die  Beachtung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈaxtʊŋ/

🤔 What does "die Beachtung" mean?

Die Beachtung (feminine) is a noun with several related meanings:

• Attention / Notice: Consciously paying attention to something or someone. When something findet Beachtung (finds attention/notice), it is perceived or taken into account.
• Consideration / Regard / Respect: Including rules, wishes, or facts in one's actions. You schenkst etwas/jemandem Beachtung (give attention/consideration to something/someone).
• Observance / Compliance (with rules/laws): Following regulations or instructions. Often used in the context of unter Beachtung der Vorschriften (in compliance with the regulations).

⚠️ It's primarily an abstract noun and mostly used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Check: Declining die Beachtung

Die Beachtung is a feminine noun. It is primarily used in the singular. The plural form (die Beachtungen) is very rare and would refer to individual acts of paying attention or observance.

Declension Singular

📝 Example Sentences

1. Sein Vorschlag fand allgemeine Beachtung.
   (His suggestion received general attention/notice.)
2. Trotz sorgfältiger Beachtung der Regeln passierte ein Fehler.
   (Despite careful observance of the rules, a mistake happened. - Often rephrased with prepositions like 'unter': unter Beachtung der Regeln)
3. Man sollte den Bedürfnissen anderer mehr Beachtung schenken.
   (One should pay more attention/give more consideration to the needs of others.)
4. Er fand kaum Beachtung bei seinen Kollegen.
   (He received hardly any attention/notice from his colleagues.)

💡 When and How to Use "die Beachtung"?

Die Beachtung is used in various contexts, often in slightly more formal language:

• Beachtung finden: To receive attention, to be noticed, to be taken into account.
  Example: Ihre Forschungsergebnisse fanden international Beachtung. (Her research findings gained international attention.)
• Beachtung schenken: To pay attention to, to give consideration to someone/something.
  Example: Schenken Sie den Sicherheitshinweisen Beachtung! (Pay attention to the safety instructions!)
• Unter Beachtung von...: In compliance with..., taking into account..., according to...
  Example: Die Prüfung erfolgte unter Beachtung aller relevanten Normen. (The inspection was carried out in compliance with all relevant standards.)
• Keine Beachtung finden / Jemandem keine Beachtung schenken: To be ignored, not to receive attention.
  Example: Seine Warnungen fanden leider keine Beachtung. (Unfortunately, his warnings were ignored / received no attention.)

Difference from 'Aufmerksamkeit': While Aufmerksamkeit often describes spontaneous mental focus, Beachtung more frequently implies conscious consideration, respect, or adherence.

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Beachtung"

1. For the article 'die':

   Think of giving respect - in German, die Achtung. Beachtung comes from Achtung and keeps the feminine article die. Feminine nouns ending in -ung are very common, so that's another clue for 'die'.

2. For the meaning:

   Imagine someone shouting the German warning "Achtung!". You give it your attention, your "Be-achtung". The prefix 'Be-' often indicates acting upon something (to pay attention to = etwas beachten). It's like being aware and giving consideration.

🔄 Word Field: Similar and Opposite

🚨 Achtung vs. Beachtung: Although related, Achtung often focuses more strongly on respect or a warning, while Beachtung typically refers more to attention or consideration.

😂 A Little Laugh about Beachtung

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum schenkst du meinem Unterricht keine Beachtung?"
Fritzchen: "Hab ich doch, Herr Lehrer! Aber sie war nicht teuer genug, um sie anzunehmen!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why don't you pay attention (lit: 'gift attention') to my lesson?"
Fritzchen: "I did, teacher! But it wasn't expensive enough to accept!"
(This plays on the verb 'schenken', which means 'to gift' or 'to give'. Fritzchen pretends 'Beachtung' is a physical gift.)

📜 Poetic Attention

Ein leises Wort, ein Blick so klar,
findet Beachtung, wunderbar.
Die Regel gilt, die Norm wird wahr,
durch Beachtung, Jahr für Jahr.
Schenkst du sie nicht, geht's oft daneben,
drum lass uns stets nach Beachtung streben.

Translation:
A quiet word, a gaze so clear,
finds attention, wonderfully dear.
The rule applies, the norm holds true,
through observance, year by year anew.
If you don't grant it, things oft go astray,
so let us always strive for attention's way.

❓ Puzzling Attention

Ich habe keine Stimme, doch man kann mich hören.
Ich habe keine Augen, doch man kann mir Blicke gewähren.
Regeln und Menschen wollen mich oft finden,
wer mich ignoriert, mag sich überwinden.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have no voice, yet I can be heard (figuratively, e.g., a plea finding attention).
I have no eyes, yet glances can be granted to me.
Rules and people often want to find me,
whoever ignores me may have to overcome difficulties.

What am I?

Solution: die Beachtung (attention, consideration, observance)

🧩 More about "Beachtung"

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

Beachtung is a verbal noun (Verbalsubstantiv). It derives from the verb beachten (to pay attention to, to observe).

• be-: A prefix often directing an action towards an object or intensifying something.
• achten: To respect, to pay attention to, to consider.
• -ung: A suffix that turns verbs into feminine nouns, often denoting the process or result of the action.

Therefore, Beachtung literally means the act or result of paying attention / observing / considering.