die  Abmahnung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌmaːnʊŋ/

🧐 What exactly is an Abmahnung?

The German word die Abmahnung refers to a formal warning or reprimand concerning specific misconduct. It requests the person concerned to cease this behavior in the future. An Abmahnung often has legal significance and can be a preliminary step to further measures.

Key contexts include:

• Employment Law (Arbeitsrecht): An employer issues an Abmahnung to an employee for misconduct (e.g., lateness, refusal to work). Repeated Abmahnungen for similar breaches of duty can justify dismissal for conduct-related reasons (verhaltensbedingte Kündigung).
• Competition Law (Wettbewerbsrecht): Companies issue Abmahnungen to competitors for unfair competition practices.
• Copyright Law (Urheberrecht): Rights holders issue Abmahnungen to individuals for copyright infringements (e.g., illegal file sharing). Often called a 'cease and desist letter' in this context.
• Tenancy Law (Mietrecht): A landlord issues an Abmahnung to a tenant for breaches of the rental agreement (e.g., noise disturbance, unauthorized subletting).

⚠️ An Abmahnung is more than just an informal telling-off (Ermahnung); it serves as an official warning and documents the misconduct.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar & Declension of Abmahnung

The word "Abmahnung" is a feminine noun. The correct article is die.

Example Sentences

1. Der Arbeitnehmer erhielt eine Abmahnung wegen wiederholten Zuspätkommens.
   (The employee received a formal warning for repeated lateness.)
2. Die Anwaltskanzlei verschickte zahlreiche Abmahnungen wegen Urheberrechtsverletzungen.
   (The law firm sent out numerous warning letters regarding copyright infringements.)
3. Nach der dritten Abmahnung droht die Kündigung des Arbeitsvertrages.
   (After the third formal warning, termination of the employment contract is threatened.)
4. Sie legte Widerspruch gegen die Abmahnung ein.
   (She filed an objection against the formal warning.)

🗣️ Usage in Daily Life and Law

The term Abmahnung is predominantly used in formal and legal contexts. It's less common in everyday casual conversation unless discussing issues related to employment or copyright law.

• Typical Situations: Receiving an official letter from an employer, lawyer, or landlord. Discussing the consequences of misconduct.
• Distinction: An Ermahnung or Verwarnung (admonition, caution) can be verbal and less formal, and doesn't necessarily carry the same legal weight as a properly formulated Abmahnung (especially in employment law, where it often must be written and meet specific criteria to be valid). A Mahnung usually refers to a reminder to pay an outstanding bill (payment reminder).
• Connotation: The word has a clearly negative connotation, as it points out wrongdoing and often entails unpleasant consequences.

🧠 Mnemonics for Abmahnung

Article Mnemonic: Most German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of die Warnung (the warning) or die Kündigung (the termination), which might follow an Abmahnung. All use die.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: "Ab-" sounds like the English "up" reversed, or think of it as meaning 'away' or 'off' (as in 'cut it off!'). "Mahnung" sounds a bit like 'moaning' – it's a formal 'moaning' or warning about behavior that needs to stop ('ab'). So, an Abmahnung is a warning to cut off ('ab') bad behavior.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Mahnung: Usually a payment reminder for overdue invoices. Does not have the same function in employment or competition law as an Abmahnung.
• Ermahnung: Often a verbal, less formal admonition without the strict legal requirements of an Abmahnung.

😂 A Little Joke

Chef: "Haben Sie schon mal eine Abmahnung bekommen?"
Mitarbeiter: "Nein, bisher habe ich immer nur welche verschickt! Ich war vorher Anwalt für Arbeitsrecht."

Translation:

Boss: "Have you ever received a formal warning (Abmahnung)?"
Employee: "No, so far I've only ever sent them out! I used to be an employment lawyer."

📜 Poem about the Abmahnung

Ein Brief kommt an, mit ernstem Ton,
Die Abmahnung, man kennt sie schon.
Ein Fehltritt war's, nun ist's notiert,
Dass solches nicht noch mal passiert.
Sie mahnt zur Besserung, ganz klar,
Sonst wird die Kündigung bald wahr.
Ein Schreckmoment, doch auch 'ne Chance,
Zu ändern schnell die Arbeitsbalance.

Translation:

A letter arrives, with serious tone,
The formal warning, it is known.
A misstep made, now noted down,
That such behaviour leave the town.
It urges change, makes it quite clear,
Or termination will be near.
A moment's shock, but chance resides,
To quickly change the working tides.

❓ Riddle

Ich komme schriftlich, selten mündlich nur,
bin im Büro gefürchtet, folge falscher Spur.
Ich rüge dein Verhalten, ganz formell,
beim Chef, im Netz, im Wettbewerb – ganz schnell.
Ignorierst du mich, kann's teuer werden, das ist wahr,
oder der Job ist weg, das ist doch klar.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I come in writing, rarely just by word,
In offices I'm feared, correcting paths absurd.
I reprimand your conduct, formally,
From boss, online, in competition – swiftly.
Ignore me, and the cost can be quite high, it's true,
Or else your job is gone, it's clear for you.

What am I? Solution: die Abmahnung (the formal warning / cease and desist letter)

ℹ️ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Abmahnung" is composed of:

• The prefix ab-: This can have various meanings, here in the sense of 'reprimanding', 'rebuking', or 'stopping something'.
• The verb stem mahn-: From the verb "mahnen", meaning 'to warn', 'to remind', or 'to urge'.
• The suffix -ung: This forms nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die).

Legal Significance:

In the German legal system, the Abmahnung plays a crucial role, especially in employment, copyright, and competition law. It aims to resolve legal infringements out of court and gives the recipient the opportunity to change their behavior before legal action is taken. It is often a prerequisite for further legal steps (e.g., injunction, claim for damages, termination of contract).