die
Abschaffung
📜 What exactly does 'Abschaffung' mean?
The word die Abschaffung (feminine) refers to the act or result of abolishing, repealing, or eliminating something. It's the noun form of the verb abschaffen (to abolish).
It's often used in the context of laws (Gesetze), rules (Regeln), institutions (Institutionen), or practices (Praktiken) that are officially terminated.
- Meaning: Abolition, abolishment, repeal, elimination.
🚨 Since the word ends in -ung, it's always feminine and takes the article 'die'. There are no exceptions for nouns ending in -ung.
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 of 'Abschaffung' in Detail
As a feminine noun, 'die Abschaffung' follows the feminine declension pattern.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Abschaffung |
| Genitive | der | Abschaffung |
| Dative | der | Abschaffung |
| Accusative | die | Abschaffung |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Abschaffungen |
| Genitive | der | Abschaffungen |
| Dative | den | Abschaffungen |
| Accusative | die | Abschaffungen |
Note: The plural 'Abschaffungen' is used less frequently, usually when referring to multiple specific acts of abolition.
Example Sentences ✍️
- Die Abschaffung der Todesstrafe war ein wichtiger Schritt für die Menschenrechte.
(The abolition of the death penalty was an important step for human rights.) - Viele Bürger fordern die Abschaffung unnötiger Bürokratie.
(Many citizens demand the abolition of unnecessary bureaucracy.) - Die Debatte über die Abschaffung der Zeitumstellung hält an.
(The debate about the abolition of daylight saving time continues.) - Es gab mehrere Abschaffungen alter Gesetze in dieser Legislaturperiode.
(There were several abolitions/repeals of old laws during this legislative period.)
🗣️ How to use 'Abschaffung'?
'Abschaffung' is mostly used in formal, official, or political contexts. It often implies a deliberate decision, usually legislative or administrative.
- Typical Contexts: Laws (Abschaffung eines Paragrafen - abolition of a paragraph), taxes (Abschaffung der Sektsteuer - abolition of the sparkling wine tax), institutions (Abschaffung der Monarchie - abolition of the monarchy), social practices (Abschaffung der Sklaverei - abolition of slavery), rules (Abschaffung der 5%-Hürde - abolition of the 5% threshold).
- Distinction: While 'Abschaffung' means formal repeal or abolition, words like 'Beseitigung' (elimination, removal) can also mean physical removal. 'Aufhebung' (repeal, cancellation) is very similar but can sometimes imply temporary suspension.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Abschaffung'
Article 'die': Remember that almost all German nouns ending in -ung are feminine ('die'). Think of die Rechnung (the bill), die Meinung (the opinion), die Wohnung (the apartment)... and *die* Abschaffung! It's a very reliable rule.
Meaning: Imagine someone taking something away ('ab') and 'chuffing' it into the bin ('schaffung' sounds a bit like 'chuffing' away). You're getting rid of it – an abolition. Or think: 'Ab' (off/away) + 'schaffung' (making/doing) -> making something go away.
↔️ Opposites and Similar Words: die Abschaffung
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- Aufhebung: (Repeal, cancellation) - Very similar, often interchangeable (e.g., Aufhebung eines Verbots - repeal of a ban).
- Beseitigung: (Elimination, removal) - Can also mean physical removal, but synonymous in the context of rules/laws (e.g., Beseitigung von Missständen - elimination of grievances).
- Außerkraftsetzung: (Invalidation, repeal) - Emphasizes making a regulation invalid.
- Einstellung: (Cessation, discontinuation) - Ending an activity or service (e.g., Einstellung des Betriebs - cessation of operations).
Antonyms (Opposite words):
- Einführung: (Introduction, implementation) - The opposite, starting or establishing something new (e.g., Einführung eines Gesetzes - introduction of a law).
- Beibehaltung: (Retention, maintenance) - Keeping something as it is, not changing it (e.g., Beibehaltung der Regelung - retention of the regulation).
- Schaffung: (Creation) - Creating something new (e.g., Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen - creation of jobs).
- Einrichtung: (Establishment) - Establishing an institution or system.
⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse 'Abschaffung' (abolition) with 'Anschaffung' (acquisition, purchase).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Politiker: "Was halten Sie von der Abschaffung der Schwerkraft?" Antwortet der Bürger: "Nicht viel, das würde mich nur runterziehen!"
(Politician asks: "What do you think about the abolition of gravity?" Citizen answers: "Not much, that would just bring me down!")
✒️ Poem about Abolition
Ein altes Gesetz, nicht mehr gerecht,
Man ruft nach Wandel, laut und echt.
Die Unterschrift, ein Federstrich,
Bringt die Abschaffung, sicherlich.
Was gestern galt, ist heut' passé,
Ein neuer Weg, eine neue Idee.
(An old law, no longer just,
People call for change, loud and robust.
The signature, a stroke of the pen,
Brings the abolition, surely then.
What held true yesterday is past today,
A new path, a new idea's way.)
❓ Riddle
Ich bin das Ende einer Regel,
ein Schlussstrich unter altem Pegel.
Politiker debattieren mich heiß,
damit etwas Altes weicht vom Gleis.
Was bin ich?
... Die Abschaffung
(I am the end of a rule,
a final line under an old level's pool.
Politicians debate me hotly,
so something old leaves the track promptly.
What am I?
... Abolition (die Abschaffung))
🧩 Word Components and More
Word Composition:
- Prefix ab-: Expresses separation, removal, or termination.
- Stem schaff-: From the verb 'schaffen' (here in the sense of 'to do', 'make', 'establish', not 'to create').
- Suffix -ung: Forms a noun from a verb, denoting a process or its result; makes the word feminine.
Historical Context: The term 'Abschaffung' is central to many historical debates, such as the Abschaffung der Sklaverei (abolition of slavery) or the Abschaffung der Monarchie (abolition of the monarchy).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Abschaffung?
The noun 'Abschaffung' is feminine. It always takes the article die (die Abschaffung). The plural form is die Abschaffungen.