die  Auskunft

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌkʊnft/

📚 What does "die Auskunft" mean?

The German word die Auskunft has two primary meanings:

1. Information or Advice: It refers to the piece of information or clarification given in response to a query. Example: Können Sie mir bitte eine Auskunft über die Zugverbindungen geben? (Can you please give me some information about the train connections?)
2. Information Desk or Inquiry Office: It refers to the place (often a counter or office) where one can obtain information. Example: Gehen Sie bitte zur Auskunft im Erdgeschoss. (Please go to the information desk on the ground floor.)

It's a feminine noun and always takes the article "die".

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Auskunft

"Auskunft" is a feminine noun. Its plural form is "die Auskünfte".

Declension of "die Auskunft"

Here's how it changes in the different grammatical cases (Fälle):

Example Sentences

• Ich brauche eine Auskunft. (I need some information. - Accusative, Meaning 1)
• Wo finde ich die Auskunft? (Where can I find the information desk? - Accusative, Meaning 2)
• Vielen Dank für die Auskunft! (Many thanks for the information! - Accusative, Meaning 1)
• Wir haben verschiedene Auskünfte erhalten. (We received various pieces of information. - Accusative Plural, Meaning 1)

💡 How to use "die Auskunft"?

"Die Auskunft" is commonly used in situations involving seeking or providing information.

• Auskunft geben/erteilen: to provide information. (Die Behörde gibt nur schriftlich Auskunft. - The authority only provides information in writing.)
• um Auskunft bitten/ersuchen: to ask for/request information. (Ich möchte Sie um Auskunft bitten. - I would like to ask you for information.)
• eine Auskunft einholen: to obtain information. (Es ist ratsam, vorab Auskünfte einzuholen. - It is advisable to obtain information beforehand.)
• zur Auskunft gehen: to go to the information desk. (Für Fragen zur Veranstaltung gehen Sie bitte zur Auskunft am Eingang. - For questions about the event, please go to the information desk at the entrance.)

When referring to the place, it's often part of compound nouns like Bahnhofsauskunft (train station information), Telefonauskunft (directory assistance), or synonymous with Touristeninformation.

⚠️ Don't confuse die Auskunft with die Aussage (statement, testimony) or die Erkundung (exploration, reconnaissance).

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Auskunft"

For the article "die": Many German nouns ending in -kunft are feminine (die), like die Ankunft (arrival), die Zukunft (future), die Herkunft (origin), and die Auskunft. Think of needing information (Auskunft) and asking a helpful lady – she (die) gives you the info.

For the meaning: Think of information coming "aus" (out) from a knowledgeable source. The "Kunft" part relates to 'knowing' or 'making known'. So, die Auskunft is the knowledge that comes out, or the place where it comes out from.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words

• Aussage (die): statement, testimony. A declared statement, not necessarily an answer.
• Erkundung (die): exploration, reconnaissance. The act of exploring or scouting.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Kunde an der Telefonauskunft: "Können Sie mir die Nummer vom Bäcker Braun geben?"
Auskunft: "Tut mir leid, die Nummer ist nicht aufgeführt." Kunde: "Wieso nicht? Steht er etwa unter 'Mehl'-deschutz?"

Translation:

A customer asks directory assistance: "Can you give me the number for Baker Braun?"
Assistance: "Sorry, the number isn't listed." Customer: "Why not? Is he under 'flour' protection?"

(Pun: "Meldeschutz" means protection of registration data, sounds like "Mehl-deschutz" - flour protection.)

✒️ Poem about Auskunft

Man sucht, man fragt, man ist verwirrt,
Ein Schild, ein Pfeil, der Weg sich irrt.
Doch Rettung naht, ein heller Punkt,
Man bittet höflich um Auskunft.

Sei's Fahrplan, Nummer oder Ort,
Ein freundlich Wort hilft schnell sofort.
Das Wissen kommt, die Frage schwand,
Dank guter Auskunft hier im Land.

Translation:

One searches, asks, feels confused,
A sign, an arrow, the path misused.
But rescue nears, a point of light,
One politely asks for information bright.

Be it schedule, number, or place nearby,
A friendly word helps quickly fly.
The knowledge comes, the question ceased,
Thanks to good information, worries released.

🤔 Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch gebe ich dir kund,
Was du wissen willst, zu jeder Stund'.
Mal bin ich ein Schalter, mal nur ein Wort,
Ich helfe dir weiter an manchem Ort.

Wer oder was bin ich? (Lösung: die Auskunft)

Translation:

I have no mouth, yet I make known to you,
What you want to know, at any hour, it's true.
Sometimes I'm a counter, sometimes just a word,
I help you along in many places heard.

Who or what am I? (Answer: die Auskunft - information / information desk)

🧩 Further Details

Word Origin (Etymology)

The word "Auskunft" is composed of the prefix aus- (out) and the noun Kunft. "Kunft" is related to the verb "künden" (to announce, make known) and ultimately to "können" (can, to be able to know). So, Auskunft literally means something that is 'announced out' or 'known out'.

Compound Words

Common compounds involving "Auskunft" include:

• Bahnhofsauskunft: Train station information desk
• Telefonauskunft: Directory assistance (phone information)
• Rechtsauskunft: Legal information or advice
• Fahrplanauskunft: Timetable information