die  Ausstellung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌʃtɛlʊŋ/

🤔 What does "die Ausstellung" mean?

The German word die Ausstellung has several meanings, all derived from the verb ausstellen (to display, to issue).

1. 🖼️ Exhibition/Show (Art, Museum): This is the most common meaning. It refers to a public display of artworks, historical objects, or other items of interest in a museum, gallery, or other venue.

   Example: Wir besuchen morgen die neue Picasso-Ausstellung. (Tomorrow we are visiting the new Picasso exhibition.)

2. 🏭 Trade Fair/Expo: An event where companies present their products or services to professionals or the public. Often used synonymously with die Messe (trade fair), but Ausstellung can be more specific or smaller.

   Example: Auf der Automobil-Ausstellung wurden die neuesten Modelle gezeigt. (The latest models were shown at the automotive exhibition/expo.)

3. 📄 Issuance (of a document): The act of creating or issuing an official document.

   Example: Die Ausstellung des Reisepasses dauert mehrere Wochen. (The issuance of the passport takes several weeks.)

⚠️ Although all meanings use the article "die", understanding the context is crucial to grasp the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar Deep Dive: die Ausstellung

Ausstellung is a feminine noun. It always takes the article die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural of Ausstellung is Ausstellungen.

💡 Usage Examples

• Nominative: Die Ausstellung im Stadtmuseum ist sehr interessant. (The exhibition in the city museum is very interesting.)
• Genitive: Der Katalog der Ausstellung kostet fünf Euro. (The catalogue of the exhibition costs five euros.)
• Dative: Ich habe der Ausstellung viel Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt. (I paid a lot of attention to the exhibition.)
• Accusative: Hast du die Ausstellung schon gesehen? (Have you seen the exhibition yet?)
• Plural: In Berlin gibt es viele verschiedene Ausstellungen. (There are many different exhibitions in Berlin.)
• Document: Nach der Ausstellung des Zeugnisses konnte er sich bewerben. (After the issuance of the certificate, he could apply.)

🗣️ How to Use "Ausstellung"

The usage of die Ausstellung heavily depends on the context:

• Art & Culture: Here, it clearly refers to showing art or cultural artifacts. Common terms include Kunstausstellung (art exhibition), Fotoausstellung (photo exhibition), Sonderausstellung (special exhibition), Dauerausstellung (permanent exhibition).
• Business & Trade: In this field, Ausstellung is often synonymous with Messe (trade fair), especially for presenting goods and services (e.g., Industrieausstellung (industrial exhibition), Weltausstellung (world fair/expo)). However, an Ausstellung can be smaller or more specific than a Messe. Sometimes it just refers to a company's booth at a trade fair (Ausstellungsstand).
• Administration & Law: Here, Ausstellung means the formal act of creating a document (e.g., Ausstellung eines Passes (issuance of a passport), Ausstellung einer Urkunde (issuance of a certificate), Ausstellung eines Rezepts (issuance of a prescription)). The related verb is ausstellen.

Comparison:

• Ausstellung vs. Messe: A Messe is usually larger, more commercial, and occurs regularly. An Ausstellung can be a one-off event, smaller, or purely informative/artistic.
• Ausstellung vs. Schau: Schau is often more informal or smaller (e.g., Modenschau (fashion show), Leistungsschau (showcase/display of achievements)).
• Ausstellung vs. Präsentation: A Präsentation (presentation) is often verbal or digital and less physical than an Ausstellung.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Ausstellung"

For the article "die": Think of things you find at an exhibition: die Kunst (art), die Skulptur (sculpture), die Vitrine (display case). Also, nouns ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine → die Ausstellung.

For the meanings: Imagine you "aus-stellen" (put out/display):

• You put out art → Art exhibition 🖼️
• You put out products → Trade fair/expo 🏭
• You put out (issue) a document → Document issuance 📄

🔁 Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Watch out for similar-sounding words:

• die Anstellung: (employment, job). Sounds similar but means something completely different.
• die Vorstellung: (performance, introduction, idea). Also relates to presenting, but in different contexts (theatre, person, concept).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Dieb die leere Leinwand aus der Kunstausstellung gestohlen?

(Why did the thief steal the empty canvas from the art exhibition?)

Er fand die Darstellung der modernen Leere einfach meisterhaft!

(He found the depiction of modern emptiness simply masterful!) 😉

📜 Poem about Ausstellung

In Hallen hell, an Wänden rein,
(In halls so bright, on walls so clean,)
lockt die Ausstellung, groß und fein.
(The exhibition calls, grand and keen.)
Mal Kunst, mal Technik, alt und neu,
(Sometimes art, sometimes tech, old and new,)
man schaut und staunt, ist mit dabei.
(One looks and marvels, part of the crew.)
Ein Dokument, ganz offiziell,
(A document, quite official you see,)
auch das ist ihre Welt, ganz schnell.
(That's also its world, quick as can be.)
Ob Pass, ob Bild, ob Warenschau,
(Be it passport, picture, or product display,)
die Ausstellung macht uns schlau.
(The exhibition makes us smart today.)

❓ Riddle

Ich zeige Kunst, ganz ungeniert,
(I show art, quite openly displayed,)
manchmal auch, was produziert.
(Sometimes also what's produced or made.)
Ich kann ein Dokument dir geben,
(I can give you a document,)
und bringe Neues oft ins Leben.
(And often bring new things to present.)
Mit "die" steh ich im Duden drin,
(With "die" I stand in the dictionary,)
was bin ich wohl? Denk scharf mal hin!

(What am I? Think carefully!)

Solution: die Ausstellung

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Ausstellung" is composed of:

• Prefix "aus-": indicates outward movement, completion, result
• Stem "stell(en)": means to place, put, position
• Suffix "-ung": forms a noun from the verb, usually feminine

Together, they create the meaning of "putting something out" (displaying/issuing) or the result thereof.

Related Verbs:

• ausstellen: to exhibit, to display, to issue (a document)
• zur Ausstellung bringen: to put on display/exhibit