die  Anstiftung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanˌʃtɪftʊŋ/

🤔 What exactly does 'Anstiftung' mean?

Die Anstiftung (feminine, article 'die') refers to the deliberate inducement of another person to commit an intentional, unlawful act (especially a criminal offense). It's about getting someone to do something forbidden.

In a broader sense, it can also mean instigating or prompting someone to take an action (not necessarily criminal), but it often carries a negative connotation.

🚨 Important: The term is very frequently used in a legal context (e.g., § 26 of the German Criminal Code, Strafgesetzbuch - StGB).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Anstiftung

The noun 'Anstiftung' is feminine.

📝 Real-life Examples

• Dem Angeklagten wurde die Anstiftung zum Diebstahl vorgeworfen.
  (The defendant was accused of incitement to theft.)
• Manche sehen in den Reden eine gefährliche Anstiftung zur Gewalt.
  (Some see the speeches as dangerous incitement to violence.)
• Es gab mehrere Anstiftungen, die zur Eskalation führten.
  (There were several instances of instigation that led to the escalation.)
• Ohne seine Anstiftung hätte der Täter die Tat vielleicht nie begangen.
  (Without his instigation, the perpetrator might never have committed the crime.)

💡 How to use 'Anstiftung'?

The term Anstiftung is predominantly used in legal or criminological contexts. It describes the form of participation in a crime where someone induces another person to commit the act.

• Typical Collocations: Anstiftung zu (einer Straftat, zum Mord, zum Diebstahl, zur Gewalt, zum Aufruhr) - incitement to (a crime, murder, theft, violence, riot)
• Connotation: Almost always negative.
• Distinction from other terms:
  • Beihilfe (Aiding and Abetting): Supporting a crime that is already planned or being committed.
  • Aufforderung (Solicitation/Call): Often public and less specific than Anstiftung.
  • Verleitung (Enticement/Seduction): Similar, but often less forceful than the specific inducement of the intent to commit a crime.

Outside of the legal sphere, 'Anstiftung' can occasionally be used more neutrally for 'suggestion' or 'initiative', but the negative undertone often remains noticeable. Example: "Seine Rede war eine Anstiftung zu mehr Kreativität." (His speech was an incitement to more creativity.) - This usage is somewhat unusual; 'Anregung' (suggestion, stimulus) would be more common and appropriate here.

🧠 Mnemonics for Anstiftung

Article Mnemonic: Think of things often associated with negative actions or legal contexts that are feminine in German: die Tat (the deed), die Sünde (the sin), die Strafe (the punishment) – just like die Anstiftung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone wants 'ANother person to STIFT' (think 'start' or 'instigate') trouble. That's 'AN-STIFTung' – getting someone else to start something bad.

🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Words like Anregung (suggestion, stimulus), Initiative (initiative), or Impuls (impulse) are mostly positive or neutral and not direct synonyms for the often criminal 'Anstiftung'.

😂 A Little Joke

Richter: "Geben Sie zu, Ihren Nachbarn zum Heckenschneiden angestiftet zu haben?"
Angeklagter: "Nein, Herr Richter! Ich habe ihm nur die Heckenschere geliehen und gesagt: 'Pass auf, die ist scharf!'"

--- Translation ---

Judge: "Do you admit to having incited your neighbor to trim the hedge?"
Defendant: "No, Your Honor! I just lent him the hedge trimmer and said: 'Be careful, it's sharp!'"

✍️ Poem about Anstiftung

Ein Flüstern hier, ein Wink, ein Wort,
treibt andre fort an dunklen Ort.
Die Hand bleibt sauber, scheint es rein,
doch Schuld trägt der, durch falschen Schein.
Die Anstiftung, ein leiser Hauch,
setzt oft Verderben schnell in Brauch.

--- Translation ---

A whisper here, a nod, a word,
drives others forth to places dark, unheard.
The hand stays clean, it seems so pure,
yet guilt bears he, through false allure.
The incitement, a gentle breath,
often puts ruin quickly into death('s path) / into use.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich gebe keinen Befehl, doch folgst du mir gern,
Ich begehe die Tat nicht, doch bin nicht weit fern.
Ich säe den Gedanken, der Böses gebiert,
Im Gesetzbuch steh' ich, bin klar definiert.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Anstiftung

--- Translation ---

I give no command, yet you follow me readily,
I don't commit the deed, yet I'm not far, you see.
I sow the thought from which evil is bred,
In the law books I stand, clearly defined instead.

What am I?
Solution: die Anstiftung (incitement/instigation)

⚙️ Word Details

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word 'Anstiftung' is a noun derived from the verb 'anstiften'. 'Anstiften' itself is composed of:

• Prefix 'an-': Indicates a direction or beginning.
• Verb 'stiften': Originally means to found, cause, donate. In the context of 'anstiften', it takes on the meaning of 'to instigate', 'to incite', 'to cause'.
• Suffix '-ung': Used to form nouns from verbs, typically resulting in feminine nouns.

Thus, 'Anstiftung' describes the act or result of 'anstiften' (inciting/instigating).