die  Ausrottung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌʁɔtʊŋ/

📖 What does 'die Ausrottung' mean?

Die Ausrottung means the eradication, extermination, or extinction. It refers to the complete destruction or elimination of a group of living beings (like animal or plant species), a disease, a population group, or even an idea or custom. The word often carries a very strong negative connotation, especially when referring to humans (e.g., in the context of genocide).

It derives from the verb ausrotten, which means something like "to root out" or "to remove by the roots". Key distinctions are:

• Biological: The extinction of a species due to human influence or natural causes (e.g., die Ausrottung des Dodos - the extinction of the dodo).
• Medical: The complete elimination of a disease (e.g., die Ausrottung der Pocken - the eradication of smallpox).
• Social/Political: The targeted destruction of an ethnic, religious, or social group (often linked to genocide) or the elimination of ideas or cultures. ⚠️ This usage is extremely negatively charged.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Ausrottung

The word 'Ausrottung' is a feminine noun. The article is die. Like most German nouns ending in -ung, it is feminine.

Declension:

Note: The plural 'Ausrottungen' is rarely used, typically only when referring to different, specific acts of eradication.

Example Sentences

1. Die Ausrottung vieler Tierarten ist eine Folge menschlichen Handelns.
   (The extinction of many animal species is a consequence of human actions.)
2. Der Bericht dokumentiert die Ausrottung indigener Völker in der Kolonialzeit.
   (The report documents the extermination of indigenous peoples during the colonial era.)
3. Wissenschaftler arbeiten an der Ausrottung von Malaria.
   (Scientists are working on the eradication of malaria.)
4. Manche fordern die vollständige Ausrottung invasiver Pflanzen.
   (Some demand the complete eradication of invasive plants.)

🗣️ How is 'Ausrottung' used?

The term die Ausrottung is primarily used in serious contexts and carries significant weight. The most common use cases are:

• Biology/Ecology: In the context of species extinction (die Ausrottung bedrohter Arten - the extinction of endangered species).
• Medicine: When combating infectious diseases (die Ausrottung der Kinderlähmung - the eradication of polio).
• History/Politics: To describe genocide or the destruction of cultures (die Ausrottung der Herero und Nama - the extermination of the Herero and Nama). ⚠️ Here, the term is particularly sensitive and emotionally charged.
• Agriculture/Gardening: Sometimes used for the elimination of pests or weeds (die Ausrottung von Ratten - the eradication of rats), although milder terms like „Bekämpfung“ (control, combat) are often preferred.

Compared to synonyms like Vernichtung (annihilation) or Tilgung (elimination, deletion), Ausrottung often emphasizes the systematic and complete removal of an entire group or category.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Ausrottung'

For the article 'die': Remember that almost all German nouns ending in -ung are feminine. The ending (-ung) signals feminine! So it's die Ausrottung.

For the meaning: Imagine rooting something aus (out), getting rid of a whole group or gang (a 'Rotte') completely, down to the roots. That's Ausrottung – total eradication or extinction.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Words like Auslese (selection) or Selektion (selection) might sound similar in certain contexts but have different meanings (choice, selection) and can also be heavily negatively loaded (especially in historical contexts).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Gärtner den Löwenzahn angezeigt? Wegen versuchter Ausrottung seines perfekten Rasens! 😉

(Why did the gardener report the dandelion to the police? For attempted eradication of his perfect lawn! 😉)

📜 Poem about Ausrottung

Wo einst der Wald in grüner Pracht,
Hat Gier und Axt ein Nichts vollbracht.
Kein Vogel singt, kein Reh mehr springt,
Die Ausrottung ihr Lied hier singt.

Ein Virus kam, so klein, so fein,
Sollte bald Geschichte sein.
Mit Impfung, Plan und Einigkeit,
War die Ausrottung nicht mehr weit.

Doch mahnend klingt das Wort so schwer,
Wenn Hass regiert und nicht die Ehr'.
Nie wieder soll es so gescheh'n,
Dass Völker durch Ausrottung vergeh'n.

(Where once the forest stood in green splendor,
Greed and axe have rendered nothing.
No bird sings, no deer leaps anymore,
Extinction sings its song here.

A virus came, so small, so fine,
Soon it was to be history.
With vaccination, plan, and unity,
Eradication was not far away.

But the word sounds so heavy as a warning,
When hate rules and not honor.
Never again should it happen,
That peoples perish through extermination.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin das Ende einer Art, von Krankheit oder Brauch.
Manchmal gewollt, doch oft beklagt, ein schrecklicher Missbrauch.
Ich lasse nichts und niemanden zurück, bin gründlich und final.
Mein Name klingt nach Wurzeln raus, bring Tod und große Qual.

Was bin ich?

(I am the end of a species, a disease, or a custom.
Sometimes intended, but often lamented, a terrible misuse.
I leave nothing and no one behind, I am thorough and final.
My name sounds like rooting out, I bring death and great agony.

What am I?) (Solution: die Ausrottung)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word Ausrottung is a noun derived from the verb ausrotten. It is composed of:

• Prefix aus-: means 'out', 'to the end', 'completely'.
• Verb stem rott-: from the verb rotten, originally meaning 'to clear land', 'to grub up', related to 'reuten' (to remove roots). There might also be a connection to 'Rotte' (group, gang), in the sense of 'dissolving/destroying a group'.
• Suffix -ung: forms nouns from verbs, indicating the process or result of the action.

Historical Context: Unfortunately, the term has been and continues to be used in inhumane ideologies to describe or call for the targeted annihilation of groups of people. Therefore, sensitivity is required when using the word.