die  Beendigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʔɛndɪɡʊŋ/

🎬 What exactly does "die Beendigung" mean?

Die Beendigung (feminine noun, plural: die Beendigungen) refers to the act of ending or the conclusion of something. It's a noun derived from the verb beenden (to end, to finish, to terminate).

It is often used in formal or official contexts to describe the end of a process, a relationship, a contract, or an activity.

• Meaning 1: The process of bringing something to an end (e.g., eines Projekts - a project, einer Aufgabe - a task).
• Meaning 2: The formal conclusion or termination (e.g., eines Vertrags - a contract, eines Arbeitsverhältnisses - an employment relationship).

⚠️ Attention: Although das Ende (the end) can often be used synonymously, die Beendigung emphasizes the active process of bringing something to an end or the formal act itself.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: "Die Beendigung" in Detail

Beendigung is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Beendigung des Projekts wurde einstimmig beschlossen.
   (The termination of the project was decided unanimously.)
2. Nach der Beendigung des Mietvertrages müssen Sie die Wohnung übergeben.
   (After the termination of the rental agreement, you must hand over the apartment.)
3. Die fristlose Beendigung des Arbeitsverhältnisses war unerwartet.
   (The immediate termination of the employment relationship was unexpected.)
4. Wir feiern die erfolgreiche Beendigung unserer Ausbildung.
   (We are celebrating the successful completion of our training.)

💡 How is "die Beendigung" used?

Die Beendigung is frequently used in formal, official, or legal contexts. It often sounds more formal than the simpler word das Ende (the end).

• Contracts & Legal Matters: Die Beendigung eines Mietvertrages (termination of a rental contract), die Beendigung eines Abonnements (cancellation of a subscription), die Beendigung eines Verfahrens (conclusion of proceedings).
• Work Environment: Die Beendigung des Arbeitsverhältnisses (termination of employment), die Beendigung eines Projekts (completion/termination of a project).
• Processes & Activities: Die Beendigung der Bauarbeiten (completion of construction work), die Beendigung der Verhandlungen (conclusion of negotiations).

Comparison with "Ende":

• Das Ende often refers to the point in time or the state of being finished (e.g., "Das Ende des Films war traurig." - "The end of the movie was sad.").
• Die Beendigung emphasizes the active process or the formal act of conclusion (e.g., "Die Beendigung des Abonnements erfolgte online." - "The cancellation of the subscription was done online.").

Comparison with "Abschluss":

• Der Abschluss can also mean ending, but often implies a successful outcome or reaching a goal (e.g., "Der erfolgreiche Abschluss des Studiums." - "The successful completion of the studies."). Beendigung is more neutral.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Beendigung"

For the article 'die': Remember the ending -ung! Nouns ending in -ung in German are (almost always) feminine -> die Beendigung. Think of other -ung words you know, like die Rechnung (the bill) or die Wohnung (the apartment).

For the meaning: Think of the verb beenden (to end/finish). Beendigung is the act or process of doing that. Imagine someone saying "Let's end the meeting!" The noun for this action is die Beendigung.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Die Beerdigung: The funeral/burial. This sounds somewhat similar but has a completely different meaning related to death. Don't confuse them!

😄 A Little Joke

Warum war der Vertrag so erleichtert über seine Beendigung?

Weil er endlich ausgebunden war! 😉

(Why was the contract so relieved about its termination? Because it was finally 'unbound'! - This is a pun, as 'ausgebunden sein' can mean 'to be unbound' or 'to be off duty/free'.)

📜 Poem about Termination

Ein Projekt, einst groß und klar,
findet nun sein Ende, wunderbar.
Die Arbeit getan, das Ziel erreicht,
die Beendigung macht Herzen leicht.
Ein Punkt gesetzt, ein Schlussstrich fein,
so soll der Abschluss würdig sein.

(A project, once grand and clear,
now finds its end, wonderfully near.
The work is done, the goal attained,
the termination makes hearts unchained.
A period placed, a final line so fine,
so shall the conclusion worthily shine.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich markiere das Finale, den Schluss,
ob Vertrag, ob Arbeit, ob Liebeskuss.
Manchmal komme ich mit einem Schreiben,
um den Abschied offiziell zu treiben.
Ich bin das Gegenteil vom Start,
und beende Dinge auf meine Art.

Was bin ich?

(I mark the finale, the end,
be it contract, work, or lover's send-off.
Sometimes I come with a letter,
to make the farewell official and better.
I am the opposite of the start,
and finish things in my own art.

What am I?)

Solution: die Beendigung (the termination/conclusion)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word Beendigung is a Nomen Actionis (a noun expressing an action) derived directly from the verb beenden (to end, finish, terminate). It is formed by adding the suffix -ung to the verb stem.

beenden (verb) + -ung (suffix) → die Beendigung (noun)

This pattern (verb + -ung = feminine noun) is very common in German (e.g., Hoffnung - hope, Meinung - opinion, Lösung - solution).