die  Anforderung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanfɔʁdɐʊŋ/

🎯 What exactly is an Anforderung?

Die Anforderung (feminine noun) describes a condition, characteristic, or criterion that must be met. It often refers to something that is demanded or expected to achieve a specific goal, complete a task, or adhere to a standard.

• In professional life (im Beruf): The qualifications needed for a job.
• In technology (in der Technik): The specifications a product or system must meet (requirements).
• In everyday life (im Alltag): A request or claim made upon someone.

⚠️ Attention: Although it sounds similar, a Forderung (demand, claim) is often stronger and more insistent than an Anforderung, which tends to describe a necessary condition or prerequisite.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Die Anforderung

The word "Anforderung" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Anforderungen für diese Stelle sind sehr hoch.
   (The requirements for this position are very high.)
2. Erfüllt das Produkt alle technischen Anforderungen?
   (Does the product meet all technical requirements?)
3. Wir müssen die Anforderungen des Kunden genau analysieren.
   (We need to analyze the customer's requirements carefully.)
4. Der Projektmanager definierte die Anforderungen klar und deutlich.
   (The project manager defined the requirements clearly and distinctly.)

🤔 When to use "Anforderung"?

"Die Anforderung" is frequently used in formal and professional contexts:

• Projektmanagement (Project Management): Defining project goals and specifications (e.g., funktionale Anforderungen (functional requirements), nicht-funktionale Anforderungen (non-functional requirements)).
• Personalwesen (Human Resources): Describing necessary qualifications in job advertisements (e.g., Anforderungsprofil (requirements profile)).
• Technik & IT (Engineering & IT): Setting criteria for software, hardware, or systems (e.g., Systemanforderungen (system requirements)).
• Qualitätsmanagement (Quality Management): Standards and conditions that must be met.
• Allgemein (General): When a condition or criterion must be fulfilled (e.g., die Anforderungen an einen guten Wein (the requirements for a good wine)).

Compared to der Bedarf (need), which often describes a lack or general necessity, die Anforderung (requirement/demand) is a specific condition. Die Forderung (demand/claim) is often more urgent or legally grounded.

💡 How to remember "die Anforderung"

Article Mnemonic

Remember: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of words like die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), and similarly, die Anforderung. Picture a demanding queen (feminine!) stating her requirements. 👑

Meaning Mnemonic

An Anforderung sounds a bit like "on for ordering". It's what's required, what you must have 'on' the list before you can 'order' or achieve something successfully. It's a prerequisite.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

🚨 Potential Confusion

• Die Aufforderung: Request, summons, order to do something (e.g., Zahlungsaufforderung - payment reminder). Focuses more on the action itself.
• Der Bedarf: Need, the general sense that something is lacking or necessary (less specific than an Anforderung).

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: „Erfüllen Sie die wichtigste Anforderung für diesen Job?“
Mitarbeiter: „Welche?“
Chef: „Dass Sie auftauchen!“

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "Do you meet the most important requirement for this job?"
Employee: "Which one?"
Boss: "That you show up!"

📜 Anforderung in Verse

Die Anforderung, klar und rein,
Muss für den Erfolg gegeben sein.
Ob Code, Projekt, ob Lebenslauf,
Sie nimmt stets ihren ernsten Lauf.
Erfüllst du sie mit Fleiß und Mut,
Wird meist am Ende alles gut.

Translation:
The requirement, clear and pure,
Must be provided for success to ensure.
Whether code, project, or CV's course,
It always takes its serious force.
If you fulfill it with diligence and might,
Usually, in the end, all turns out right.

❓ Do you know the word?

Ich bin eine Bedingung, oft schwer,
Man stellt mich im Job und noch viel mehr.
Erfüllt man mich nicht, gibt's oft Verdruss,
Ich bin der Maßstab, der werden muss.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Anforderung)

Translation:
I am a condition, often tough,
I'm set in jobs and more than enough.
If unmet, annoyance often ensues,
I am the standard one must choose.

What am I? (Solution: die Anforderung / the requirement)

🧩 More Information

Word Origin & Composition

The word "Anforderung" is composed of:

• Prefix an-: indicates direction, approach
• Verb fordern: to demand, claim, require
• Suffix -ung: nominalizes the verb (turns it into a noun), typically feminine

It literally describes the act of 'demanding towards' someone or something, or the result of that action – the requirement itself.

Related Words

• anfordern (verb): to request, order (e.g., Unterlagen anfordern - to request documents)
• fordernd (adjective): demanding, challenging
• erforderlich (adjective): required, necessary