die  Aussage

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌzaːɡə/

📖 What does "die Aussage" mean?

Die Aussage is a feminine German noun primarily meaning a statement, assertion, or declaration. It encompasses several related concepts:

• 🗣️ A general statement or claim about something (e.g., "Seine Aussage war eindeutig." - His statement was clear.).
• ⚖️ A testimony or deposition, especially in a legal context (e.g., "Die Aussage des Zeugen belastete den Angeklagten." - The witness's testimony incriminated the defendant.).
• 📜 The core message or point of a text, speech, or artwork (e.g., "Was ist die zentrale Aussage dieses Films?" - What is the central message of this film?).
• 💡 A proposition in logic or mathematics that can be true or false (e.g., "Die Aussage '2+2=4' ist wahr." - The statement '2+2=4' is true.).

It always uses the feminine article die, so there's no confusion based on different articles. ⚠️ However, be careful not to confuse Aussage with Ansage (*announcement*).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar & Declension of "Die Aussage"

The noun Aussage is consistently feminine. Here's how it declines:

📝 Example Sentences

• Die Aussage des Politikers sorgte für Aufsehen. (The politician's statement caused a stir.)
• Ich stimme seiner Aussage nicht zu. (I do not agree with his statement.)
• Der Anwalt zweifelte an der Glaubwürdigkeit der Aussagen. (The lawyer doubted the credibility of the statements/testimonies.)
• Kannst du deine Aussage bitte wiederholen? (Can you please repeat your statement?)

💡 Usage in Context

Die Aussage is a versatile word. Here are some typical contexts:

• Everyday Language: Used for any kind of claim, assertion, or opinion. Example: "Das ist eine gewagte Aussage." (That's a bold statement.)
• Law & Police: Refers to formal declarations, especially by witnesses or suspects. Example: "Er verweigerte die Aussage." (He refused to testify/make a statement.)
• Science & Logic: Denotes a sentence whose truth value can be determined. Example: "Diese Aussage ist logisch korrekt." (This statement/proposition is logically correct.)
• Interpretation: When discussing the meaning or message of content (texts, artworks, etc.). Example: "Die Aussage des Gedichts ist tiefgründig." (The poem's message is profound.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Behauptung: Often synonymous, but Behauptung (claim, assertion) can imply a stronger sense of being unproven or subjective.
• Feststellung: Emphasizes the objective stating of a fact (observation, finding).
• Erklärung: (explanation) Can be more comprehensive, providing reasons or background, not just a statement.
• Äußerung: (utterance, remark) A more general term for anything said, not necessarily a specific assertion.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Aussage"

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of a queen making a proclamation – she is important, and what she says is die Aussage. Many abstract nouns ending in '-e' derived from verbs (like sagen -> Aussage) are feminine (die).

Meaning Mnemonic: Aussage sounds a bit like "out-saga". Imagine someone telling a saga (a story or statement) *out* loud. It's what is 'said out' -> an Aussage.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful with: Ansage (announcement, instruction) – sounds similar but has a different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat der Logiker seine Aussage zurückgezogen?
Weil sie keinen Wahrheitsgehalt hatte, aber immerhin Prädikate! 😄

English: Why did the logician retract his statement (Aussage)?
Because it had no truth value, but at least it had predicates! 😄 (A pun on logical terms)

✍️ Poem about the Statement

German:
Ein Wort gesagt, ein Satz geformt,
Die Aussage, oft unverstormt.
Mal klar und hell, mal tief, mal vage,
Sie trägt Gewicht an jedem Tage.

Vor Richters Pult, im Freundeskreis,
Sie schafft mal Hitze, mal auch Eis.
Drum wähle weise, was du sprichst,
Bevor die Aussage zerbricht.

English Translation:
A word is said, a sentence formed,
The statement (die Aussage), often unstormed.
Sometimes clear and bright, sometimes deep, sometimes vague,
It carries weight on every stage (day).

Before the judge's bench, among friends near,
It creates heat, sometimes also fear (ice).
So choose wisely what you convey,
Before the statement breaks away.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich kann wahr sein oder falsch,
Manchmal klar, manchmal ein Schwall.
Vor Gericht bin ich gefragt,
Auch in Texten oft gesagt.
Was bin ich, feminin und klar?

English Translation:
I can be true or be false,
Sometimes clear, sometimes a gush (of words).
In court, I am requested,
In texts too, often attested.
What am I, feminine and clear?

Lösung/Solution: die Aussage (the statement)

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word Aussage is a noun derived from the verb aussagen (to state, to testify). Aussagen itself is composed of:

• Prefix aus-: here means 'out', 'outward'
• Verb sagen: to say, to tell

So, an Aussage is literally something that is 'said out' or 'communicated outward'.

Related Terms (Verwandte Begriffe):

• aussagekräftig: meaningful, significant, informative
• Aussagelogik: propositional logic
• Kernaussage: core message, main point
• Falschaussage: false statement, perjury (especially in a legal context)