die  Anwesenheit

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanˌveːzənhaɪt/

🙋‍♀️ What exactly does 'die Anwesenheit' mean?

Die Anwesenheit translates to presence or attendance. It describes the state of someone or something being present at a specific place or time. It's the direct opposite of Abwesenheit (absence).

It's often used in formal or official contexts:

• In a professional context: Participation in a meeting or conference (e.g., "Ihre Anwesenheit ist erforderlich." - Your presence is required.).
• In a school/university context: Being present in class or for an exam (e.g., "Die Anwesenheitspflicht muss eingehalten werden." - Mandatory attendance must be observed.).
• In a legal context: Being present during a procedure (e.g., "Der Vertrag wurde in Anwesenheit eines Notars unterzeichnet." - The contract was signed in the presence of a notary.).
• In a general sense: Physical or sometimes mental presence at a location (e.g., "Seine bloße Anwesenheit beruhigte sie." - His mere presence calmed her.).

⚠️ The word is almost exclusively used in the singular. The plural form "die Anwesenheiten" is very rare and often sounds bureaucratic or unusual.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Declining *die Anwesenheit*

Die Anwesenheit is a feminine noun, indicated by the article die. Nouns ending in -heit are almost always feminine in German.

It's primarily used in the singular. Here's the declension:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural form, die Anwesenheiten, is very rare. It might be used to describe multiple periods or instances of presence, but it's uncommon in general language.

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Die Anwesenheit aller Teammitglieder ist Pflicht.
   (The presence/attendance of all team members is mandatory.)
2. Wegen seiner häufigen Anwesenheit im Büro wurde er befördert.
   (Because of his frequent presence in the office, he was promoted.)
3. Der Lehrer notierte die Anwesenheit zu Beginn der Stunde.
   (The teacher noted the attendance at the beginning of the lesson.)
4. In Anwesenheit ihrer Eltern traute sie sich nicht, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
   (In the presence of her parents, she didn't dare to tell the truth.)

📋 When and How to Use 'die Anwesenheit'

Die Anwesenheit is typically used in the following situations:

• Formal occasions: Meetings, conferences, court hearings, official ceremonies. ("Seine Anwesenheit bei der Preisverleihung wurde erwartet." - His presence at the award ceremony was expected.)
• Educational institutions: Checking participation in classes, lectures, or seminars. ("Die Anwesenheitsliste wird herumgereicht." - The attendance sheet is being passed around.)
• Workplace: Documenting working hours, participation in training. ("Die Zeiterfassung dokumentiert die Anwesenheit." - Time tracking documents attendance.)
• Abstract/Figurative: Describing a noticeable presence or influence. ("Die Anwesenheit von Sicherheitspersonal sorgte für Ruhe." - The presence of security personnel ensured calm.)

Distinction from "Gegenwart":

Although Gegenwart can also mean "presence" (e.g., "in Gegenwart von Zeugen" = "in Anwesenheit von Zeugen" - in the presence of witnesses), Gegenwart primarily refers to the temporal dimension (the present time, now). Anwesenheit more strongly emphasizes the physical or registered presence at a location.

Set Phrases:

• in Anwesenheit von jemandem: in someone's presence
• mit seiner/ihrer Anwesenheit beehren: to grace with one's presence (formal)
• Anwesenheitspflicht: compulsory attendance

🧠 Memory Aids for 'die Anwesenheit'

🔁 Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Terms

⚠️ Potential Confusion

Don't confuse die Anwesenheit (presence) with das Anwesen (property, estate, large house with land). They sound similar but have completely different meanings and genders.

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Wer kann mir sagen, was das Gegenteil von Anwesenheit ist?"
Schüler Fritzchen: "Ferien, Herr Lehrer!"

Teacher: "Who can tell me the opposite of presence/attendance?"
Student Little Fritz: "Vacation, Sir!"

✍️ Poem about Presence

Im Raum, ganz still, ein leises Sein,
die Anwesenheit, nicht Trug, nicht Schein.
Ein Stuhl besetzt, ein Blick, ein Wort,
man ist präsent an diesem Ort.

In the room, quite still, a quiet being,
the presence, not deceit, not seeming.
A chair occupied, a glance, a word,
one is present at this place, observed.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin das Gegenteil vom Fehlen,
man kann mich oft auf Listen zählen.
Im Meeting oder Klassenraum,
bin ich kein ferner, leerer Traum.

Was bin ich?

I am the opposite of lacking,
You can often count me on lists they're tracking.
In meetings or the classroom's space,
I'm not a distant, empty place.

What am I?

Solution: die Anwesenheit (presence/attendance)

✨ Other Interesting Details

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Anwesenheit" is composed of:

• an-: Prefix indicating direction or state (being at a place).
• wesen: Stem related to the verb "sein" (to be, Old High German "wesan"). It signifies being, existence.
• -heit: Suffix used to form abstract nouns, typically feminine.

Cultural Aspects:

In Germany, punctuality and attendance at appointments (both business and private) are often highly valued. Formal documentation of attendance (e.g., through sign-in sheets or time clocks) is common in many areas like work and university.