die
Aufsichtspflicht
📜 What does "die Aufsichtspflicht" mean?
Die Aufsichtspflicht is a key legal term in German law, especially in civil law (found in the *Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch* or BGB, § 832). It describes the legal or contractual obligation of one person (*der Aufsichtspflichtige* - the supervisor) to supervise another person (*der Aufsichtsbedürftige* - the person needing supervision) to protect them from harm and prevent them from harming third parties.
This duty typically applies to:
- Parents for their minor children.
- Teachers and educators (*Lehrkräfte, Erzieherinnen und Erzieher*) for the children entrusted to them during care hours.
- Trainers (*Ausbilder*) for their apprentices.
- Caregivers for people with disabilities or in certain care situations.
- Individuals who take on supervision by contract (e.g., babysitters, youth leaders).
🚨 A breach of the duty of supervision (*Verletzung der Aufsichtspflicht*) can have significant consequences, particularly civil liability claims for damages if harm occurred due to lack of supervision.
The word is feminine: die Aufsichtspflicht.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-icht → mostly feminine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Aufsichtspflicht
The noun "Aufsichtspflicht" is feminine. It is primarily used in the singular form because it describes an abstract concept (*die Pflicht* - the duty).
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Aufsichtspflicht |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Aufsichtspflicht |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Aufsichtspflicht |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Aufsichtspflicht |
Declension Plural
The plural form "die Aufsichtspflichten" is grammatically correct but rarely used. It might refer to various specific duties of supervision in different contexts.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Aufsichtspflichten |
| Genitive | der | Aufsichtspflichten |
| Dative | den | Aufsichtspflichten |
| Accusative | die | Aufsichtspflichten |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Eltern haben die Aufsichtspflicht für ihr Kind.
(The parents have the duty of supervision for their child.) - Der Lehrer verletzt seine Aufsichtspflicht, wenn er die Klasse während der Pause unbeaufsichtigt lässt.
(The teacher breaches his duty of supervision if he leaves the class unsupervised during the break.) - Im Vertrag wurde die Übertragung der Aufsichtspflicht klar geregelt.
(The transfer of the duty of supervision was clearly regulated in the contract.) - Die Frage der Aufsichtspflicht ist bei Klassenfahrten besonders wichtig.
(The question of the duty of supervision is particularly important on school trips.)
💡 Usage in Daily Life and Law
"Die Aufsichtspflicht" is a term used both in everyday language and specifically in a legal context in Germany.
- Everyday Life: Parents talk about their *Aufsichtspflicht* when discussing looking after their children. Schools and daycare centers (*Kitas*) address it with parents and staff.
- Legal Context: Here, the term is precisely defined and carries significant weight in liability issues (referencing § 832 BGB). Courts often decide whether a breach of *Aufsichtspflicht* has occurred.
- Distinction: The *Aufsichtspflicht* goes beyond mere presence. It involves active measures to prevent danger and harm to third parties. The required level of supervision depends on the child's age, maturity, character, and the specific situation.
- Typical Situations: Playground visits (*Spielplatzbesuche*), school breaks (*Schulpausen*), school trips (*Klassenfahrten*), care in institutions, club activities involving minors.
⚠️ Don't confuse *Aufsichtspflicht* with the broader concept of *Fürsorgepflicht* (duty of care), or *Betreuung* (caregiving/support), which doesn't always imply the specific legal duty of supervision under § 832 BGB.
🧠 Mnemonics for Aufsichtspflicht
-
Remembering the Article (die): Think of "*die Pflicht*" (the duty). Many German nouns ending in "-t" are feminine, and *Pflicht* is a key example. Since *Aufsichtspflicht* ends with *Pflicht*, it's also feminine: die Aufsichtspflicht. She has the duty.
-
Remembering the Meaning: Imagine someone holding up (*auf*) a magnifying glass to see (*sicht*) closely – that's the *Aufsicht* (supervision) part. Now picture them carrying a heavy backpack representing the *Pflicht* (duty/obligation). Combine them: The duty to watch closely.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Obhutspflicht: (Duty of care/custody) Very similar, emphasizes protection and safety.
- Betreuungspflicht: (Duty of care/support) Can be used synonymously, often in professional care contexts.
- Verantwortung (für Minderjährige/Schutzbefohlene): (Responsibility for minors/wards) A more general term, but often used in the same context.
- Sorgfaltspflicht (in Bezug auf Aufsicht): (Duty of diligence regarding supervision) Refers to the level of care required during supervision.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Verantwortungsfreiheit: (Freedom from responsibility) The absence of such a duty.
- Fahrlässigkeit (bei der Aufsicht): (Negligence in supervision) Describes the breach of the duty.
- Eigenverantwortung (des Aufsichtsbedürftigen): (Personal responsibility of the person needing supervision) From a certain age/maturity level, personal responsibility exists alongside or replaces the duty of supervision.
⚠️ Similar but Different Terms:
- Sorgerecht: (Custody rights) Broader than just supervision, includes decisions about finances, education, health.
- Haftung: (Liability) The (financial) consequence of breaching a duty, not the duty itself.
😂 A Little Joke
Richter: "Haben Sie Ihre Aufsichtspflicht verletzt?"
Angeklagter (Vater von Drillingen): "Herr Richter, bei Drillingen ist das keine Pflicht mehr, das ist Hochleistungssport!"
Translation:
Judge: "Did you breach your duty of supervision?"
Defendant (Father of triplets): "Your Honor, with triplets, it's not a duty anymore, it's a high-performance sport!"
✍️ A Poem about Duty
Die Aufsicht, eine ernste Pflicht,
verlangt stets waches Angesicht.
Für Kleine, die die Welt entdecken,
vor Gefahren sie verstecken.
Ein Auge hier, ein Blick dorthin,
so hat die Sorge ihren Sinn.
Damit kein Leid und Schmerz geschieht,
wenn man die Aufsicht richtig zieht.
Translation:
Supervision, a serious duty,
always demands a watchful face.
For little ones exploring the world,
to hide them from dangers.
An eye here, a glance over there,
thus care finds its purpose.
So that no suffering and pain occurs,
when supervision is properly done.
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin eine Pflicht, doch kein Zwang zum Gebet.
Ich schütze die Kleinen, früh bis spät.
Eltern und Lehrer müssen mich achten,
sonst könnten sie für Schäden haften.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am a duty, but not a call to prayer.
I protect the little ones, early and late.
Parents and teachers must respect me,
or they could be liable for damages.
What am I?
(Solution: die Aufsichtspflicht / the duty of supervision)
🧩 Other Details
Word Composition
"Aufsichtspflicht" is a compound noun (*Kompositum*), composed of:
- Die Aufsicht: (Supervision, oversight) The act of watching over, monitoring, controlling. From "auf etwas sehen" (to look upon something).
- Die Pflicht: (Duty, obligation) A task, a requirement, something one must do (morally or legally).
Together, it means the "duty of supervision".
Legal Relevance
The key provision in German law is § 832 BGB (Haftung des Aufsichtspflichtigen - Liability of the Supervisor). This paragraph regulates when a person obliged to supervise another is liable for damages that the supervised person causes to a third party.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Aufsichtspflicht?
The word "Aufsichtspflicht" is feminine. The correct article is die. It refers to the legal or contractual duty to supervise another person (often a child) to prevent harm.