die  Befragung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈfraːɡʊŋ/

❓ What Exactly is a 'Befragung'?

Die Befragung (feminine noun, plural: die Befragungen) is derived from the verb befragen (to ask, to question, to survey). It describes the act of systematically asking questions to one or more people to gather information, opinions, or data. Depending on the context, it can have several specific meanings:

• Survey/Poll: Systematic collection of data or opinions from a group of people, often for research, market analysis, or opinion polling purposes. (e.g., eine telefonische Befragung durchführen - to conduct a telephone survey)
• Interrogation/Questioning: The formal questioning of a person by authorities (police, court), often as part of an investigation or legal proceeding. (e.g., die Befragung des Zeugen - the questioning of the witness)
• Interview (in a broader sense): Asking questions in a conversation to obtain information, even if less formal than an interrogation. (e.g., die Befragung der Anwohner ergab nichts Neues - questioning the residents revealed nothing new)

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the precise meaning of 'die Befragung'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 'Die Befragung' from a Grammatical Perspective

The word "Befragung" is a feminine noun. All German nouns ending in -ung are feminine and take the article die.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Ergebnisse der Befragung werden nächste Woche veröffentlicht.
   (The results of the survey will be published next week.)
2. Während der Befragung machte der Angeklagte widersprüchliche Angaben.
   (During the questioning, the defendant made contradictory statements.)
3. Das Institut führte mehrere Befragungen durch.
   (The institute conducted several surveys.)
4. Nach den Befragungen konnte der Tathergang rekonstruiert werden.
   (After the questionings, the course of events could be reconstructed.)

🗣️ When and How to Use 'die Befragung'?

'Die Befragung' is used in various contexts:

• Market Research & Social Research: Here, it usually refers to surveys (Kundenbefragung - customer survey, Mitarbeiterbefragung - employee survey, Bevölkerungsbefragung - population survey). The goal is to capture opinions, attitudes, or behaviors.
• Journalism: Can refer to an interview or a poll to gather information for a report.
• Official Context (Police, Justice): Here, it often means formal questioning or interrogation (Zeugenbefragung - witness questioning, Beschuldigtenbefragung - suspect questioning). The tone is more formal and often legally relevant.
• Everyday Language: Less common, but possible to describe pointedly asking someone questions (e.g., Nach meiner kleinen Befragung wusste ich, was er vorhatte. - After my little questioning, I knew what he was up to.).

Distinction from similar words:

• Interview: Often more two-sided and dialogue-oriented than a Befragung, which tends to focus on standardized questions (except for journalistic interviews).
• Umfrage: Very similar to Befragung in the research context, often used synonymously. 'Umfrage' sometimes emphasizes breadth (many participants), while 'Befragung' emphasizes the process of asking.
• Verhör/Vernehmung: Specific to the official/legal context, often associated with legal consequences. Stronger terms than 'Befragung'.
• Anfrage: A specific question or request for information, not necessarily a systematic survey.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Befragung'

Article Mnemonic (die)

Like many actions ending in '-ung' (like die Meinung - opinion, die Übung - exercise), Befragung is feminine. Remember: The action (-ung) of asking is 'die Befragung'.

Meaning Mnemonic

Think of the verb 'fragen' (to ask). A 'Be-frag-ung' is the process of 'be-ing asked' many 'fragen' (questions), whether in a survey or by the police. It's all about getting answers through asking.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out for these!

• Anfrage: (Inquiry, request) A single, specific question or request for information (e.g., eine Preisanfrage - price inquiry). A Befragung consists of many questions.
• Frage: (Question) The individual element within a Befragung.

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Fragt der Meinungsforscher einen Passanten: "Entschuldigen Sie, sind Sie für oder gegen Dummheit?"
Antwortet der Passant nach langem Überlegen: "Ach wissen Sie, da bin ich unentschlossen. Können Sie die Frage bei Ihrer nächsten Befragung nochmal stellen?"

EN: A pollster asks a passerby: "Excuse me, are you for or against stupidity?"
After thinking for a long time, the passerby answers: "Oh, you know, I'm undecided on that. Could you ask the question again in your next survey (Befragung)?"

✍️ Poem about 'Befragung'

DE:
Die Fragen fliegen, schnell und dicht,
erhellen manches Zwielicht.
Ob Umfrage, ob vor Gericht,
die Befragung bringt's ans Licht.

Man sucht nach Antwort, klar und rein,
will wissen, was mag wirklich sein.
Mit Stift und Block, mal grob, mal fein,
so schließt die Befragung den Kreis ein.

EN:
The questions fly, both fast and dense,
Illuminating some suspense.
Whether poll, or court's defense,
The questioning brings forth the sense.

They search for answers, clear and pure,
Wanting to know what is truly sure.
With pen and pad, rough or demure,
Thus the questioning makes all secure.

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

DE:
Ich stelle Fragen, viele an der Zahl,
mal mündlich, mal auf Papier, ganz pauschal.
Forscher nutzen mich, die Polizei auch,
um Wissen zu sammeln, das ist mein Brauch.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Befragung

EN:
I ask questions, many in number,
Sometimes spoken, sometimes on paper, without slumber.
Researchers use me, the police do too,
To gather knowledge, that's what I pursue.

What am I?

Solution: die Befragung (the questioning/survey)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition

The word 'Befragung' is composed of:

• The prefix be-: often used to make a verb transitive or intensify an action.
• The verb stem frag-: from the verb fragen (to ask).
• The suffix -ung: forms nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result. These nouns are always feminine in German.

Trivia

Befragungen (surveys/questionings) are a central tool in many disciplines, from sociology and psychology to criminology and market research. The methodology of conducting Befragungen (e.g., questionnaire design, interview techniques) is a field of study in itself.