die  Aussagekraft

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌzaːɡəˌkʁaft/

🤔 What does „die Aussagekraft“ mean?

Die Aussagekraft (noun, feminine) describes the significance, impact, weight, or expressiveness of a statement, argument, piece of evidence, artwork, or even data. It's about how strong, convincing, meaningful, or relevant something is.

• In conversation/text: How convincing is an argument? Does a statistic really have Aussagekraft (significance)?
• In art: What message or feeling does a painting convey? How high is its Aussagekraft (expressiveness)?
• In law: How relevant is a piece of evidence to the case? What is the Aussagekraft (probative value) of the witness testimony?

It serves as a measure of significance and relevance.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar in Detail: die Aussagekraft

The word „Aussagekraft“ is a feminine noun. It is primarily used in the singular, as it describes an abstract concept.

Declension Singular

Plural

The plural form „die Aussagekräfte“ is very rare and usually only used when referring to different types or instances of expressiveness or significance. Generally, Germans speak of „Aussagekraft“ as a general concept in the singular.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Aussagekraft dieser Studie ist begrenzt.
   (The significance of this study is limited.)
2. Wir müssen die Aussagekraft der Daten prüfen.
   (We need to check the relevance/significance of the data.)
3. Dem Argument fehlt es an Aussagekraft.
   (The argument lacks impact/conviction.)
4. Die Richterin zweifelte an der Aussagekraft des Beweismittels.
   (The judge doubted the probative value of the piece of evidence.)

🗣️ How to use „die Aussagekraft“?

„Aussagekraft“ is used to evaluate the impact, meaning, or relevance of information, arguments, evidence, or artistic expressions.

• Science & Research: The Aussagekraft of study results depends on the methodology and sample size.
• Law: The Aussagekraft of a witness testimony can be weakened by contradictory statements.
• Business: Key performance indicators (KPIs) must have high Aussagekraft to enable good business decisions.
• Everyday Communication: One might question the Aussagekraft of a claim (“Diese Statistik hat doch keine Aussagekraft!” - This statistic has no significance!).
• Art & Culture: The emotional Aussagekraft of a painting or piece of music is often subjective.

⚠️ Don't confuse „Aussagekraft“ with „Aussage“. An „Aussage“ is the statement itself; „Aussagekraft“ describes how strong or meaningful that statement is.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the Article: Think of die Kraft (the power/strength). Kraft is feminine (die Kraft), and die Aussagekraft is the 'power' or 'strength' of a statement (Aussage). Therefore: die Aussagekraft.

For the Meaning: Imagine a statement (Aussage) lifting a heavy weight (it has Kraft - power/strength). The more weight it can lift, the more Aussagekraft it has – the more significant and impactful it is.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Die Aussage: The statement itself. (e.g., „Seine Aussage war klar.“ - His statement was clear. vs. „Seine Aussage hatte wenig Aussagekraft.“ - His statement had little significance/impact.)

😄 A Little Joke

Warum haben manche Statistiken so wenig Aussagekraft?

Weil sie sich nicht trauen, Farbe zu bekennen – sie bleiben lieber grau! 😉

(Why do some statistics have so little significance/expressiveness?)

(Because they don't dare to show their true colors – they prefer to stay gray!) 😉

✍️ Poem about Aussagekraft

Ein Wort gesprochen, leicht und schnell,
doch hat es Kraft, wird's hell? Man prüft den Sinn, das wahre Licht,
die Aussagekraft, das inn're Gewicht.

Mal stark wie Fels, mal schwach wie Hauch,
entscheidet sie im Lebensrauch.
Drum wähle weise, was du sprichst,
damit an Kraft es nie gebricht.

(A word spoken, light and fast,
but does it have power, will its brightness last?
One checks the meaning, the true light,
the Aussagekraft, the inner might.)

(Sometimes strong as rock, sometimes weak as breath,
it decides within life's smoky wreath.
So choose wisely what you say,
that its strength may never decay.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin die Stärke hinterm Wort,
mal hier ganz wichtig, schwach mal dort.
Ich messe, was ein Satz vermag,
und geb' ihm Wert bei Tag und Tag.
Im Recht, Bericht, in Kunst und Zahl,
bin ich entscheidend allemal.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Aussagekraft

(I am the strength behind the word,
sometimes vital here, sometimes weakly heard.
I measure what a sentence can achieve,
and give it value, day by day, you believe.
In law, report, in art, and score,
I am decisive evermore.)

(What am I?)

(Solution: die Aussagekraft / expressiveness, significance)

🧩 Additional Information

Word Origin / Composition

The word „Aussagekraft“ is a compound noun, composed of:

• Die Aussage: from „aussagen“, to state, express, testify.
• Die Kraft: strength, power, force, impact.

Literally, it means the “power/strength of a statement”.

Cultural Context

In German culture, there is often an emphasis on precision and well-founded arguments. Therefore, the Aussagekraft of information and justifications plays an important role in many areas, from science to everyday discussions.