die  Auslegung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌleːɡʊŋ/

📖 What does 'die Auslegung' mean?

Die Auslegung is a feminine noun with several related meanings:

• Interpretation / Exegesis: This is the most common meaning. It refers to understanding and explaining the meaning of something, e.g., a text (Text), a law (Gesetz), a piece of art (Kunstwerk), or even behaviour (Verhalten). Example: Die Auslegung des Gedichts war umstritten. (The interpretation of the poem was controversial.)
• Design / Layout / Specification (technical): In a technical context, 'die Auslegung' describes the process of designing or planning the specifications or layout of something, e.g., a machine (Maschine), a plant (Anlage), or a system (System). Example: Die Auslegung der Rohrleitungen erforderte viel Fachwissen. (The design/layout of the pipelines required a lot of expertise.)
• Explanation / Exposition: A detailed explanation or statement of facts or ideas (Darlegung).

🚨 The meaning heavily depends on the context (Kontext). In legal (juristisch) or literary (literarisch) fields, it usually means interpretation; in technical fields, it means design/planning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar & Declension of 'Auslegung'

The word 'Auslegung' is a feminine noun. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die).

Grammar Examples

1. Die Richter diskutierten über die korrekte Auslegung des Gesetzes. (The judges discussed the correct interpretation of the law.)
2. Das Verständnis hängt von der Auslegung der Fakten ab. (Understanding depends on the interpretation of the facts.)
3. Er präsentierte verschiedene Auslegungen des Vertrags. (He presented different interpretations of the contract.)
4. Die technische Auslegung der Maschine war fehlerhaft. (The technical design/specification of the machine was faulty.)

💡 How to use 'die Auslegung'?

'Die Auslegung' is used in various contexts:

• Law (Recht): Here, Gesetzesauslegung (legal interpretation) is central. Courts and lawyers constantly deal with the interpretation of paragraphs (Paragraphen) and contracts (Verträge). One speaks of teleologische (teleological), historische (historical), grammatikalische (grammatical), or systematische Auslegung (systematic interpretation).
• Literature/Art/Music (Literatur/Kunst/Musik): Works are interpreted. Every person can have their own Auslegung. Critics offer professional Auslegungen.
• Technology/Engineering (Technik/Ingenieurwesen): This concerns the technische Auslegung, meaning the design and dimensioning of components (Bauteile), systems (Systeme), or plants (Anlagen) (e.g., Auslegung einer Pumpe - design of a pump, Auslegung eines Netzwerks - network design).
• Everyday Life (Alltag): We also interpret things constantly in everyday life – others' behaviour, a gesture, a statement. However, the words Interpretation or Deutung often fit better here; 'Auslegung' sounds more formal or technical.

There's little risk of confusion (Verwechslungsgefahr) as the context usually clarifies whether an interpretation or a technical design is meant.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Auslegung'

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of other '-ung' words like die Meinung (opinion) or die Einladung (invitation). Imagine a woman (die Frau) carefully laying out (auslegen) her interpretation (Auslegung) of a situation.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the verb auslegen which means 'to lay out' or 'to display'. Die Auslegung is the *result* of laying something out – either laying out the meaning (interpretation) or laying out the plans (technical design/layout).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but different words

• Auslage (die): Goods displayed in a shop window; also: expenses paid out. Don't confuse!
• Anlage (die): Can mean a technical installation, a park/grounds, or a financial investment.

😂 A little Joke

Richter: "Haben Sie irgendetwas zu Ihrer Verteidigung zu sagen?"
Angeklagter: "Ja, Herr Richter. Paragraph 5, Absatz 3 – aber die Auslegung überlasse ich lieber Ihnen!"

Translation:
Judge: "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Defendant: "Yes, Your Honor. Paragraph 5, Section 3 – but I'd rather leave the interpretation to you!"

📜 Poem about Interpretation

Ein Wort, ein Text, ein alter Plan,
was hat der Autor wohl getan?
Was meint das Recht, was sagt die Kunst?
Es braucht Verstand und Geistesgunst.

Die Auslegung, mal klar, mal schwer,
bringt Sinn ans Licht, von ungefähr?
Nein, mit Bedacht wird sie gemacht,
hat mancher drüber nachgedacht.

Ob Technik, Schrift, ob Bild, ob Ton,
die Deutung ist der Arbeit Lohn.

Translation:
A word, a text, an old plan,
what might the author have done?
What means the law, what says the art?
It needs reason and a gifted heart.

The interpretation, sometimes clear, sometimes tough,
does it bring meaning to light, just by bluff?
No, with consideration it is made,
many have pondered, unafraid.

Be it tech, or script, or image, or sound,
the meaning found is labour's crown.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann ich sprechen – durch andere.
Ich habe keine Form, doch gebe Dingen Struktur.
Mal bin ich im Gesetz zu Haus, mal in der Dichterstube,
mal plane ich 'ne Wasserleitung oder eine Grube.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have no mouth, yet I can speak – through others.
I have no form, yet I give structure to things.
Sometimes I'm at home in the law, sometimes in the poet's chamber,
sometimes I plan a water pipe or a construction pit.

What am I?(Solution: die Auslegung - the interpretation/design)

🧩 Further Details

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word 'Auslegung' is composed of:

• Prefix 'aus-': Often indicates movement outwards, a result, or completeness.
• Stem verb 'legen': To lay, to put something in a specific position.
• Suffix '-ung': Forms nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result.

Together, 'auslegen' means to explain, interpret, display, or to design/plan. 'Die Auslegung' is the result of this process.