die  Befriedigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈfʁiːdɪɡʊŋ/

🎯 What Exactly is Befriedigung?

Die Befriedigung (feminine noun, plural: die Befriedigungen) describes a state or feeling of satisfaction that occurs when a need, desire, or demand is met. It can refer to various areas:

• Emotional/Psychological Satisfaction: The feeling of inner contentment, gratification, or fulfillment (e.g., after passing an exam, engaging in a creative activity).
• Physical Satisfaction: The satiation of bodily needs (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual needs).
• Material/Financial Satisfaction: The fulfillment of claims or demands, often in a legal or economic context (e.g., the satisfaction of a creditor by payment of debts).

It's an abstract noun describing a positive final state after tension or lack.

🚨 Remember: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine, so it's die Befriedigung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Befriedigung

The word "Befriedigung" is a feminine noun. As a rule of thumb, nouns ending in -ung are feminine.

Example Sentences:

1. Die Befriedigung nach getaner Arbeit war groß.
   (The satisfaction after finished work was great.)
2. Er handelte nur zur Befriedigung seiner eigenen Bedürfnisse.
   (He acted only for the satisfaction of his own needs.)
3. Sie strebte nach tiefer innerer Befriedigung.
   (She strove for deep inner satisfaction.)
4. Er fand große Befriedigung in seiner ehrenamtlichen Tätigkeit.
   (He found great satisfaction in his volunteer work.)
5. Die sofortige Befriedigung aller Wünsche ist nicht immer möglich.
   (The immediate satisfaction of all desires is not always possible.)
6. Die Befriedigungen des Alltags sind oft klein, aber wichtig.
   (The satisfactions of everyday life are often small but important.)

💡 How to Use Befriedigung?

"Befriedigung" is often used to describe a feeling of completion or fulfillment.

• In everyday life: People often talk about the Befriedigung after eating, after sports, or after solving a problem. E.g.: "Ein kaltes Getränk brachte ihm sofortige Befriedigung." (A cold drink brought him immediate satisfaction.)
• In a psychological context: It relates to the Befriedigung of basic needs, desires, or drives. E.g.: "Die Theorie untersucht die Befriedigung psychologischer Bedürfnisse." (The theory examines the satisfaction of psychological needs.)
• In a legal/economic context: It refers to the fulfillment of a claim or liability. E.g.: "Die Befriedigung der Gläubiger hat Vorrang." (The satisfaction of the creditors takes precedence.) Here, it often sounds more formal.

Distinction from similar words:

• Zufriedenheit (contentment): Often a more lasting, general state of well-being, whereas Befriedigung tends to describe the more short-term feeling after fulfilling a specific need.
• Erfüllung (fulfillment): Can be used similarly to Befriedigung, but often emphasizes achieving a goal or realizing potential more strongly, especially in an existential sense ("berufliche Erfüllung" - professional fulfillment).
• Genugtuung (gratification/vindication): Often includes a component of justice or compensation for suffered injustice or effort.

🧠 Memory Aids for Befriedigung

Article Mnemonic (die): Words ending in -ung are like a long queue (Schlange) – they are feminine and need 'die' to lead them! Think of: die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution), die Hoffnung (hope)... and of course, die Befriedigung.

Meaning Mnemonic: "Befriedigung" contains "Frieden" (peace). When a need is met, inner peace prevails. No more restlessness, but calm and peace = Befriedigung (satisfaction).

🔄 Opposites and Synonyms

⚠️ Caution: Although similar, nuances matter. "Befriedigung" can sometimes imply an almost neutral fulfillment of a necessity (e.g., satisfying creditors), while "Zufriedenheit" is usually positively emotionally charged.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, was ist die höchste Form der Befriedigung?"
Fritzchen überlegt kurz und sagt: "Wenn man nach drei Stunden Mathe endlich die Klingel zur Pause hört!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, what is the highest form of satisfaction?"
Fritzchen thinks for a moment and says: "When, after three hours of math, you finally hear the bell for the break!"

📜 A Little Poem

Ein Wunsch, der nagt, ein leeres Feld,
Ein Durst, der durch die Seele gellt.
Dann kommt der Moment, ersehnt, vollbracht,
Das Ziel erreicht bei Tag und Nacht.

Ein Seufzer tief, die Last vergeht,
Ein Lächeln nun im Antlitz steht.
Was Mangel war, ist nun gefüllt,
Die Befriedigung sanft enthüllt.

Translation:
A wish that gnaws, an empty field,
A thirst that echoes through the soul.
Then comes the moment, longed-for, sealed,
The goal achieved, making one whole.

A sigh so deep, the burden flown,
A smile now shown upon the face.
What once was lack, is now outgrown,
Satisfaction revealed with grace.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich komme, wenn ein Wunsch sich stillt,
Wenn Hunger, Durst, ein Plan erfüllt.
Ich bin das Ende vom Verlangen,
Hab oft mit Frieden angefangen.

Mal kurz, mal lang kann ich verweilen,
Manchmal muss man mich auch teilen (wie beim Zahlen von Schulden).

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I come when a wish is quieted,
When hunger, thirst, a plan's requited.
I am the end of wanting more,
Often starting with peace (Frieden) at my core.

Sometimes short, sometimes long I stay,
Sometimes you must share me (like when debts you pay).

What am I?
(Solution: die Befriedigung / satisfaction)

ℹ️ Trivia

Word Formation:

The word "Befriedigung" is composed of:

• Prefix be-: Often intensifying or directed towards an object.
• Root word Frieden: Peace, state of calm, harmony.
• Suffix -ung: Forms nouns from verbs (here from "befriedigen" - to satisfy) and often denotes a process or its result.

It derives from the verb befriedigen, which means to satisfy someone's needs or demands, or to appease someone.

Cultural Aspect: The pursuit of Befriedigung (satisfaction) is a central theme in psychology (e.g., Maslow's hierarchy of needs), philosophy, and everyday life.