die
Auslese
📖 What does "die Auslese" mean?
The word die Auslese (feminine) generally refers to a process or the result of a careful selection of the best elements from a larger group. It has several specific meanings:
- General selection/choice: Choosing the best or most suitable people or things from a group. Example: die Auslese der Bewerber (the selection of applicants).
- Anthology/collection: A collection of selected literary texts, pieces of music, or works of art. Example: eine Auslese deutscher Gedichte (an anthology of German poems).
- Wine predicate level 🍇: A quality level for German Prädikatswein (quality wine with special attributes). For this, only fully ripe, often botrytized (noble rot affected) berries are selected by hand ('ausgelesen'). These wines are usually sweet and suitable for ageing. Example: eine Riesling Auslese von der Mosel (a Riesling Auslese from the Mosel region).
🚨 The word is always used with the article "die" because it is feminine.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📊 Grammar and Declension: die Auslese
"Auslese" is a feminine noun. It declines as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Auslese |
| Genitive | der | Auslese |
| Dative | der | Auslese |
| Accusative | die | Auslese |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Auslesen |
| Genitive | der | Auslesen |
| Dative | den | Auslesen |
| Accusative | die | Auslesen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Auslese der eingereichten Manuskripte dauerte mehrere Wochen.
(The selection of the submitted manuscripts took several weeks.) - Diese Auslese an Kurzgeschichten enthält viele Klassiker.
(This anthology of short stories contains many classics.) - Zum Dessert gab es eine edelsüße Auslese.
(For dessert, there was a noble sweet Auslese wine.) - Nur die beste Qualität kommt für die Auslese infrage.
(Only the best quality is considered for the selection/Auslese.)
💡 Usage in Context
"Die Auslese" is used when a deliberate, quality-oriented selection is made from a quantity. The focus is on the high quality or special nature of the chosen items.
- Viticulture (Winemaking): Very specific meaning as a predicate level. An 'Auslese' wine is higher in quality than 'Spätlese' but below 'Beerenauslese'.
- Literature/Art: Often refers to a compilation of works ('anthology').
- Human Resources/Breeding: Selection of the best candidates or specimens.
Difference to "Auswahl": While "Auswahl" describes a general choice or assortment, "Auslese" always implies a selection based on specific, usually high, quality criteria. An "Auslese" is a special kind of "Auswahl".
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Auslese"
Article Mnemonic: Think of 'the' selection or 'the' elite – many English words ending in '-ion' or referring to select groups correspond to feminine German nouns (like die Auslese, die Selektion, die Nation).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine carefully reading (lesen) OUT (aus) the very best options from a bunch – that's the Auslese (the top selection).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- Masse: (The undifferentiated mass/crowd)
- Durchschnitt: (The average)
- Ramsch: (Junk, low-quality goods)
- Ausschuss: (Rejects, discarded items)
⚠️ Note: Although "Auswahl" is often used synonymously, it lacks the strong connotation of special quality that "Auslese" usually carries.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum ist die Weintraube bei der Auslese so entspannt?
Weil sie weiß, dass sie zur Elite gehört! 😉
English: Why is the grape so relaxed during the Auslese (selection)?
Because it knows it belongs to the elite! 😄
📜 Poem about Auslese
Am Rebstock, sonnenverwöhnt und klar,
wartet die Traube, Jahr für Jahr.
Die Hand des Winzers, prüfend, fein,
wählt nur die Besten für den Wein.
Nicht jede Beere darf ins Fass,
nur die Auslese, mit Maß und Spaß.
Süß und edel, goldner Schein,
so schmeckt die Sonne, rein und fein.
English Translation:
On the vine, sun-kissed and clear,
waits the grape, year after year.
The vintner's hand, testing, fine,
selects only the best for the wine.
Not every berry may go in the cask,
only the Auslese, with measure and task.
Sweet and noble, golden shine,
so tastes the sun, pure and fine.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin eine Wahl, doch nicht irgendeine,
ich suche das Beste, das Feine, das Reine.
Im Buch und im Wein bin ich sehr begehrt,
Qualität ist, was man an mir ehrt.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Auslese
English Translation:
I am a choice, but not just any,
I seek the best, the fine, the many.
In books and wine, I'm highly desired,
Quality is what in me is admired.
What am I?
Answer: die Auslese
🤓 Other Information
Word Composition (Etymology):
The word "Auslese" is composed of:
- aus: preposition/prefix, here meaning 'out' or 'from'.
- Lese: Nominalization (noun form) of the verb "lesen". "Lesen" not only means 'to read' but also 'to gather' or 'to pick' (like in Weinlese - grape harvest, or Ährenlese - gleaning).
So, "Auslese" literally means the act of "gathering out" or "selecting out".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Auslese?
The noun 'Auslese' is feminine. The correct and only possible article is 'die' (die Auslese, der Auslese, der Auslese, die Auslese). There are no alternative articles or genders for this word.