die  Abtrennung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔaptʁɛnʊŋ/

📌 What does "die Abtrennung" mean?

Die Abtrennung (noun, feminine) describes the process or result of separating or detaching something. It can refer to various contexts:

• Physical separation: Dividing a space, an object, or a substance. For example, building a wall (Raumabtrennung - room separation) or separating materials.
• Abstract separation: The secession of a group from a larger organization (e.g., political secession), the separation of ideas or concepts, or emotional detachment.
• Technical/Chemical separation: Processes for separating mixtures or components.

Since the word ends in "-ung", it's typically feminine (die Abtrennung). There are no other articles for this word. ⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with similar terms like Trennung (often more general) or Unterbrechung (interruption).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Abtrennung

The noun "Abtrennung" is feminine. The article is always die.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Abtrennung des Arbeitsbereichs erfolgte durch eine Glaswand.
   (The separation of the workspace was done with a glass wall.)
2. Nach der Abtrennung vom Mutterkonzern wurde die Firma selbstständig.
   (After the separation from the parent company, the firm became independent.)
3. Die chemische Abtrennung der Stoffe war erfolgreich.
   (The chemical separation of the substances was successful.)
4. Wir benötigen mehrere Abtrennungen für die verschiedenen Projektteams im Großraumbüro.
   (We need several partitions for the different project teams in the open-plan office.)

🎯 When to use "Abtrennung"?

The term "Abtrennung" is often used in more specific contexts than the more general word Trennung.

• Architecture & Construction: Here it often denotes a physical barrier like a wall, curtain, or partition (e.g., die Abtrennung eines Raumes - the partitioning of a room).
• Technology & Science: Describes precise separation processes (e.g., die Abtrennung von Isotopen - the separation of isotopes).
• Politics & Law: Can refer to the secession or splitting off of a territory or group (e.g., die Abtrennung einer Provinz - the secession of a province).
• Administration & Organization: Separation of departments, areas, or responsibilities.

Compared to Trennung, Abtrennung often emphasizes the act of actively separating or the concrete result (the barrier itself) more strongly. Spaltung (split, division) often implies a rift or conflict.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Abtrennung"

Article Mnemonic (die)

Remember: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. So: die Trennung -> die Abtrennung. Imagine a Queen (die Königin) ordering a wall for Ab-trenn-ung (separation).

Meaning Mnemonic (Separation/Partition)

The word contains "trenn(en)" (to separate). An Ab-trenn-ung is when something is actively separated or partitioned off (implied by 'ab-'). Think of tearing off a piece of paper.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Words like Unterbrechung (interruption) or Abbruch (termination, demolition) are not direct synonyms.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Mathematiker eine Abtrennung in seinem Garten gebaut?
Damit er ungestört Wurzeln ziehen kann!

(Why did the mathematician build a partition (Abtrennung) in his garden?
So he could extract roots (Wurzeln ziehen - also means 'to take square roots') undisturbed!)

✍️ Poem about Abtrennung

Ein Schnitt, ein Bruch, ein leiser Riss,
Die Abtrennung bringt Ungewiss.
Was einst verbunden, fest und klar,
Ist nun geteilt, nicht mehr wie's war. Doch manchmal schafft die neue Wand
Auch Raum für Neues, Hand in Hand.

(A cut, a break, a silent tear,
The separation brings uncertainty near.
What once was joined, firm and clear,
Is now divided, no longer dear.
But sometimes the new wall's stand
Also creates space for new things, hand in hand.)

❓ Riddle

Ich teile Räume, groß und klein,
mal bin ich Wand, mal nur ein Schein.
Manchmal trenn' ich Stoffe rein,
oder lass' 'ne Gruppe allein.

Was bin ich?

(I divide rooms, large and small,
sometimes I'm a wall, sometimes just a show (curtain/screen).
Sometimes I separate substances pure,
or leave a group on its own, secure.

What am I?)
(Answer: die Abtrennung)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Abtrennung" is composed of:

• The prefix "ab-": expresses movement away from something, detachment, or removal.
• The verb stem "trenn(en)": means to divide, separate.
• The suffix "-ung": forms a noun from the verb, indicating the process or result.

Together, they create the meaning of an active detachment or the result of such a separation.