die  Aufforderung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊfˌfɔʁdɐʊŋ/

📖 What does "die Aufforderung" mean?

Die Aufforderung (noun, feminine) describes an action or statement intended to make someone do or refrain from doing something specific. The intensity can vary, from a polite Bitte (request) to an urgent Appell (appeal) or a formal Anweisung (instruction).

• Invitation / Request: Often polite, e.g., eine Aufforderung zum Tanz (an invitation to dance).
• Appeal / Reminder / Demand: An urgent prompt to do something, e.g., eine Zahlungsaufforderung (a demand for payment).
• Order / Summons: Can have a stronger, more binding character, e.g., eine gerichtliche Aufforderung (a court summons).
• Challenge: Less common, but possible, e.g., eine Aufforderung zum Duell (a challenge to a duel - historically).

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the precise nuance of the Aufforderung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Aufforderung" in Detail

The word "Aufforderung" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Example Sentences

1. Er folgte der Aufforderung des Polizisten, anzuhalten.
   He followed the police officer's request/order to stop.
2. Sie erhielt eine schriftliche Aufforderung zur Zahlung der Rechnung.
   She received a written demand for payment of the bill.
3. Seine Rede war eine klare Aufforderung zum Handeln.
   His speech was a clear call to action.
4. Die Aufforderung zum Tanz nahm sie gerne an.
   She gladly accepted the invitation to dance.

🗣️ How to use "Aufforderung"?

"Die Aufforderung" is used in various contexts:

• Formal / Official Context: Often in writing, e.g., Zahlungsaufforderung (payment demand), gerichtliche Aufforderung (court summons), Aufforderung zur Abgabe einer Stellungnahme (request to submit a statement). Here, it often has a binding character.
• Everyday Context: Can also be a polite request or invitation, e.g., die Aufforderung, Platz zu nehmen (the request/invitation to take a seat), or die Aufforderung zum Mitmachen bei einem Spiel (the invitation to join a game).
• Urgent Appeal: In speeches or texts to incite action, e.g., eine Aufforderung zu mehr Umweltschutz (a call for more environmental protection).

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Bitte (request): Is generally more polite and less binding than an Aufforderung.
• Befehl (order, command): Is stronger and expresses an obligation that must be obeyed. An Aufforderung can sometimes seem like a command but is often slightly less direct.
• Einladung (invitation): Is more specific and usually aims at participation in an event. An Aufforderung can be an invitation, but not every Aufforderung is an invitation.
• Mahnung (reminder, dunning letter): A specific type of Aufforderung reminding someone of an overdue obligation (e.g., payment).

🧠 Mnemonics for Aufforderung

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Rechnung (the bill), die Meinung (the opinion), die Wohnung (the apartment)... and therefore, die Aufforderung. It's *the* specific demand ending in -ung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone shouting "Auf! Forder (Ford her) to do it!" – it sounds like "Aufforderung" and implies a demand or request for action.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Watch out for confusion:

• Forderung (demand, claim): A general claim to something (e.g., Geldforderung - monetary claim). An Aufforderung is the act of prompting someone to act, often related to a Forderung.

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Warum hat der Computer eine Aufforderung bekommen?
Weil er ständig Fenster offen ließ und jemand "Zugriff verweigert" rief! 😄

EN: Why did the computer get a formal request/demand (Aufforderung)?
Because it kept leaving Windows open and someone shouted "Access denied"! 😄 (Pun involving 'Fenster' meaning 'windows' in both physical and OS sense)

✍️ Poem about Aufforderung

DE:
Ein Brief kommt an, ganz offiziell,
Bringt eine Nachricht, und zwar schnell.
Es ist die Aufforderung, klar und rein,
Zu zahlen pünktlich, sonst gibt's Pein.

Doch auch beim Tanze, leis' und sacht,
Wird eine Aufforderung gemacht.
Ein Nicken, Lächeln, eine Hand,
Führt charmant aufs Parkett im Land.

EN:
A letter arrives, official and grand,
Brings a message quickly to hand.
It is the Aufforderung, clear and bright,
To pay on time, or face a plight.

But also at the dance, soft and low,
An Aufforderung starts to flow.
A nod, a smile, a guiding hand,
Leads charmingly across the land (dance floor).

❓ Riddle

DE:
Ich kann ein sanftes Bitten sein,
Doch auch ein strenger, klarer Schein.
Manchmal komm ich per Brief ins Haus,
Manchmal ruf ich zum Handeln aus.
Ich fordere dich auf, etwas zu tun,
Ob Arbeit, Zahlung oder Ruh'n.

Was bin ich? → Die Aufforderung

EN:
I can be a gentle plea,
But also strict, for all to see.
Sometimes by mail, I come to you,
Sometimes I call for action new.
I ask you strongly, something you must do,
Be it work, or payment, or resting through.

What am I?
→ Die Aufforderung (the request / demand / summons)

🧩 Word Components & Trivia

Word Composition:

"Aufforderung" is a noun derived from the verb "auffordern" (to request, demand, summon). This verb is composed of:

• Prefix "auf-": Often intensifies the action or indicates direction (here: moving someone towards something).
• Verb "fordern": To demand, claim.
• The suffix "-ung" turns the verb into a noun and is typical for feminine nouns in German.

So: auf + fordern + ung = Aufforderung.

Trivia:

In a legal context (e.g., in Germany under § 111 StGB), a "öffentliche Aufforderung zu Straftaten" (public incitement to commit criminal offenses) can itself be a punishable crime.