular job, one would more likely use terms like Entlassung (dismissal), Kündigung (termination), or colloquially Rauswurf (being thrown out) instead of "Abberufung". "Abberufung" usually implies a higher position or an official office.
Comparison:
- Abberufung: Formal, often high positions/offices. Means 'recall' or 'dismissal'/'removal from office'.
- Entlassung: General term for ending employment (can also be formal). Means 'dismissal'.
- Kündigung: Legal act of terminating a contract (employment, lease, etc.). Means 'termination' or 'notice'.
- Rauswurf: Colloquial, often abrupt and dishonorable. Means 'being kicked out'.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Aid: Most German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die). Think of: die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Lösung (solution)... and also: die Abberufung.
Meaning Aid: Imagine someone being called ab (away/off) from their Berufung (their calling/appointment/position). They are recalled or removed -> Ab-berufung.
🔁 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Entlassung: (Dismissal) General term for ending employment.
- Amtsenthebung: (Removal from office) Specifically removing someone from public office.
- Rückruf: (Recall) Especially common in diplomatic context.
- Absetzung: (Deposition, removal) Similar to Amtsenthebung, often for rulers or high officials.
- Suspendierung: (Suspension) Temporary removal from office.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Berufung: (Appointment, nomination) The appointment or installation into an office or position. (Note: This is the base word for Abberufung!)
- Ernennung: (Appointment) Formal act of designating a person for an office.
- Einsetzung: (Installation, appointment) Similar to Ernennung, often a ceremonial act.
- Bestellung: (Appointment) Often used in a business context for CEOs, etc.
⚠️ Similar, but potentially misleading words:
😂 A Little Joke
Warum wurde der Geistliche abberufen?
Er hat zu viele Schäfchen ins Trockene gebracht – aber die falschen!
(Why was the clergyman recalled/dismissed?
He brought too many sheep into the dry [idiom for 'secured his assets/saved things'] – but the wrong ones!)
✍️ Poem about Recall
Der Stuhl ist leer, das Amt ist hin,
die Abberufung hat' ihren Sinn?
Ein Brief besiegelt das Geschick,
man ruft ihn von der Macht zurück.
Ein leiser Abschied, ohne Glanz,
beendet ist der Amtstanz.
(The chair is empty, the office is gone,
does the recall have its reason?
A letter seals the fate,
they call him back from power.
A quiet farewell, without splendour,
the dance of office has ended.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich beende Karrieren, oft abrupt und kühl,
ein formeller Akt, kein weiches Gefühl.
Im Amt oder Ausland, mein Ruf eilt voraus,
ich schicke Personen nach Haus.
Was bin ich?
(I end careers, often abrupt and cool,
a formal act, not a soft feel.
In office or abroad, my reputation precedes me,
I send people home.
What am I?)
Solution: die Abberufung (the recall/dismissal)
🧩 More Details: Word Formation
The word "Abberufung" is a nominalization (forming a noun) of the verb "abberufen" (to recall, to dismiss from office).
It is composed of:
- Prefix "ab-": Expresses separation or removal (like in abschneiden - to cut off, abreisen - to depart).
- Root word "Berufung": This derives from the verb "berufen" (to appoint, to call to office). So, "Berufung" means the appointment or calling.
- Suffix "-ung": Turns verbs into nouns, often denoting the process or result of the action (like in prüfen -> die Prüfung - to examine -> the exam).
Therefore, "Abberufung" literally means the "calling away" or "removal from an appointment/position".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Abberufung?
The word "Abberufung" is feminine. The correct article is die. So you say die Abberufung, der Abberufung (genitive/dative), die Abberufungen (plural).