die
Aufführung
🎭 What does "die Aufführung" mean?
Die Aufführung (noun, feminine) primarily refers to the presentation or performance of an artistic work in front of an audience. This can apply to various art forms:
- Theatre: The staging and presentation of a play (e.g., eine Theateraufführung - a theatre performance).
- Music: A concert or the performance of a musical piece (e.g., eine Konzertaufführung - a concert performance).
- Dance: A ballet or dance show (e.g., eine Ballettaufführung - a ballet performance).
- Film: The screening of a film, often in a cinema (e.g., eine Filmaufführung - a film screening/showing).
In a broader, less common sense, Aufführung can also mean the detailed listing or presentation of facts, evidence, or arguments (e.g., die Aufführung von Beweisen - the presentation of evidence), but this is rare in everyday language.
Since only the article "die" was provided, we focus on this feminine form.
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 on "Die Aufführung" 🧐
"Aufführung" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Aufführung |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Aufführung |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Aufführung |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Aufführung |
Declension Plural
The plural is die Aufführungen.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Aufführungen |
| Genitive | der | Aufführungen |
| Dative | den | Aufführungen (+n) |
| Accusative | die | Aufführungen |
Example Sentences
- Die Aufführung des neuen Stücks war ein großer Erfolg.
(The performance of the new play was a great success.) - Wir haben Karten für die Aufführung am Samstagabend gekauft.
(We bought tickets for the performance on Saturday evening.) - Während der Aufführung herrschte gespannte Stille im Publikum.
(During the performance, there was a tense silence in the audience.) - Der Regisseur bereitete seine Schauspieler auf die Aufführungen vor.
(The director prepared his actors for the performances.)
How to Use "Aufführung"? 💡 Context is Key!
"Aufführung" is almost exclusively used in the context of arts and culture. Here are some typical uses:
- In theatres/opera houses/concert halls: This is the most common usage. It refers to the event itself. ("Die Aufführung beginnt um 20 Uhr." - The performance starts at 8 PM.)
- Uraufführung: This means the world premiere – the very first public presentation of a work. ("Die Uraufführung der Oper fand in Wien statt." - The world premiere of the opera took place in Vienna.)
- Erstaufführung: The first performance in a specific location or a particular production.
- Schulaufführung: A performance put on by school students.
- Compared to "Vorstellung": "Vorstellung" is often a synonym, especially for theatre or cinema showings. However, "Vorstellung" can also more broadly mean 'idea' or 'introduction', whereas "Aufführung" is specific to artistic performance.
- Compared to "Präsentation": A "Präsentation" is usually more factual and often used in business or academic contexts (e.g., a PowerPoint presentation), while "Aufführung" emphasizes the artistic aspect.
⚠️ Avoid using "Aufführung" for purely informational presentations unless the context is very formal or legal (e.g., "die Aufführung von Beweismitteln" - the presentation of evidence). It sounds unnatural in everyday conversation.
Memory Aids for "die Aufführung" 🧠
Article Mnemonic
Think of artistic performances often being associated with feminine concepts like 'die Muse' (the muse) or 'die Bühne' (the stage). Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die), and die Aufführung fits this pattern. Imagine the (die) prima ballerina leads (führt) the dance onto (auf) the stage.
Meaning Mnemonic
Break it down: auf means 'on' or 'up', and Führung relates to 'leading' or 'guiding' (from the verb führen). So, an "Aufführung" is something *led onto* the stage or *brought up* for viewing – a performance!
Related Terms: Synonyms & Antonyms for Aufführung 🔄
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Vorstellung: Very similar, often interchangeable in the context of theatre, cinema, etc. (performance, showing).
- Darbietung: Emphasizes the act of presenting (performance, presentation).
- Inszenierung: Often refers to the specific staging (direction, set design), but can also mean the performance itself (production, staging).
- Präsentation: More general, can include non-artistic presentations (presentation).
- Vortrag: More for lectures or musical recitals (recital, lecture, performance).
- Show: More colloquial or for entertainment events (show).
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Probe: The preparation for a performance, without an audience (rehearsal).
- Absage: When a planned performance is called off (cancellation).
- Pause / Unterbrechung: A temporary stop during a performance (intermission, break).
Watch out for similar words:
- Ausführung: Refers to execution (of a task) or the make/style (e.g., of furniture).
- Anführung: Means quotation or leadership (of a group).
- Vorführung: Can also mean demonstration (e.g., of a device).
A Little Joke 😄
Fragt der Regisseur den Hauptdarsteller nach der Premiere: "Na, wie fanden Sie Ihre Aufführung?"
Antwortet der Schauspieler: "Großartig! Nur das Publikum hat ständig gestört."
(The director asks the lead actor after the premiere: "Well, how did you like your performance?"
The actor replies: "Magnificent! Only the audience kept interrupting.")
A Little Poem about "Aufführung" 📜
Das Licht geht aus, der Vorhang sacht,
die Spannung steigt in dunkler Nacht.
Ein Flüstern nur, dann ist es still,
weil jeder nun die Kunst erleben will.
Die Aufführung beginnt sodann,
zieht alle voll in ihren Bann.
Ob Drama, Tanz, ob Lied, ob Spiel,
das Herz berühren ist das Ziel.
(The light goes out, the curtain soft,
Tension rises in the dark aloft.
Just whispers hush, then silence deep,
For everyone the art wants now to reap.
The performance then begins its part,
Captivating every single heart.
Be it drama, dance, or song, or play,
To touch the soul is its true way.)
A Little Riddle 🤔
Ich habe Szenen, doch kein Haus,
ich habe Akte, doch schreib' nichts auf.
Man probt für mich, doch bin ich echt,
mal bin ich gut, mal bin ich schlecht.
Vor Publikum trete ich in Erscheinung.
Was bin ich?
... Die Aufführung
(I have scenes, but have no house,
I have acts, but write no vows.
They rehearse for me, yet I am real,
Sometimes I'm good, sometimes appeal is less ideal.
Before an audience, I make my entrance.
What am I?
... The performance (die Aufführung))
Other Interesting Details 🧐
Word Composition
The word "Aufführung" is a nominalized verb (a noun formed from a verb). It's composed of:
- The prefix auf- (often indicating an upward direction or the start of an action)
- The verb führen (to lead, guide, bring)
- The suffix -ung (typical for forming nouns from verbs, usually feminine in German)
So, the basic meaning is the act of 'leading onto' the stage or 'bringing forth' for viewing.
Trivia
- The longest continuous theatrical performance is said to have lasted over 24 hours.
- Some opera performances (Opernaufführungen) require hundreds of participants both on and off stage.
Summary: is it der, die or das Aufführung?
The noun "Aufführung" is always feminine. The correct article is die. For example: die Aufführung (the performance), die Aufführungen (the performances).