die
Antragstellung
📜 What does "die Antragstellung" mean?
Die Antragstellung refers to the formal act or the process of submitting an application or request (*ein Antrag*) to an authority, institution, or organization. It's about making an official request (*ein offizielles Gesuch*) to receive or get approval for something (e.g., a permit - *eine Genehmigung*, a benefit - *eine Leistung*, a university place - *ein Studienplatz*).
The word emphasizes the process of submission itself. It's a typical term found in official and administrative language (*Amts- und Verwaltungssprache*).
🚨 *Be careful:* It refers to the process, not the application form itself (that would be *der Antrag* or *das Antragsformular*).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of "Antragstellung" in Detail
Die Antragstellung is a feminine noun (*ein feminines Substantiv*). Like many nouns ending in -ung, it is feminine and takes the article "die".
It is almost exclusively used in the singular, as it describes an abstract process.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Antragstellung |
| Genitive | der | Antragstellung |
| Dative | der | Antragstellung |
| Accusative | die | Antragstellung |
Example Sentences
- Die Antragstellung für das BAföG kann kompliziert sein.
(The application process for BAföG [student grant/loan] can be complicated.) - Bitte beachten Sie die Fristen für die Antragstellung.
(Please note the deadlines for submitting the application.) - Nach erfolgreicher Antragstellung erhalten Sie eine Bestätigung.
(After successful application submission, you will receive a confirmation.) - Die digitale Antragstellung spart Zeit und Papier.
(Digital application submission saves time and paper.)
💡 When to use "die Antragstellung"?
This word is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in administration (*Verwaltung*), law (*Recht*), and professional settings (*Beruf*):
- Authorities and Offices (*Behörden und Ämter*): Submitting applications for social benefits (e.g., unemployment benefits - *Arbeitslosengeld*, child benefits - *Kindergeld*), building permits (*Baugenehmigungen*), residence permits (*Aufenthaltsgenehmigungen*), passports (*Pässe*).
- Education (*Bildung*): Applying for university places (*Studienplätze*), scholarships (*Stipendien*), student grants/loans (*BAföG*).
- Work (*Beruf*): Applying for funding (*Fördermittel*), project approvals (*Genehmigungen für Projekte*), sometimes in the context of job applications (although *Bewerbung* is more common here).
- Insurance (*Versicherungen*): Submitting claims for benefits.
It often forms part of compound nouns like:
- Antragstellungsfrist: The deadline for submission.
- Antragstellungsprozess: The entire procedure from submission to decision.
- Online-Antragstellung: Submitting via a web portal.
In everyday language, one would more likely say *"Ich stelle einen Antrag"* (I'm making an application) or *"Ich habe einen Antrag eingereicht"* (I submitted an application) rather than *"Ich mache die Antragstellung"*. The noun *Antragstellung* is typically used to talk about the process itself.
🧠 Mnemonics for Antragstellung
Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine (*die*). Think of *die Rechnung* (the bill), *die Wohnung* (the apartment), *die Bedeutung* (the meaning)... and thus die Antragstellung. Imagine the process itself is a demanding lady (*die*).
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: *Antrag* means application or request. *Stellung* comes from the verb *stellen* (to place, to put). So, *Antragstellung* is literally the 'placing' or 'positioning' of an application – the act of submitting it formally.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- die Einreichung (eines Antrags): (Submission [of an application]) - Very similar, emphasizes the physical or digital handover.
- das Gesuch: (Request, petition) - More the document itself, but also the act of requesting.
- die Bewerbung: (Application) - Specifically for jobs, university places, etc., a type of *Antragstellung*.
- das Einreichen: (Submitting, handing in) - General term for handing over documents.
Antonyms (opposites in the process):
- die Genehmigung: (Approval) - The positive outcome after *Antragstellung*.
- die Ablehnung: (Rejection) - The negative outcome.
- die Rücknahme (des Antrags): (Withdrawal [of the application]) - When the applicant retracts the application.
- die Bearbeitung: (Processing) - The step taken by the authority after *Antragstellung*.
⚠️ Similar but different words:
😄 A Little Joke
Warum dauert die Antragstellung beim Amt für Zeitreisen so lange?
(Why does submitting an application at the Office for Time Travel take so long?)
Weil man den Antrag schon gestern hätte einreichen müssen!
(Because you should have submitted the application yesterday already!) 😉
✍️ Poem about Antragstellung
Das Formular, ein Labyrinth,
(The form, a labyrinth,)
Wo man sich oft im Kreis besinnt.
(Where one often reflects in circles.)
Die Antragstellung, Schritt für Schritt,
(The application submission, step by step,)
Bürokratie nimmt einen mit.
(Bureaucracy takes you along.)
Ein Kreuzchen hier, ein Datum dort,
(A little cross here, a date there,)
Man hofft, es ist am rechten Ort.
(One hopes it's in the right place.)
Die Unterschrift, dann ist es klar,
(The signature, then it's clear,)
Die Mühle mahlt, Jahr für Jahr.
(The mill grinds on, year after year.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Akt, oft digital,
(I am an act, often digital,)
Manchmal auf Papier, ganz formal.
(Sometimes on paper, quite formal.)
Ich starte einen Prozess, bring' ins Rollen ein Gesuch,
(I start a process, set a request in motion,)
Behörden kennen mich gut, ich fülle manches Buch.
(Authorities know me well, I fill many a book.)
Was bin ich? / What am I? (Lösung/Solution: Die Antragstellung)
📎 More Tidbits
Word Composition
Die Antragstellung is a compound noun (*zusammengesetztes Substantiv*) made of:
- Der Antrag: The application, request, motion.
- Die Stellung: Here in the sense of "placing", "positioning", "submitting". Derived from the verb *stellen* (to put, place, set).
Trivia
Simplifying and digitizing the Antragstellung process is a constant topic in German politics and administration (Keywords: E-Government, *Onlinezugangsgesetz* - Online Access Act).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Antragstellung?
The word "Antragstellung" is feminine, so the correct article is die. It refers to the formal process of submitting an application (*Antrag*) to an official body.