die  Beitrittserklärung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbaɪtʁɪtsʔɛɐ̯ˌklɛːʁʊŋ/

📜 What Exactly is a Beitrittserklärung?

The German noun Beitrittserklärung (feminine, article: die) is a formal, written document used by a person or entity to declare their intention to join another organization, club, association, political party, alliance, or treaty. Essentially, it's an official application for membership or accession.

Imagine wanting to join a sports club (Sportverein). You fill out a form – that form is the Beitrittserklärung. With it, you officially state: "Yes, I want to become a member!"

Because the word ends in "-ung", a common feminine suffix in German, its article is die. There are no other articles or meanings associated with this specific word. 🥳

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Beitrittserklärung

The noun "Beitrittserklärung" is feminine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Bitte füllen Sie die Beitrittserklärung vollständig aus und unterschreiben Sie sie.
   (Please fill out the membership application completely and sign it.)
2. Der Vorstand prüft jede eingegangene Beitrittserklärung sorgfältig.
   (The board carefully reviews every received membership application.)
3. Ohne eine gültige Beitrittserklärung ist eine Mitgliedschaft nicht möglich.
   (Membership is not possible without a valid declaration of accession.)
4. Die Beitrittserklärungen der neuen Mitglieder liegen zur Akteneinsicht bereit.
   (The membership applications of the new members are available for inspection.)

✍️ When and How to Use Beitrittserklärung

Die Beitrittserklärung is a term used in formal contexts, particularly when dealing with:

• Clubs (Vereine) - e.g., sports clubs, cultural associations
• Associations and Organizations (Verbände und Organisationen)
• Political Parties (Politische Parteien)
• Cooperatives (Genossenschaften)
• Occasionally for international agreements or organizations (e.g., a state's accession to the EU, although more specific terms like "Beitrittsantrag" (accession application) or "Beitrittsakte" (act of accession) are often used here).

It typically refers to a standardized form that collects important data from the applicant (name, address, date of birth, etc.) and often includes a confirmation that the applicant accepts the statutes or rules of the organization.

Important: A Beitrittserklärung is more than just an expression of interest; it's a legally relevant application that, upon acceptance by the organization, leads to membership.

In everyday, informal conversation, you might rather say: "Ich will dem Verein beitreten" (I want to join the club) or "Ich habe mich angemeldet" (I have registered/signed up).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine. Think of "die Erklärung" (the declaration/explanation) – this helps you remember die Beitrittserklärung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you want to step by someone's side to join them (bei-treten = to join/accede) and you have to declare (Erklärung = declaration) this officially in writing. That's your Beitrittserklärung – your formal "I want in!".

↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms

Watch Out – Similar Words:

• Beitritt (der): (Accession, joining) - Refers to the act of joining itself, not the document. (e.g., "Der Beitritt zum Verein erfolgte letzte Woche." - The joining of the club took place last week.)
• Erklärung (die): (Declaration, explanation, statement) - A general term for a statement, not specific to joining.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Bleistift die Beitrittserklärung für den Radiergummi-Verein nicht unterschrieben?

Er hatte Angst, dass seine Mitgliedschaft jeden Moment wieder ausradiert wird! ✏️💨

--- Translation ---

Why didn't the pencil sign the membership application for the eraser club?

He was afraid his membership would be erased at any moment!

✒️ A Little Poem

Ein Formular, recht lang und schlicht,
erfüllt 'ne wichtige Pflicht.
Wer Teil sein will, es füllt schnell aus,
für Club, Partei, fürs große Haus.
Mit Namen, Datum, fix zur Hand,
ist's unterschrieben und gesandt.
Die Beitrittserklärung, klar und rein,
lässt dich bald Mitglied sein.

--- Translation ---

A form, quite long and plain,
Fulfills an important domain.
Who wants to join, fills it out fast,
For club, or party, built to last.
With name and date, ready at hand,
It's signed and sent across the land.
The declaration to join, clear and keen,
Lets you soon be part of the scene.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Papier, doch kein Brief von weit her.
Ich öffne dir Türen, das ist gar nicht schwer.
Willst du in den Club oder die Partei,
brauchst du meine Zeilen, sei schnell mit dabei!
Ich bin der erste Schritt, ganz offiziell,
sag mir deinen Namen, komm, sag ihn schnell!

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Beitrittserklärung

--- Translation ---

I am a paper, but no letter from afar.
I open doors for you, it's not very hard.
If you want into the club or the party fray,
You need my lines, be quick, don't delay!
I am the first step, quite official and grand,
Tell me your name, come on, lend me a hand!

What am I?

Answer: die Beitrittserklärung (the declaration of accession / membership application)

🧩 Word Building Blocks and Trivia

Word Composition:

The word "Beitrittserklärung" is a compound noun, formed from:

• der Beitritt: (the accession, the joining) - Derived from bei (by, with) + treten (to step, tread).
• -s-: A linking 's' (Fugen-s) connecting the parts.
• die Erklärung: (the declaration, the statement, the explanation) - Derived from erklären (to declare, explain).

So, it literally means a "declaration of joining".

Context: Primarily used in administrative, legal, or organizational settings. Rarely heard in casual, everyday conversation.