die  Auflösung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊfˌløːzʊŋ/

🔍 What does "die Auflösung" mean?

The word die Auflösung is a feminine noun and has several meanings, often related to the verb auflösen (to dissolve, resolve, terminate):

• Technical Resolution: 🖥️ The sharpness or level of detail in an image, display, or scan (e.g., Bildschirmauflösung - screen resolution, hohe Auflösung - high resolution).
• Chemical Dissolution: 🧪 The process where a solid substance disperses in a liquid (e.g., die Auflösung von Salz in Wasser - the dissolution of salt in water).
• Termination / Dissolution: 🏛️ The ending or disbanding of an organization, contract, meeting, or relationship (e.g., die Auflösung des Parlaments - the dissolution of parliament, die Auflösung einer Firma - the dissolution of a company, die Auflösung einer Verlobung - the breaking off of an engagement).
• Solving (of a riddle/problem): 🤔 Finding the answer or solution to a puzzle, task, or problem (e.g., die Auflösung des Kreuzworträtsels - the solution to the crossword puzzle).
• Conflict Resolution: 🤝 The clearing up or settling of a dispute or conflict.

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: die Auflösung

Die Auflösung is a feminine noun. Most nouns ending in -ung are feminine in German.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Auflösung des Fotos ist zu gering.
   (The resolution of the photo is too low.)
2. Wir beobachteten die Auflösung des Zuckers im Tee.
   (We observed the dissolution of the sugar in the tea.)
3. Die Auflösung des Vereins wurde beschlossen.
   (The dissolution of the club was decided.)
4. Die Auflösung des Rätsels findest du auf der letzten Seite.
   (You can find the solution to the riddle on the last page.)
5. Nach langen Verhandlungen kam es zur Auflösung des Streits.
   (After long negotiations, the dispute was resolved.)

Context and Use of Auflösung

The use of die Auflösung depends heavily on the field or situation:

• Technology & Photography: Here, Auflösung refers to pixels, DPI (Dots Per Inch), or general image quality. A hohe Auflösung (high resolution) means more detail.
• Chemistry & Physics: Describes the physical process of dissolving a substance in a solvent.
• Law & Business: Often used in the context of terminating contracts, companies, or corporations (e.g., Liquidation as a synonym for company dissolution).
• Everyday Language: Can mean the end of a relationship, solving a puzzle, or clarifying a situation.

Compared to Lösung (solution), which often refers to the result of a problem, Auflösung more frequently emphasizes the process of solving, ending, or disintegrating.

🧠 How to Remember "die Auflösung"

Article Aid

Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine: think of die Lösung (the solution) → so it's die Auflösung. Remember the typical feminine ending!

Meaning Aid

Imagine something being "up-loosened" or "dis-solved" (from auf-lösen): A picture is resolved (aufgelöst) into pixels (Auflösung), a tablet dissolves (löst sich auf) in water (Auflösung), a contract is terminated (aufgelöst) (Auflösung), a knot (problem) is untied/solved (aufgelöst) (Auflösung). The prefix "auf-" often signals completion, ending, or revealing details.

🔄 Related Terms: Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Potential for Confusion

Sometimes Lösung (solution) is used synonymously, but Lösung often refers more specifically to the result (the answer), whereas Auflösung can also describe the process or the termination itself.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Was ist die chemische Formel für Wasser?"
Schüler: "H₂O." Lehrer: "Und was ist die Formel für destilliertes Wasser?" Schüler: "Das ist doch klar! H₂O – aber in höherer Auflösung!"

Translation:
Teacher: "What is the chemical formula for water?"
Student: "H₂O."
Teacher: "And what is the formula for distilled water?"
Student: "That's obvious! H₂O – but in higher resolution!" (A pun on 'Auflösung' meaning both 'dissolution' and 'resolution')

📜 A Short Poem

Ein Rätsel schwer, der Kopf ganz heiß,
man sucht und grübelt, still und leis.
Doch dann ein Blitz, ein lichter Schein,
die Auflösung, klar und rein.

Ein Bild erscheint, erst grob und blass,
mehr Pixel her, welch ein Spaß!
Die Auflösung steigt, das Bild wird klar,
so wunderbar, ist doch wahr!

Translation:
A puzzle hard, the head quite hot,
One searches, ponders, quiet spot.
But then a flash, a shining light,
The solution (Auflösung), clear and bright.

An image shows, first rough and pale,
More pixels now, what fun they hail!
The resolution (Auflösung) climbs, the image clear,
So wonderful, it's truly dear!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich beende Firmen und Verträge schnell,
mache Bilder scharf und hell.
Im Wasser lass ich Zucker geh'n,
und helfe dir, Probleme zu versteh'n.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Auflösung)

Translation:
I end companies and contracts fast,
Make pictures sharp and bright, built to last.
In water, I let sugar disappear,
And help you make problems clear.

What am I?
(Answer: die Auflösung)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Formation

The word Auflösung is composed of:

• Prefix auf-: Can mean 'completely', 'to the end', or 'opening up' here.
• Stem Lös-: From the verb lösen (to detach, free, solve a problem, dissolve in liquid).
• Suffix -ung: Forms a noun from the verb, often denoting a process or its result.

Cultural Notes

The term Auflösung is often used in German political debates, e.g., Auflösung des Bundestages (dissolution of the federal parliament), which leads to new elections. In photography and digital media, Auflösung (resolution) is a constant topic regarding quality and storage space.