die
Absage
🤷♀️ What does 'die Absage' mean?
Die Absage (noun, feminine) refers to a notification by which something rejected, refused, or cancelled is announced. It's the opposite of a Zusage (acceptance) or Bestätigung (confirmation).
Typical contexts include:
- Rejection of an application (Jobabsage - job rejection)
- Cancellation of an event or appointment
- Refusal of a proposal or request
It's a noun derived from the verb absagen (to cancel, to refuse).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Absage
As a feminine noun, 'Absage' uses the article 'die'. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Absage |
| Genitive | der | Absage |
| Dative | der | Absage |
| Accusative | die | Absage |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Absagen |
| Genitive | der | Absagen |
| Dative | den | Absagen |
| Accusative | die | Absagen |
Example Sentences
- Leider musste ich eine Absage für die Einladung schreiben.
(Unfortunately, I had to write a refusal for the invitation.) - Er hat viele Absagen auf seine Bewerbungen erhalten.
(He received many rejections for his applications.) - Die Absage des Konzerts enttäuschte die Fans.
(The cancellation of the concert disappointed the fans.) - Trotz der Absage bleibt er optimistisch.
(Despite the rejection, he remains optimistic.)
🗣️ How to use 'Absage'?
'Die Absage' is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts when communicating something negative or a refusal.
- Professional context: An Absage to a job application is unfortunately common. Companies often send standardized Absageschreiben (rejection letters).
- Events/Appointments: One speaks of an Absage when a meeting, concert, trip, or appointment cannot take place (e.g., Konzertabsage - concert cancellation, Terminabsage - appointment cancellation).
- Personal context: You can also give an Absage in private life, for example, to an invitation to a party.
⚠️ Sometimes 'Absage' is used synonymously with 'Ablehnung' (rejection), although 'Ablehnung' can often have a stronger emotional component, while 'Absage' might sound more neutral (especially for appointments).
💡 Mnemonics for Absage
Article mnemonic: Remember that an Absage is often a type of Mitteilung (message, notification) – and Mitteilung is also feminine (die Mitteilung). This helps you remember die Absage.
Meaning mnemonic: Imagine someone sagt (says) that you are abgelehnt (rejected) or something is cancelled ('off'). Ab + sagen = Absage (saying something away/off = cancelling/rejecting).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Ablehnung: often stronger, more emotional rejection
- Zurückweisung: rejection, refusal
- Stornierung: cancellation (mostly for bookings, appointments, orders)
- Korb (geben/bekommen): colloquial for rejection (esp. in relationships, 'to get shot down')
- Negativbescheid: formal/official negative notification
Antonyms (opposites):
- Zusage: acceptance, confirmation, positive reply
- Annahme: acceptance (e.g., of an offer)
- Bestätigung: confirmation (that something will happen or is valid)
- Einladung: invitation
- Positivbescheid: formal/official positive notification
😄 A little joke
Warum hat der Brief mit der Absage geweint?
Weil er so viele schlechte Nachrichten überbringen musste und einfach nicht mehr 'Nein' sagen wollte!
(Why did the rejection letter cry?
Because it had to deliver so much bad news and just didn't want to say 'No' anymore!)
📜 A short poem
Ein Brief kommt an, das Herz schlägt bang,
Ist's Zuspruch oder harter Strang?
Ein Blick genügt, die Schrift so klar,
Die Absage, sie ist nun da.
Doch Kopf hoch, Mut nicht gleich verlieren,
Neue Wege ausprobieren!
(A letter arrives, the heart beats anxiously,
Is it encouragement or a harsh blow?
One glance suffices, the writing so clear,
The rejection, it is now here.
But head up, don't lose courage right away,
Try out new ways!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Wort, oft kurz und knapp,
Bring' manchmal Trauer oder Papp.
Ich sag' dir 'Nein', zu Plan und Bitte,
Bin höflich oft, doch ohne Mitte.
Was bin ich?
(I am a word, often short and concise,
Sometimes bring sorrow or make you feel flat.
I tell you 'No', to plan and request,
Am often polite, yet without a center [compromise].
What am I?)
(Solution: die Absage)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
'Absage' is a noun derived from the verb 'absagen'. This verb is composed of:
- ab-: A prefix meaning 'off', 'away', 'down', or indicating separation or cancellation here.
- sagen: The base verb 'to say' or 'to tell'.
Therefore, 'absagen' literally means something like 'to say away' or 'to end/reject by speaking'. The noun is formed by adding the suffix '-e' and changing the article to 'die'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Absage?
The German word 'Absage' is always feminine. The correct article is die Absage. The plural form is die Absagen.