die  Angelegenheit

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaŋəˌleːɡn̩haɪt/

🧐 What Exactly is 'die Angelegenheit'?

Die Angelegenheit (noun, feminine) refers to a matter, affair, issue, concern, or task that affects someone or needs to be dealt with. It can be something personal, business-related, legal, or administrative.

• Meaning 1: A matter or topic that is relevant or needs to be addressed (e.g., eine geschäftliche Angelegenheit - a business matter).
• Meaning 2: A personal concern or affair (e.g., eine Herzensangelegenheit - a matter close to one's heart).
• Meaning 3: A case or issue, often in a formal or official context (e.g., eine rechtliche Angelegenheit - a legal matter).

🚨 Attention: Although it can be used similarly to "Sache" (thing, matter) or "Thema" (topic), "Angelegenheit" often carries a slightly more formal or urgent tone.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar Spotlight: Die Angelegenheit

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

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Das ist eine dringende Angelegenheit, die sofort erledigt werden muss.
   (This is an urgent matter that must be dealt with immediately.)
2. Können Sie sich bitte um diese Angelegenheit kümmern?
   (Could you please take care of this matter?)
3. Ich widme mich jetzt voll und ganz dieser Angelegenheit.
   (I am now dedicating myself fully to this matter.)
4. Die Lösung der Angelegenheit erfordert viel Fingerspitzengefühl.
   (The solution to the matter requires a lot of tact.)
5. Wir haben viele wichtige Angelegenheiten zu besprechen.
   (We have many important matters to discuss.)

💬 How to Use 'Angelegenheit'?

"Angelegenheit" is frequently used when discussing topics that have a certain level of importance or formality. It's versatile:

• In business/work: "Wir müssen diese geschäftliche Angelegenheit klären." (We need to clarify this business matter.)
• In private life: "Das ist eine rein persönliche Angelegenheit." (That's a purely personal matter.)
• With authorities: "Bitte wenden Sie sich in dieser Angelegenheit an das zuständige Amt." (Please contact the responsible office regarding this matter.)
• Emotionally: "Umweltschutz ist mir eine Herzensangelegenheit." (Environmental protection is a matter close to my heart.)

Comparison with similar words:

• Sache: More general and often more neutral than "Angelegenheit". "Das ist meine Sache." (That's my business/thing.)
• Thema: Refers more to the content of a discussion or conversation. "Das Thema der Sitzung war..." (The topic of the meeting was...)
• Problem: Emphasizes a difficulty or obstacle. "Wir haben ein Problem zu lösen." (We have a problem to solve.) (An Angelegenheit might be a Problem, but doesn't have to be).
• Fall: Often more specific, e.g., in a legal or medical context. "Der Fall wird untersucht." (The case is being investigated.)

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Mnemonic for the article 'die':

Remember: Important matters that concern (angehen) us are often grammatically feminine in German – like die Politik (politics), die Verwaltung (administration), die Angelegenheit. Also, the ending "-heit" almost always indicates a feminine noun!

Mnemonic for the meaning:

Imagine a matter that has come an (towards) you and is currently 'lying' (gelegen) there, waiting to be dealt with – it's an Angelegenheit. It requires your attention!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Gelegenheit (die): Opportunity, chance. ("Nutze die Gelegenheit!" - Take the opportunity!) - Don't confuse them!

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie schon die dringende Angelegenheit mit Herrn Müller geklärt?"
Antwortet der Neue: "Ja, Chef! Wir haben eine Stunde lang über Fußball diskutiert. War das die Angelegenheit?"

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "Have you already settled the urgent matter with Mr. Müller?"
The newbie replies: "Yes, boss! We talked about football for an hour. Was that the matter?"

📜 Poem about the Angelegenheit

Eine wichtige Angelegenheit,
liegt oft schwer in der Zeit.
Ob groß, ob klein, ob ernst, ob heiter,
sie treibt uns an, sie führt uns weiter.
Man packt sie an, mit Mut und Kraft,
bis man die Lösung endlich schafft.
Denn jede Angelegenheit,
sucht ihre Erledigungszeit.

Translation:
An important matter (Angelegenheit),
Often weighs heavy in time.
Whether big or small, serious or cheerful,
It drives us on, it leads us further.
One tackles it, with courage and strength,
Until the solution is finally reached.
Because every matter (Angelegenheit),
Seeks its time of completion.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Körper, doch man muss sich um mich kümmern.
Ich kann wichtig sein oder klein, formell oder intim.
Manchmal bin ich ein Problem, manchmal nur ein Thema.
Ich trage den Artikel "die" und ende auf "-heit".

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have no body, yet you must take care of me.
I can be important or small, formal or intimate.
Sometimes I'm a problem, sometimes just a topic.
I take the article "die" and end in "-heit".

What am I?
(Solution: die Angelegenheit)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word "Angelegenheit" is composed of:

• an-: Prefix indicating direction towards or affecting something (as in "angehen" - to concern).
• gelegen: Past participle of "liegen" (to lie), here in the sense of "suitable," "important," "available."
• -heit: Suffix used to form abstract nouns, usually feminine.

So, it literally describes something that has "come towards" or is "lying before" someone, requiring attention.