die  Abbildung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌbɪlʊŋ/

🖼️ What does "die Abbildung" mean?

Die Abbildung (feminine) is a versatile German noun, primarily revolving around the idea of representation or depiction.

• Visual Representation: Its most common meaning is a visual representation like an image (Bild), illustration (Illustration), diagram (Diagramm), or figure (Figur) in a book, article, or presentation. Example: "Siehe Abbildung 3 auf Seite 12." (See figure 3 on page 12.)
• Mathematical Term: In mathematics, an Abbildung refers to a function (Funktion) or a mapping that assigns elements from one set (domain) uniquely to elements of another set (codomain). Example: "Die Funktion f(x) = x² ist eine Abbildung..." (The function f(x) = x² is a mapping...)
• The Act of Depicting: Less commonly, it can refer to the process of creating such a representation or mapping. Example: "Die Abbildung der komplexen Strukturen war eine Herausforderung." (The depiction/mapping of the complex structures was a challenge.)

🚨 Since the word only uses the article "die", there's no confusion arising from different articles.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Abbildung

"Abbildung" is a feminine noun. Nouns ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine and thus take the article "die".

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Short Example Sentences

1. Die Abbildung im Lehrbuch verdeutlicht den Prozess.
   (The figure in the textbook illustrates the process.)
2. Die Qualität der Abbildung ist hervorragend.
   (The quality of the illustration is excellent.)
3. Ich füge dem Dokument eine Abbildung hinzu.
   (I am adding an image/figure to the document.)
4. Der Professor verwies auf die verschiedenen Abbildungen.
   (The professor referred to the various figures/illustrations.)
5. Mit diesen Abbildungen können wir die Daten besser verstehen.
   (With these figures/diagrams, we can understand the data better.)

💡 How and When to Use "die Abbildung"?

• In Texts and Publications: Very common in academic papers (wissenschaftliche Arbeiten), textbooks (Lehrbücher), articles, manuals (Anleitungen) to refer to images, graphics, or diagrams. Example: "Wie in Abbildung 5 dargestellt, ..." (As shown in Figure 5, ...)
• In Mathematics: As a clearly defined technical term for functions and mappings. Example: "Wir untersuchen die Eigenschaften dieser linearen Abbildung." (We are examining the properties of this linear mapping.)
• In Technical Contexts: For technical drawings or representations. Example: "Die Abbildung zeigt den Aufbau des Motors." (The illustration shows the structure of the engine.)
• Figuratively: Sometimes used for a representation or reflection. Example: "Diese Statistik ist eine Abbildung der aktuellen Wirtschaftslage." (This statistic is a reflection/representation of the current economic situation.) - less common

Distinction from similar words:

• Bild: General term for any visual representation (photo, painting, drawing). "Abbildung" is often more specific to illustrations/figures within a context.
• Illustration: Focuses strongly on explanatory or decorative images.
• Diagramm/Grafik: Visually represents data or relationships. An "Abbildung" can be a diagram, but not every "Abbildung" is one.
• Funktion (Mathematics): Synonym in the mathematical context, but "Abbildung" often emphasizes the mapping aspect more strongly.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Abbildung"

Article Mnemonic (die): Remember that most German nouns ending in -ung are feminine ('die'). Think of other -ung words like die Bedeutung (the meaning) or die Zeichnung (the drawing). An Abbildung is a kind of Darstellung (representation) -> both end in -ung, both are 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you want to show (or bild) something complex. You create a copy or representation *off* (ab-) the original. This process of 'imaging off' creates an Abbildung (image, figure, mapping).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Abbildung

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Mathelehrer: "Was ist die Lieblingsabbildung eines Geistes?"
Antwort: "Eine Spukfunktion!"

English Translation:

The math teacher asks: "What is a ghost's favorite mapping?"
Answer: "A spook-tion!" (Pun on Funktion/function and Spuk/spook)

📜 Poem about Abbildung

Im Buche, klar und fein,
soll eine Abbildung sein.
Sie zeigt, was Worte kaum erklär'n,
hilft uns, den Inhalt schnell zu lern'.

Auch in der Mathe, logisch rein,
kann sie 'ne Zuordnung sein.
Von A nach B, ein klarer Pfad,
die Abbildung ist stets parat.

English Translation:

In the book, so clear and fine,
there should be an illustration's line.
It shows what words can barely tell,
helps us learn the content well.

In math as well, logically pure,
it can be a mapping, to be sure.
From A to B, a pathway clear,
the mapping/figure is always here.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich zeige dir, was schwer zu sagen,
in Büchern, auf digitalen Wegen.
Mal bin ich Bild, mal Diagramm,
in Mathe heiß' ich Funktion, mein Programm.

Was bin ich, feminin und klug,
oft nummeriert im selben Zug?

English Translation:

I show you what's hard to convey,
In books, or shown the digital way.
Sometimes a picture, chart, or graph you see,
In math, 'function' is a name for me.

What am I, feminine and smart,
Often numbered, playing my part?

Solution: die Abbildung

🌐 Further Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Abbildung" is composed of:

• Prefix "ab-": can indicate derivation, imitation, or a process.
• Stem "Bild": refers to the visual element or image/idea.
• Suffix "-ung": nominalizes the verb "abbilden" (to depict, to map, to represent) and makes the noun feminine.

Trivia:

The plural form "die Abbildungen" is frequently used in scientific and academic contexts, where reference is often made to a series of figures, diagrams, or illustrations.