die  Ausfertigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌfɛʁtɪɡʊŋ/

📜 What Exactly is an 'Ausfertigung'?

Die Ausfertigung (feminine, plural: die Ausfertigungen) primarily refers to two things in German:

1. An official copy: This is the most common meaning. An Ausfertigung is an officially certified copy of an original document (e.g., a court judgment, a contract, a certificate) that often has the same legal validity as the original. It is "ausgefertigt," meaning officially prepared and issued. 📑
2. The process of preparation: Less commonly, die Ausfertigung can also refer to the act of creating, drafting, or issuing such an official document. ✍️

⚠️ Important: A simple copy (Fotokopie) is not an Ausfertigung. An Ausfertigung has an official character and often bears a corresponding note, seal (Siegel), or stamp (Stempel).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Ausfertigung' in Detail

The word "Ausfertigung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die". It follows the typical declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in "-ung".

📝 Example Sentences

1. Bitte legen Sie die erste Ausfertigung des Vertrages vor.
   Please submit the first official copy of the contract.
2. Das Gericht sendet Ihnen eine Ausfertigung des Urteils zu.
   The court will send you an official copy of the judgment.
3. Für die Behörde benötigen Sie zwei Ausfertigungen der Geburtsurkunde.
   For the authority, you need two official copies of the birth certificate.
4. Die Ausfertigung der Dokumente dauerte mehrere Tage. (Here: the process)
   The preparation of the documents took several days.

💼 When and How to Use 'Ausfertigung'?

The term die Ausfertigung clearly belongs to formal language use, especially in legal, administrative (behördlich), and business contexts.

• Authorities & Courts (Behörden & Gerichte): Used when talking about official copies of decisions (Bescheide), judgments (Urteile), certificates (Urkunden), etc.
• Contracts (Vertragswesen): With contracts, each party often receives their own Ausfertigung.
• Notaries (Notariate): Notaries create Ausfertigungen of notarized documents.

Distinction from similar words:

• Kopie: A general reproduction, often without legal equivalence to the original (e.g., photocopy).
• Abschrift: Can be a simple transcript or a certified copy. The term Ausfertigung usually implies a higher official or legal significance than a mere (certified) Abschrift.
• Original / Urschrift: The original, first document from which Ausfertigungen or copies are made.
• Entwurf: A draft or preliminary version of a document, not yet finalized or officially valid.

Common verbs used with Ausfertigung are erstellen (to create), erhalten (to receive), ausstellen (to issue), or vorlegen (to submit/present).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Ausfertigung'

1. Article Mnemonic: Most German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (feminin). Think of: die Meinung (opinion), die Rechnung (bill), die Hoffnung (hope)... and therefore also die Ausfertigung. The ending gives you the clue! ♀️

2. Meaning Mnemonic: Think of "making something ready (fertig) to go out (aus)". A document is made fertig (prepared) to be given aus (out) to parties, authorities, etc. – as the official version. 📜➡️🏢 It's the 'executed' version.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Not every copy (Kopie) is an Ausfertigung! The official character is crucial.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef seinen neuen Azubi: "Können Sie mir bitte drei Ausfertigungen von diesem Bericht machen?"
Azubi: "Klar, Chef! Brauchen Sie die in dreifacher Ausfertigung?" 😉

English: The boss asks his new apprentice: "Could you please make me three official copies (Ausfertigungen) of this report?"
Apprentice: "Sure, boss! Do you need them in triplicate (in dreifacher Ausfertigung)?" 😉

📄 A Poem about Ausfertigung

German:
Ein Siegel drauf, ein Stempel klar,
das Dokument, nun ist es wahr.
Nicht nur Kopie, zum schnell Vergehn,
die Ausfertigung lässt Rechte entstehn.
Vom Amt geschickt, per Post gebracht,
hat rechtlich bindend ihre Macht.
Ein wichtig Stück, für dich und mich,
so ist's offiziell, ganz sicherlich.

English Translation:
A seal upon it, a stamp so clear,
the document, now truth is here.
Not just a copy, fading fast,
the Ausfertigung makes rights last.
Sent by the office, by post conveyed,
its legally binding power displayed.
An important piece, for you and me,
it's official now, most certainly.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin kein Original, doch zähl' ich viel,
trage oft Stempel oder Siegel als Stil.
Für Verträge und Urteile bin ich gemacht,
als amtliche Kopie sorgfältig bedacht.

Wer bin ich?

English:
I'm not original, but hold great sway,
I often wear stamps or seals in a formal way.
For contracts and judgments, I am made,
as an official copy, carefully laid.

What am I?

Solution: die Ausfertigung

🧩 Further Details

Word Composition:

The word "Ausfertigung" is composed of:

• Prefix "aus-": Often indicates outward movement, completion, or creation.
• Stem of the verb "fertigen": Means to produce, make, prepare. Related to "fertig" (ready, finished).
• Suffix "-ung": Forms nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result, and is typically feminine.

Context: The word carries a strong connotation of officialdom, legality, and bureaucracy. It's rarely used in everyday small talk unless discussing specific official documents.