die
Auslosung
🎲 What exactly is an Auslosung?
Die Auslosung (feminine noun, plural: die Auslosungen) describes a process where something is decided by chance, usually by drawing lots, names, or numbers. It's a method of selection or assignment where no conscious choice is made.
Typical contexts include:
- 🏆 Sports: Drawing opponents or groups in a tournament (e.g., die Auslosung der WM-Gruppen - the World Cup group draw).
- 🎟️ Raffles/Lotteries: Drawing winning numbers or winners (e.g., die Auslosung der Lottozahlen - the lottery number draw).
- 🗳️ Allocations: Random assignment of spots, tasks, or resources.
The word derives from the verb auslosen (to draw lots, to raffle off).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Check: die Auslosung in Detail
The noun „Auslosung“ is feminine. Therefore, the article is always „die“. Like many German nouns ending in -ung, it's feminine.
Declension:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Auslosung |
| Genitive | der | Auslosung |
| Dative | der | Auslosung |
| Accusative | die | Auslosung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Auslosungen |
| Genitive | der | Auslosungen |
| Dative | den | Auslosungen |
| Accusative | die | Auslosungen |
Example Sentences:
- Die Auslosung der Viertelfinalspiele findet morgen statt. (The draw for the quarter-final matches takes place tomorrow.)
- Alle warteten gespannt auf die Auslosung der Hauptpreise. (Everyone waited eagerly for the drawing of the main prizes.)
- Durch die Auslosung wurden die Startplätze fair verteilt. (The starting positions were distributed fairly through the draw.)
- Wir haben bei mehreren Auslosungen teilgenommen, aber nie gewonnen. (We participated in several raffles but never won.)
💬 When to use Auslosung?
The term die Auslosung is used whenever a decision or allocation is made by chance. It implies fairness and impartiality, as personal preferences or criteria (apart from pre-defined pots, e.g., in sports) do not play a role.
- In sports: Very common for determining match pairings, tournament groups, or starting orders. Example: „Die Auslosung ergab ein spannendes Derby.“ (The draw resulted in an exciting derby.)
- In competitions/giveaways: A central term in lotteries, tombolas, or raffles. Example: „Die öffentliche Auslosung der Gewinner findet am Samstag statt.“ (The public drawing of the winners takes place on Saturday.)
- In selection processes: Sometimes, places (e.g., for university spots, daycare places) are allocated by lot when there are more applicants than places. Example: „Die Vergabe der Restplätze erfolgte per Auslosung.“ (The allocation of the remaining spots was done by draw.)
Distinction: While die Auswahl (the selection) or die Entscheidung (the decision) implies a conscious choice, die Auslosung emphasizes the element of chance.
🧠 Mnemonics for Auslosung
- Remembering the article (die): Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Lösung (the solution), die Entscheidung (the decision), die Zeichnung (the drawing)... and therefore also die Auslosung. The -ung ending is your clue for die!
- Remembering the meaning: Imagine drawing lots OUT (aus) of a hat. The result is the Auslosung. Or think that in a draw (Auslosung), fate (das Los) decides who is selected out.
↔️ Similar & Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Words with similar meaning):
- Die Verlosung: Very similar, often used interchangeably, especially for prize draws/raffles.
- Die Ziehung: Often refers specifically to the act of drawing (e.g., lottery numbers).
- Das Losverfahren: Emphasizes the procedure, the method of drawing lots.
- Die Tombola: A specific type of raffle, usually at fairs or parties.
Antonyms (Words with opposite meaning):
- Die Auswahl: A conscious, criteria-based choice or selection.
- Die Entscheidung: A decision based on consideration.
- Die Bestimmung: A specific designation or determination.
- Die Zuteilung (nach Kriterien): An allocation based on rules or need, not chance.
Risk of Confusion:
😂 Time for a Joke!
DE: Warum nehmen Skelette nie an einer Auslosung teil?
Weil sie keine „Knochen“ im Spiel haben wollen! 😉🦴
EN: Why do skeletons never take part in a draw (Auslosung)?
Because they have no 'bones' (skin) in the game! (Pun relies on 'Knochen' meaning 'bones', playing on the English idiom 'skin in the game' which implies having something at stake.)
✍️ A Little Poem about Auslosung
DE:
Im Topf, da liegen Lose klein,
Wer wird der Glückliche wohl sein?
Die Hand greift zu, die Spannung steigt,
Die Auslosung das Schicksal zeigt.
Kein Plan, kein Wunsch, nur Zufall pur,
Bestimmt die nächste Spielpartitur.
Ob Preis, ob Gegner, groß ob klein,
Die Auslosung lässt es so sein.
EN:
In the pot, small lots do lie,
Who will be the lucky guy?
A hand reaches in, tension mounts high,
The Auslosung shows destiny nigh.
No plan, no wish, just pure chance's art,
Determines the next game's fresh start.
Be it prize or foe, stature small or grand,
The Auslosung lets it thusly stand.
❓ Riddle Time: What am I?
DE:
Ich entscheide ohne Kopf und Sinn,
wer der nächste Sieger oder Gegner drin.
Manchmal bring ich Glück, manchmal auch Pech,
im Sport und Spiel bin ich oft Blech
oder Gold, je nachdem, wie die Kugeln fallen.
Wie nennt man dieses zufällige Erschallen?
Antwort: Die Auslosung
EN:
I decide without mind or sense,
who the next winner or opponent hence.
Sometimes I bring luck, sometimes bad plight,
in sports and games, I'm often bright
or dull, depending on how the balls may fall.
What do you call this random call?
Answer: Die Auslosung (the draw/raffle)
✨ More Interesting Facts about Auslosung
Word Composition:
The word „Auslosung“ is a noun derived from the verb „auslosen“ (to draw lots/raffle off). It consists of:
- Prefix „aus-“: Indicates separation or emergence (lots are drawn out of a container).
- Stem „los“: Refers to the lot (object or fate).
- Suffix „-ung“: Forms a noun from the verb, denoting the process or result.
Trivia:
- ⚽ Famous sports draws (like those for the FIFA World Cup or UEFA Champions League) are often broadcast live on TV and are major events for fans.
- 📜 Historically, lotteries (Losverfahren) were also used for political offices or judicial decisions (e.g., in ancient Athens).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Auslosung?
The German word 'Auslosung' is always feminine: die Auslosung. It refers to a process where chance (e.g., by drawing lots) determines a selection, allocation, or pairing, often in the context of sports or prize draws.
