die  Abstimmung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔapʃtɪmʊŋ/

🗳️ What does "die Abstimmung" mean?

Die Abstimmung is a feminine noun with several meanings:

1. Vote / Ballot / Poll: This refers to the process where a group of people expresses their opinion or preference on a specific question or election by casting their vote. This is the most common meaning, especially in political or social contexts. Example: Die Abstimmung über das neue Gesetz findet morgen statt. (The vote on the new law takes place tomorrow.)
2. Coordination / Agreement / Harmonization: This is the process of coordinating different elements, plans, opinions, or colours so they fit together or function well. Example: Eine gute Abstimmung im Team ist wichtig für den Projekterfolg. (Good coordination within the team is important for the project's success.)
3. Tuning (musical instruments, etc.): This refers to adjusting musical instruments to the correct pitch or adjusting timbres/colours. Example: Die Abstimmung der Gitarre dauerte nur wenige Minuten. (Tuning the guitar only took a few minutes.)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Abstimmung" in Detail

"Die Abstimmung" is a feminine noun. It belongs to the group of nouns ending in -ung, which are almost always feminine in German. Here is the declension:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Grammatical Examples

• Nominative: Die Abstimmung war sehr knapp. (The vote was very close.)
• Genitive: Das Ergebnis der Abstimmung wird bald bekannt gegeben. (The result of the vote will be announced soon.)
• Dative: Wir haben uns nach der Abstimmung getroffen. (We met after the vote.)
• Accusative: Sie forderten die Abstimmung. (They demanded the vote.)
• Plural: Es gab mehrere Abstimmungen zu diesem Thema. (There were several votes/coordination meetings on this topic.)

💡 How to use "die Abstimmung"?

Context-Dependent Usage

• Politics/Society: Here, "Abstimmung" usually refers to a vote, ballot, or referendum. (e.g., eine parlamentarische Abstimmung - a parliamentary vote, eine Volksabstimmung - a referendum/popular vote)
• Work/Project Management: In this context, it means coordination, consultation, or agreement. (e.g., die Abstimmung von Terminen - the coordination of appointments, die inhaltliche Abstimmung - coordination regarding content)
• Technology/Music: Here, it relates to precise setting or adjustment. (e.g., die Abstimmung eines Motors - the tuning of an engine, die Abstimmung von Farben - the coordination/matching of colours, die Abstimmung eines Instruments - the tuning of an instrument)

Comparison with Similar Words

• Wahl (die): Often synonymous with Abstimmung in the political sense, but "Wahl" emphasizes the selection of people (Bundestagswahl - federal election), while "Abstimmung" often refers to deciding on an issue (Gesetzesabstimmung - vote on a law).
• Koordination (die): Similar to Abstimmung in the sense of harmonization, but often broader, referring to the organization of processes.
• Stimmung (die): Can mean the pitch in music (like Abstimmung), but also atmosphere or mood. Die Abstimmung is the *process* of tuning.

Common Idioms

• etwas zur Abstimmung bringen/stellen: to put something to a vote.
• in enger Abstimmung mit jemandem: in close consultation/coordination with someone.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Abstimmung"

Article Mnemonic (die)

Remember that nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Think of other process/result words like die Entscheidung (the decision), die Lösung (the solution), die Meinung (the opinion) – they are all 'die', just like die Abstimmung. You can imagine 'the' decision or 'the' coordination process as a unified concept, which helps link it to 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic

The word contains "Stimmung", related to the verb "stimmen" (to be right, to tune, to vote) and the noun "Stimme" (voice, vote). Think about making things 'stimmen' (right/aligned):

1. You cast your Stimme (vote) -> Abstimmung (vote/ballot).
2. You bring things into agreement (Übereinstimmung) -> Abstimmung (coordination).
3. You stimmen (tune) an instrument -> Abstimmung (tuning).

Essentially, it's always about bringing something into alignment or reaching a decision.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Abstimmung"

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Die Stimmung: Can mean atmosphere or mood, but also the pitch of an instrument (intonation). Die Abstimmung is the *act* of tuning or coordinating/voting.
• Die Stimme: The voice (human), or the vote cast in an election/poll (Abstimmung).

😄 A Little Joke about Abstimmung

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer ist dafür, dass wir morgen einen Test schreiben?" – Keiner meldet sich. Fragt der Lehrer: "Wer ist dagegen?" – Alle melden sich. Sagt der Lehrer: "Perfekt, das Ergebnis der Abstimmung ist eindeutig: Der Test findet statt, denn die Mehrheit hat sich beteiligt!" 😉

English Translation: The teacher asks: "Who is in favour of having a test tomorrow?" – Nobody raises their hand. The teacher asks: "Who is against it?" – Everyone raises their hand. The teacher says: "Perfect, the result of the vote (Abstimmung) is clear: The test will take place because the majority participated!" 😉

📜 Poem about die Abstimmung

German:
Die Zettel fliegen, Stimmen zählen,
Entscheidung naht, sich nicht verquälen.
Ein Ja, ein Nein, ein leises Raunen,
die Abstimmung lässt alle staunen.

Im Team wird geredet, Plan geschmiedet fein,
die Abstimmung bringt Klarheit rein.
Jeder Schritt wird wohl bedacht,bis das Projekt zum Erfolg erwacht.

Die Geige klingt, noch leicht verstimmt,
der Musiker sie in die Finger nimmt.
Mit feinem Ohr, geschickter Hand,
die Abstimmung bringt Wohlklang ins Land.

English Translation:
The ballots fly, counting the voices,
Decision nears, no need for tortures.
A yes, a no, a quiet murmur low,
the vote (Abstimmung) makes everyone glow.

In the team they talk, forging a fine plan,
the coordination (Abstimmung) brings clarity again.
Every step considered with care,
until the project succeeds beyond compare.

The violin sounds, still slightly off-key,
the musician takes it carefully.
With a fine ear, a skillful hand,
the tuning (Abstimmung) brings sweet sounds to the land.

🧩 Riddle Time

German:
Ich bringe Gruppen zur Entscheidung klar,
ob bei Musik, im Team, ist doch sonnenklar.
Mal bin ich Votum, mal Konsens, mal Klang,
man braucht mich oft, das ganze Leben lang.

Was bin ich? ... Die Abstimmung

English Translation:
I bring groups to a clear decision,
Whether in music, or a team's mission.
Sometimes I'm a vote, consensus, or sound,
You often need me, all life long, I'm found.

What am I? ... Die Abstimmung

🤓 More Tidbits

Word Origin (Etymology)

The word "Abstimmung" derives from the verb "abstimmen". It consists of the prefix "ab-" and the verb "stimmen". "Stimmen" is related to "Stimme" (voice/vote). Originally, "stimmen" meant something like "to make fitting", "to bring into harmony". The prefix "ab-" can indicate a concluding or comparative action here (coordinating things with each other).

Compound Nouns

"Abstimmung" is often part of compound nouns (Komposita):

• Volksabstimmung: A referendum or popular vote.
• Abstimmungsergebnis: The result of a vote.
• Abstimmungspanne: A technical glitch or human error during a vote.
• Feinabstimmung: A very precise, detailed coordination or tuning (e.g., for technical devices or plans).