die
Anweisung
📜 What does "die Anweisung" mean?
Die Anweisung (feminine noun, plural: die Anweisungen) is a versatile word with several meanings, mostly revolving around giving guidelines or commands:
- Instruction / Direction: A detailed explanation of how to do something. Example: Befolgen Sie die Anweisungen auf der Verpackung. (Follow the instructions on the packaging.)
- Order / Directive / Command: A request or command to do something specific, often in a hierarchical context (work, military). Example: Der Chef gab klare Anweisungen für das Projekt. (The boss gave clear instructions/orders for the project.)
- Payment order (Banking): An instruction to a bank to transfer money to someone. Example: Ich muss noch die Anweisung für die Miete ausfüllen. (I still need to fill out the payment order for the rent.)
- Regulation / Guideline: An official rule or directive. Example: Es gibt neue Anweisungen zur Nutzung der Firmengeräte. (There are new guidelines for using the company devices.)
⚠️ Although it can mean command (Befehl), Anweisung is often more neutral or formal and not necessarily as strict as a military order.
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 Spotlight: die Anweisung
The noun "Anweisung" is feminine. Therefore, the article is "die". It follows the typical declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in "-ung".
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anweisung |
| Genitive | der | Anweisung |
| Dative | der | Anweisung |
| Accusative | die | Anweisung |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Anweisungen |
| Genitive | der | Anweisungen |
| Dative | den | Anweisungen |
| Accusative | die | Anweisungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Nominative: Die Anweisung war klar und verständlich.
(The instruction was clear and understandable.) - Genitive: Trotz der Anweisung des Arztes nahm er das Medikament nicht.
(Despite the doctor's instruction, he didn't take the medicine.) - Dative: Ich folge der Anweisung genau.
(I follow the instruction precisely.) - Accusative: Er erhielt die Anweisung, sofort zurückzukommen.
(He received the order to return immediately.) - Plural: Die Mitarbeiter bekamen neue Anweisungen per E-Mail.
(The employees received new instructions via email.)
🗣️ How to use "Anweisung"?
"Die Anweisung" is used in various contexts:
- In professional life: Superiors give Anweisungen to employees. Colleagues give each other Anweisungen on how to operate equipment or carry out processes.
- Authorities & Administration: Official orders, regulations, or instructions are referred to as Anweisungen.
- Technology & Everyday life: Gebrauchsanweisungen (user manuals) explain how to use products. Cooking instructions (Kochanleitungen) are also a form of Anweisungen.
- Banking: The term Zahlungsanweisung or simply Anweisung refers to the order to transfer money.
Distinction from similar words:
- Befehl: Sounds stricter and more military/authoritarian than Anweisung. A Befehl usually doesn't tolerate contradiction.
- Instruktion: Very similar to Anweisung, perhaps slightly more detailed and focused on the "how-to".
- Anleitung: Often refers to written or visual explanations (e.g., Bauanleitung - building instructions).
- Auftrag: Emphasizes the task to be done, whereas Anweisung can also describe the process.
🧠 Mnemonics for Anweisung
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Übung (the exercise)... and therefore, die Anweisung!
Meaning Mnemonic: "Anweisung" comes from "anweisen", meaning *to instruct* or *to direct*. Imagine someone *wise* giving you *an* instruction. Or think of it as showing the way (*weisen*) towards (*an*) a goal or task.
↔️ Antonyms and Synonyms
👍 Synonyms (similar words):
- Instruktion: (Instruction) - Very similar, often more detailed.
- Weisung: (Directive, order) - Formal term, often from an authority.
- Auftrag: (Task, order, assignment) - Focuses on the task to be completed.
- Vorschrift: (Regulation, rule) - A rule that must be followed.
- Direktive: (Directive) - A guiding principle or order.
- Anleitung: (Manual, instructions) - Often written, for devices or processes.
- Verfügung: (Order, decree) - An official order from an authority.
- (Zahlungs-)Auftrag: (Payment order) - In banking.
👎 Antonyms (opposite words):
- Bitte: (Request) - A polite request, not an obligation.
- Empfehlung: (Recommendation) - Advice one can choose to follow or not.
- Vorschlag: (Suggestion) - An idea open for discussion.
- Frage: (Question) - Asks rather than directs.
- Freiheit / Freiraum: (Freedom / Leeway) - The absence of instructions.
- Chaos / Unordnung: (Chaos / Disorder) - The result of lacking instructions.
⚠️ Watch out for similar-sounding words!
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Computer keine Anweisungen im Garten entgegen?
Weil sie Angst vor Root-Zugriff haben! 😉
(Why don't computers take instructions in the garden?
Because they are afraid of root access!) 😉
✍️ Poem about Anweisung
Die Anweisung, klar und rein,
soll dir ein guter Leitfaden sein.
Ob bei der Arbeit, Schritt für Schritt,
nimmt sie dich auf die Reise mit.
Mal ist sie streng, mal sanft im Ton,
verlangt Präzision und Lohn.
Folge ihr gut, dann wird's gelingen,
wird Ordnung in das Chaos bringen.
(The instruction, clear and pure,
should be a good guide for sure.
Whether at work, step by step it goes,
it takes you on the path it shows.
Sometimes strict, sometimes soft in tone,
demands precision, makes it known.
Follow it well, success you'll bring,
and order out of chaos spring.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich sage dir, was du sollst tun,
lass dich selten nur ausruh'n.
Mal bin ich ein Befehl, mal nur ein Rat,
manchmal schick' ich Geld auf Draht.
Ich steh' auf Papier, werd' mündlich gegeben,
helf' dir, nach Plan zu leben.
Wer bin ich?
(I tell you what you have to do,
rarely let you rest, it's true.
Sometimes I'm a command, sometimes just advice,
sometimes I send money in a trice.
I'm found on paper, or spoken aloud,
help you live by a plan, stand out from the crowd.
What am I?)
(Answer: die Anweisung)
💡 Other Interesting Info
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The word "Anweisung" is a noun derived from the verb "anweisen" (*to instruct, direct*). Its structure is:
- Prefix: an- (indicates direction or purpose)
- Stem verb: weisen (to show, point, guide)
- Suffix: -ung (forms feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting the process or result)
Together, this conveys the meaning: the act of pointing something out, guiding someone, or giving an order/instruction.
Summary: is it der, die or das Anweisung?
The noun "Anweisung" is feminine. The correct article is always die Anweisung.