die  Auktion

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʔaʊkˈt͡si̯oːn/

🧐 What does "die Auktion" mean?

Die Auktion (noun, feminine) means auction. It refers to a public sales event where goods or services are sold to the highest bidder. It's a way of setting prices where potential buyers compete against each other.

• Meaning: auction, public sale by bidding.
• Article: The word "Auktion" is always feminine, so it's always "die Auktion". There are no other articles for this word. 🥳

You can teilnehmen an einer Auktion (participate in an auction) or etwas zur Auktion geben (put something up for auction).

📊 Grammar Details of "die Auktion"

The noun "Auktion" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Das wertvolle Gemälde wurde bei einer Auktion versteigert.
   (The valuable painting was sold at an auction.)
2. Der Erlös der Auktion geht an eine gemeinnützige Organisation.
   (The proceeds of the auction go to a non-profit organization.)
3. Er nahm an mehreren Online-Auktionen teil.
   (He participated in several online auctions.)
4. Die Auktion beginnt um 14 Uhr.
   (The auction begins at 2 PM.)

🗣️ Usage and Context of "die Auktion"

"Die Auktion" is used in various contexts, mostly related to trade and commerce:

• Art market: Auctions of paintings, sculptures, antiques (e.g., Kunstauktion, Sotheby's).
• Real estate: Foreclosures (Zwangsversteigerungen) or voluntary auctions of houses and land.
• Online platforms: Websites like eBay use the auction principle.
• Agriculture: Livestock auctions (Viehauktionen).
• Finance: Auctions of government bonds.

Comparison: "Die Auktion" and "die Versteigerung" are largely synonymous. "Auktion" often sounds slightly more formal or is used specifically for organized events (like art auctions), while "Versteigerung" is more general.

We say "etwas zur Auktion bringen" (to put something up for auction) or "etwas in einer Auktion ersteigern" (to buy something at an auction).

🧠 Mnemonics & Tips

1. For the article 'die':

   Imagine an auctioneer, she bangs the gavel. She is female -> die Auktion. Also, the ending "-ion" in German nouns often (but not always!) indicates a feminine gender (like die Nation, die Region, die Diskussion). It's a good hint!

2. For the meaning 'auction':

   "Auktion" sounds a bit like the English word "auction", making it easy to remember. You can also think of the "action" at an auction, linking it phonetically: Auktion -> Action! 🎬🔨💰

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Careful: Don't confuse "die Auktion" with "die Aktion" (special offer, campaign, action).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum gehen Skelette nicht gerne auf Auktionen?
(Why don't skeletons like going to auctions?)

Weil sie niemanden haben (keinen Körper), um mitzubieten!
(Because they have no body to bid with!) 😉

📜 Poem about an Auction

Im Saale steigt die Spannung an,
die Auktion, sie zieht uns in Bann.
Der Hammer fällt, ein kurzer Knall,
verkauft! an den Meistbietenden im Saal.
Kunst, Krempel, altes Gut,
wer bietet mehr, mit frischem Mut? Ein Spiel um Preis und Seltenheit,
bereit für die nächste Biet-Gelegenheit!

In the hall, the tension rises high,
the auction holds us, catches the eye.
The gavel falls, a sudden crack,
sold! to the highest bidder, no turning back.
Art, junk, items old and grand,
who bids more now, across the land?
A game of price and rarity,
ready for the next bidding spree!

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin ein Ort, wo Preise steigen,
wo Bieter ihre Hände zeigen.
Ein Hammer fällt, das Wort ist klar,
das Höchstgebot war wunderbar.

Was bin ich?

I am a place where prices soar,
Where bidders raise their hands for more.
A hammer falls, the word is spoken,
The highest bid, a prize has woken.

What am I?
Solution: Die Auktion (The auction)

💡 Other Information

• Etymology: The word "Auktion" comes from the Latin word auctio, meaning "increase", "enhancement" (from augere = to increase, to enhance).
• Compound Words: There are many compound words with Auktion, e.g., die Kunstauktion (art auction), die Online-Auktion (online auction), die Zwangsauktion (foreclosure auction), das Auktionshaus (auction house), der Auktionskatalog (auction catalogue), der Auktionator / die Auktionatorin (auctioneer).