die  Belieferung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈliːfɐʁʊŋ/

📦 What Exactly Does "die Belieferung" Mean?

Die Belieferung is a noun referring to the process or result of supplying someone (beliefern). It essentially means delivery, supply, or the act of providing goods or services to someone, often a customer or another business.

It's a key term in contexts like commerce (Handel), logistics (Logistik), and services (Dienstleistungen).

The word is directly derived from the verb beliefern (to supply, to deliver to).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Belieferung" in Detail

"Belieferung" is a feminine noun, hence it always uses the article die. Like many German nouns ending in -ung, it's feminine. This is a very reliable rule!

Declension:

The plural ("die Belieferungen") is used less frequently but is possible when referring to multiple specific delivery events. Plural declension follows the regular pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ung:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die pünktliche Belieferung der Kunden hat oberste Priorität.
   (The punctual delivery to the customers has top priority.)
2. Wegen des Streiks gab es Probleme bei der Belieferung mit Rohstoffen.
   (Due to the strike, there were problems with the supply of raw materials.)
3. Wir müssen die Effizienz unserer Belieferung verbessern.
   (We need to improve the efficiency of our deliveries/supply process.)
4. Die Firma dankt für die jahrelange zuverlässige Belieferung.
   (The company gives thanks for the years of reliable supply.)

💡 How and When to Use "die Belieferung"?

"Die Belieferung" is mainly used in formal or business contexts. It refers to the process of delivering goods or services to a recipient.

• Commerce & Logistics: The word is central here. It describes the entire process from order to delivery to the customer or business partner. Example: "Die Belieferung des Supermarktes erfolgt täglich." (The supermarket is supplied daily.)
• Services: Sometimes used for the provision of services, e.g., supply of electricity or data. Example: "Die Belieferung mit schnellem Internet ist in dieser Region noch lückenhaft." (The supply of fast internet is still patchy in this region.)
• Difference from "Lieferung": "Lieferung" often refers to the specific shipment of goods or the act of handing them over. "Belieferung" tends to emphasize the ongoing process or the business relationship of supplying. However, they are sometimes used interchangeably. "Belieferung" often sounds slightly more formal or comprehensive.

⚠️ Avoid using "Belieferung" in very informal situations, like giving a gift to a friend – words like "Übergabe" (handover) or "Schenken" (giving) would be more appropriate.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Belieferung"

For the article "die": Remember the ending "-ung" almost always signals a feminine noun in German. Think of other "-ung" words like die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Übung (the exercise)... and die Belieferung. They all belong to the 'die' club!

For the meaning: Imagine someone is delivering (liefern) something *to* you or *at* your place ('bei' in German can mean 'at'). This 'bei'-liefern or 'be'-liefern action is the Belieferung – the act of supplying.

🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Watch Out for Similar Words

• Bestellung: (Order) - This is the request for delivery, not the delivery itself. Die Belieferung follows die Bestellung.
• Lieferant: (Supplier) - The person or company that delivers/supplies, not the process.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Lieferfahrer gekündigt?
Er fühlte sich ständig unter Belieferungs-Druck!

(Why did the delivery driver quit?
He constantly felt under delivery pressure! - A pun on "Lieferdruck" meaning delivery pressure and sounding similar to "Belieferungs-Druck")

✒️ Poem about Belieferung

Der Laster rollt, die Ware schwer,
bringt Güter von weit her.
Die Belieferung, pünktlich, schnell,
erreicht das Ziel, ganz aktuell.
Regale füllen sich im Nu,
dank fleiß'ger Hände immerzu.

(The truck rolls, the goods are heavy,
bringing items from afar.
The supply/delivery, punctual, fast,
reaches the goal, right up-to-date.
Shelves fill up in a flash,
thanks to diligent hands, always.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Prozess, kein fester Ort,
bring Waren fort, an manchen Hort.
Von A nach B, oft per Vertrag,
geschätzter Dienst, Tag für Tag.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Belieferung)

(I am a process, not a fixed place,
I bring goods forth, to some safe space.
From A to B, often by contract bound,
A valued service, all year round.

What am I?
Answer: die Belieferung / the supply/delivery process)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Belieferung" is composed of:

• The prefix be-: This prefix often turns intransitive verbs into transitive ones (doing something -> doing something to someone/something) or intensifies the action. Here, it turns "liefern" (to deliver something) into "beliefern" (to supply someone/something with something).
• The verb stem liefer-: From the verb "liefern" (to deliver).
• The suffix -ung: This ending forms nouns from verbs, usually denoting the process or result of the action. It makes the noun feminine (die).

Contextual Importance: The reliability and punctuality of die Belieferung are crucial factors for customer satisfaction and the success of businesses in trade and manufacturing (e.g., Just-in-Time-Belieferung - just-in-time delivery).