die  Bekämpfung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈkɛmpfʊŋ/

🎯 What exactly is 'Bekämpfung'?

Die Bekämpfung (feminine, plural: die Bekämpfungen) refers to the active process or measure of fighting, combating, controlling, or eliminating something undesirable, harmful, or dangerous. It is the noun derived from the verb bekämpfen (to fight, to combat).

Typical areas of application include:

• Diseases: die Bekämpfung of epidemics, viruses, or cancer.
• Pests: die Bekämpfung of insects, rodents, or weeds.
• Crime: die Bekämpfung of crime, corruption, or terrorism.
• Social Issues: die Bekämpfung of poverty, inequality, or discrimination.
• Fire: die Bekämpfung of a fire (Brandbekämpfung - firefighting).

🚨 Important: The word usually implies something negative that needs to be fought against.

💡 Helpful rule: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die) in German. This applies to Bekämpfung!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Bekämpfung

Die Bekämpfung is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

The plural die Bekämpfungen is used less frequently but is grammatically correct, especially when referring to different types or instances of combating efforts.

Example Sentences

1. Die Bekämpfung der Pandemie erfordert globale Zusammenarbeit.
   (The combating of the pandemic requires global cooperation.)
2. Die Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung der Arbeitslosigkeit zeigen erste Erfolge.
   (The measures for combating unemployment are showing initial success.)
3. Er widmete sein Leben der Bekämpfung von Ungerechtigkeit.
   (He dedicated his life to the combating of injustice.)
4. Wir benötigen eine effektive Strategie für die Bekämpfung des Klimawandels.
   (We need an effective strategy for the combating of climate change.)
5. Verschiedene Bekämpfungen von Schädlingen wurden diskutiert.
   (Various methods of pest control/combating pests were discussed.)

💬 How to Use 'Bekämpfung'

Die Bekämpfung is often used in formal contexts, such as news reports, official documents, scientific texts, or political discussions.

Typical Phrases:

• Die Bekämpfung von + [Problem in Genitive or Dativ with 'von']: Die Bekämpfung des Terrorismus (The combating of terrorism) or Die Bekämpfung von Armut (The combating of poverty).
• Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung von + [Problem]: Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung von Kriminalität (Measures for combating crime).
• Etwas dient der Bekämpfung von + [Problem]: Diese Impfung dient der Bekämpfung der Grippe (This vaccination serves to combat the flu).

Distinction from similar words:

• Kampf (der): Der Kampf (the fight, battle, struggle) is more general and can also refer to a sports competition or a personal struggle. Die Bekämpfung is specifically focused on eliminating a problem.
• Abwehr (die): Die Abwehr (the defense, resistance) emphasizes preventing or repelling an attack or danger (e.g., Immunabwehr - immune defense). Bekämpfung implies more active intervention against something already existing.
• Kontrolle (die): Die Kontrolle (the control) can be part of Bekämpfung, but focuses more on management and containment rather than complete elimination (e.g., Schädlingskontrolle - pest control).

One usually speaks of die Bekämpfung einer Krankheit (combating a disease) when referring to organized measures, although der Kampf gegen eine Krankheit (the fight against a disease) is also possible and common.

🧠 Mnemonics for Bekämpfung

Mnemonic for the Article (die):

Remember: Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine and take "die". Think of die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Lösung (solution)... and also die Bekämpfung! The "-ung" ending is your feminine helper for the article. Like a strong woman leading the fight! 💪

Mnemonic for the Meaning (Combating):

Think of the English word "campaign" used to fight for or against something. Inside 'Bekämpfung' you find 'kämpf', which sounds like 'camp'. A 'Bekämpfung' is like a focused campaign (-ung action) to beat something bad (a disease 🦠, a pest 🐛). It's an organized fight.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful with similar words:

• Kampf (der): Fight, struggle, battle. Broader term, can be neutral or positive (competition).
• Gefecht (das): Combat, skirmish. Usually military, a single act of fighting.

😄 A Little Joke

Arzt: "Haben Sie etwas zur Bekämpfung Ihrer Erkältung unternommen?"
Patient: "Ja, ich habe ihr gedroht, dass ich die Heizung noch höher drehe!"

Translation:

Doctor: "Have you done anything for combating your cold?"
Patient: "Yes, I threatened it that I'll turn the heating up even higher!"

📜 Poem about Bekämpfung

Ob Schädling, Seuche oder Streit,
Die Bekämpfung steht bereit.
Mit Plan, mit Mut und klarer Sicht,
dass das Problem zusammenbricht.

Gegen Armut, Hass und Not,
ist sie das dringendste Gebot.
Ein steter Einsatz, Tag für Tag,
was immer kommen mag.

Translation:

Whether pest, plague, or strife,
The combating is ready for life.
With plan, with courage, and clear sight,
So that the problem breaks its might.

Against poverty, hate, and need,
It is the most urgent creed.
A steady effort, day by day,
Whatever may come our way.

🧩 Who or What am I?

Ich bin ein Prozess, oft lang und schwer,
gegen Unrecht, Krankheit oder mehr.
Ich brauche Mittel, Mut und Kraft,
und werde meist als 'die' beschafft.
Mein Ziel ist klar: das Übel muss weg,
ich bin die ...?

Lösung: die Bekämpfung

Translation & Clues:

I am a process, often long and hard,
Against injustice, illness, things we discard.
I need resources, courage, and might,
And my German article makes things right ('die').
My goal is clear: the evil must cease,
I am the ...?

Answer: die Bekämpfung (the combating / fighting)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

Die Bekämpfung is a noun derived from the verb bekämpfen (to combat). The verb itself is composed of:

• Prefix be-: Often intensifying or directed towards an object (to fight something).
• Stem verb kämpfen: To fight, struggle for or against something.
• Suffix -ung: Forms a noun from the verb, denoting the process or result of the action. Makes the noun feminine (die).

Cultural Context:

The term plays a significant role in many societal areas in Germany, from public health policy (e.g., Seuchenbekämpfung - epidemic control) and crime prevention to environmental protection (e.g., Schädlingsbekämpfung - pest control). The effectiveness and ethics of various methods of Bekämpfung are often subjects of public debate.