die  Auszählung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaʊsˌtsɛːlʊŋ/

🗳️ What does "die Auszählung" mean?

Die Auszählung (feminine) refers to the process of counting or the result of this process. It means systematically determining a quantity or number.

• Process of counting: The act of performing the count itself, e.g., counting votes after an election (die Stimmenauszählung) or counting goods during an inventory check (die Inventur).
• Result of counting: The determined number or outcome, e.g., the final result of an election after the votes have been counted.

The word derives from the verb auszählen (to count out, to count completely, to tally votes).

⚠️ The article is always die, because German nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Auszählung

The noun "Auszählung" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always "die". Like most feminine nouns ending in -ung, it has a regular declension pattern.

Declension

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Auszählung der Stimmen dauerte die ganze Nacht.
   (The counting of the votes lasted all night.)
2. Das Ergebnis der Auszählung wird morgen bekannt gegeben.
   (The result of the count will be announced tomorrow.)
3. Bei der Inventur erfolgte eine genaue Auszählung aller Artikel im Lager.
   (During the inventory check, a precise count of all items in the warehouse was carried out.)
4. Fehler bei der Auszählung können zu falschen Ergebnissen führen.
   (Errors during the count can lead to incorrect results.)

💡 In Context: When to use "die Auszählung"?

"Die Auszählung" is primarily used in specific contexts:

• Elections & Votes (Wahlen & Abstimmungen): Its most common use. Here, it refers to determining the result by counting the cast votes (Stimmenauszählung - vote count). Example: Die Spannung während der Auszählung war groß. (The tension during the count was high.)
• Inventory & Stocktaking (Inventur & Lagerhaltung): When counting stock levels in a shop or warehouse. Example: Die jährliche Auszählung des Inventars steht an. (The annual inventory count is due.)
• Sports: Sometimes used for counting points or scores, although more specific terms like "Punktestand" (score) are often preferred.
• General: Less commonly used for counting other things when the process or the final result needs emphasis.

Difference from "Zählung":

"Zählung" is a more general term for counting. "Auszählung" often implies a complete, final count that leads to an official result, especially in elections (auszählen = to count out / to the end). In the context of inventory, both terms are often interchangeable, but "Auszählung" can emphasize the completion of the counting process.

🧠 Mnemonics for Auszählung

For the article (die): Remember the ending -ung! Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. Think: Die (she) is in charge of die Auszählung (the counting - like 'ing' often indicates an action/process).

For the meaning (count/tally): The word comes from aus-zählen. Imagine counting something thoroughly 'out' (like aus) until you reach the end to get the final result – that's the Auszählung.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Aufzählung: (Enumeration, list) - Naming items in sequence (e.g., eine Aufzählung von Gründen - an enumeration of reasons). Not about counting a quantity.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Wahlhelfer den anderen nach der langen Nacht der Auszählung: "Und, wie viele Schäfchen hast du heute Nacht gezählt?" Antwortet der andere müde: "Keine Ahnung, aber es waren definitiv weniger als Stimmzettel!"

Translation: One election helper asks another after the long night of counting: "So, how many sheep did you count tonight?" The other replies tiredly: "No idea, but it was definitely fewer than ballot papers!"

📜 Poem about Counting

Die Wahl ist um, die Stille kehrt nun ein,
doch Arbeit wartet, fein säuberlich und rein.
Ein Zettel hier, ein Kreuzchen dort,
an diesem wichtigen, ernsten Ort.
Die Auszählung beginnt, ganz konzentriert,
bis das Ergebnis endlich wird notiert.
Jede Stimme zählt, das ist der Sinn,
die Auszählung bringt den Gewinn.

Translation: The election's over, silence now returns,
But work awaits, meticulously and clean it burns.
A ballot here, a little cross right there,
In this important, serious affair.
The count begins, with concentrated might,
Until the result is finally brought to light.
Every vote counts, that is the core,
The Auszählung brings victory to the fore.

❓ Riddle

Ich komme nach der Wahl zum Zug,
bin manchmal kurz, oft lang genug.
Ich bringe Klarheit, Zahl für Zahl,
und küre Sieger, ohne Wahl.

Was bin ich?

Translation: I come into play after the vote is cast,
Sometimes I'm short, but often built to last.
I bring clarity, number by number's call,
And crown the winners, without a choice at all.

What am I?

Solution: Die Auszählung (The count/tally)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word "Auszählung" is a noun derived from the verb "auszählen". It consists of:

• Prefix: aus- (often indicates completion or a result)
• Verb stem: zähl (from the verb "zählen" - to count)
• Suffix: -ung (forms feminine nouns denoting a process or result)