die
Anlaufstelle
📍 What exactly is an Anlaufstelle?
Die Anlaufstelle (feminine) refers to a place, person, or organization that you can turn to for information, help, advice, or support. It's the first point of contact (erster Kontaktpunkt) for a specific issue or problem.
You can think of it like a port (Hafen) you head towards when you need assistance.
- It often acts as an intermediary (Vermittler) connecting you to more specialized services.
- Examples include counseling centers (Beratungsstellen), information desks (Informationsschalter), customer service departments (Kundendienste), or specific facilities for certain groups (e.g., for the unemployed, youth, migrants).
There are no different meanings based on the article, as 'Anlaufstelle' is always feminine (die Anlaufstelle).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Anlaufstelle
The word "Anlaufstelle" is a feminine noun. The article is always "die". Here is the declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anlaufstelle |
| Genitive | der | Anlaufstelle |
| Dative | der | Anlaufstelle |
| Accusative | die | Anlaufstelle |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anlaufstellen |
| Genitive | der | Anlaufstellen |
| Dative | den | Anlaufstellen |
| Accusative | die | Anlaufstellen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Bürgerbüro ist die zentrale Anlaufstelle für viele Verwaltungsangelegenheiten.
(The citizen's office is the central point of contact for many administrative matters.) - Für Fragen zur Studienfinanzierung gibt es eine spezielle Anlaufstelle an der Universität.
(There is a special contact point at the university for questions about student financing.) - Wir suchen eine vertrauenswürdige Anlaufstelle, die uns bei der Jobsuche hilft.
(We are looking for a trustworthy contact point to help us with our job search.) - Viele Hilfesuchende finden bei uns eine erste Anlaufstelle.
(Many people seeking help find an initial point of contact with us.)
💡 How "die Anlaufstelle" is Used
The term "Anlaufstelle" is frequently used in official, administrative, or social contexts. It emphasizes the function as the first point of contact for a specific need.
- Typical Contexts: Government offices (Behörden), social institutions (soziale Einrichtungen), counseling services (Beratungsdienste), customer service (Kundenservice), information centers (Informationszentren).
- Implication: The Anlaufstelle is often not the final solution but a starting point or intermediary.
- Comparison: While "Kontaktpunkt" (contact point) is more neutral, "Anlaufstelle" often implies that one expects help or a specific service there. An "Informationsquelle" (source of information) only provides knowledge, whereas an "Anlaufstelle" often also offers active support.
🧠 Mnemonics
For the article "die": Think of needing help from "the" specific place - places are often feminine in German abstractly (die Stelle - the place/spot), like die Anlaufstelle.
For the meaning: Imagine you need help, so you run towards (anlaufen) a specific spot or place (Stelle). That place is your Anlaufstelle, the place you 'run to' first.
↔️ Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words
Synonyms
- Kontaktstelle: (Contact point) - Very similar, often interchangeable.
- Beratungsstelle: (Counseling center) - More specific, focuses on advice.
- Servicestelle / Servicepunkt: (Service point/center) - Focuses on services.
- Informationsschalter / Info-Point: (Information desk/point) - Focuses on providing information.
- Meldestelle: (Registration office) - Place to officially report something.
- Empfang: (Reception) - The first physical point of contact in a building.
Antonyms
Direct antonyms are difficult. Metaphorically:
- Sackgasse: (Dead end) - Leads nowhere, offers no solution (figuratively).
- Irrweg: (Wrong track/path) - Leads in the wrong direction.
- Endstation: (Terminus/final stop) - The last point, no further referral (can be positive or negative).
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words
😂 A Little Joke
Frage: Was ist die beliebteste Anlaufstelle für Vampire?
Antwort: Die Blutbank!
(Question: What's the most popular contact point/place to go for vampires?)
(Answer: The blood bank!)
📜 A Little Poem
Bist du verloren, brauchst du Rat,
suchst nach der helfenden Tat,
gibt's einen Ort, ganz ohne Frage,
die Anlaufstelle für jede Lage.
Sie hört dir zu, sie weist den Weg,
ein erster Schritt auf neuem Steg.
(Are you lost, do you need advice,
searching for the helpful deed,
there's a place, without a doubt,
the contact point for every situation.
It listens to you, it shows the way,
a first step on a new path.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin kein Haus, doch man kommt zu mir.
Ich bin kein Arzt, doch ich helfe dir.
Ich bin der Start, wenn du nicht weiterweißt,
ein Ort, der oft "Beratung" heißt.
Wer oder was bin ich?
(I am not a house, but people come to me.
I am not a doctor, but I help you.
I am the start, when you don't know what to do,
a place often called "counseling", it's true.
Who or what am I?)
Solution: die Anlaufstelle
📎 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Anlaufstelle" is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:
- anlaufen: The verb means 'to approach', 'to call at', 'to visit a place' or also 'to start'. Here, it's used in the sense of 'seeking out a place purposefully'.
- Stelle: Means 'place', 'spot', 'position'.
Together, the meaning is: A place (Stelle) that one seeks out (anläuft), typically for a specific concern.
Cultural Context: In Germany and other German-speaking countries, clearly defined Anlaufstellen play an important role in the social and administrative system to facilitate citizens' access to information and services.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Anlaufstelle?
The word "Anlaufstelle" is always feminine. The correct article is die Anlaufstelle. It refers to a place or organization serving as the first point of contact for help, advice, or information.