die  Bemerkung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈmɛʁkʊŋ/

🧐 What is a "Bemerkung"?

Die Bemerkung (noun, feminine) refers to a short oral or written statement, a note, a remark, or a comment on a specific topic or situation.

It's an expressed observation or opinion, often rather casual or supplementary. Depending on the context, a Bemerkung can be neutral, positive, critical, or even sarcastic.

• Example: Er machte eine spitze Bemerkung über ihr Kleid. (He made a sharp remark about her dress.)
• Example: Ihre Bemerkung zum Projekt war sehr hilfreich. (Her comment on the project was very helpful.)

🚨 The word is always feminine; there are no other articles or meanings associated with a different article.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar: "Die Bemerkung" in Detail

The noun "Bemerkung" is feminine. The article is always die.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Seine Bemerkung traf mich unerwartet. (His remark caught me unexpectedly.)
2. Der Inhalt der Bemerkung war unklar. (The content of the remark was unclear.)
3. Ich stimme der Bemerkung nicht zu. (I do not agree with the remark.)
4. Ich habe die Bemerkung überhört. (I ignored/didn't hear the remark.)
5. Die Bemerkungen der Kritiker waren vernichtend. (The critics' remarks were devastating.)
6. Trotz der vielen Bemerkungen änderte er nichts. (Despite the many remarks, he changed nothing.)
7. Er schenkte den Bemerkungen keine Beachtung. (He paid no attention to the remarks.)
8. Sie notierte sich alle Bemerkungen. (She noted down all the remarks.)

🗣️ How to Use "Bemerkung"?

"Bemerkung" is used in various contexts:

• Everyday communication: A casual statement or observation. (e.g., "Eine kurze Bemerkung am Rande: ..." - "A quick side note: ...")
• Discussions/Meetings: A contribution or note on a topic. (e.g., "Darf ich dazu eine Bemerkung machen?" - "May I make a comment on that?")
• Feedback/Criticism: An evaluative statement, which can be positive or negative. (e.g., "Seine kritischen Bemerkungen waren nicht hilfreich." - "His critical remarks were not helpful.")
• Written context: A note in a text, often as a footnote or marginal note (here, "Anmerkung" is also frequently used).

Comparison with Similar Words

• Anmerkung: Often written, more detailed or explanatory than a mere Bemerkung. Can also be used synonymously.
• Kommentar: Usually a more detailed expression of opinion or statement than a Bemerkung.
• Äußerung: A general term for anything said or written. A Bemerkung is a specific type of Äußerung.
• Hinweis: Often aims to draw attention to something or provide information.

The nuances are sometimes subtle, but a "Bemerkung" is often shorter and more spontaneous than a "Kommentar" or a detailed "Anmerkung".

🧠 Mnemonics for "Bemerkung"

1. Article Mnemonic (die)

   Remember: Feminine nouns often end in "-ung" (like Meinung, Übung, Haltung). Therefore, it's die Bemerkung. Picture a nice lady (die Dame) making die decisive Bemerkung.

2. Meaning Mnemonic

   Be-merk-ung: You notice (merken) something, and then you state it as a Bemerkung (remark). It's a small statement (Äußerung). Think of it like 'making a mark' with your words.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Bemerkung

⚠️ Potential for Confusion

While similar, the nuance matters:

• Beobachtung: (observation) The act of noticing, not necessarily expressed yet. A Bemerkung is often the verbal form of a Beobachtung.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Wer kann mir einen Satz mit 'Bemerkung' bilden?"
Fritzchen: "Wenn ich morgens aufwache, bemerkung ich als Erstes, dass ich noch im Bett liege!"
Lehrer: "Fritzchen, das war jetzt aber eine sehr *bemerkenswerte* Bemerkung..."

Translation:
Teacher: "Who can form a sentence with 'Bemerkung'?"
Little Fritz: "When I wake up in the morning, the first thing 'bemerkung' is that I'm still in bed!" (Wordplay using 'bemerkung' incorrectly as a verb similar to 'bemerken')
Teacher: "Fritz, that was quite a *remarkable* remark..."

📜 Poem about "Bemerkung"

Ein Wort, ganz kurz, oft hingeworfen leicht,
die Bemerkung, die das Schweigen bricht.
Mal spitz, mal nett, mal tief, mal seicht,
verändert sie die Sicht.

Man merkt sich was, im Geist, im Sinn,
und gibt es kund, als kleiner Kommentar.
So fliegt sie hin, die Bemerkung, mittendrin,
macht manches klar, stellt manches dar.

Translation:
A word, quite short, often tossed lightly,
the remark, that breaks the silence.
Sometimes sharp, sometimes nice, sometimes deep, sometimes shallow,
it changes the perspective.

One notices something, in mind, in sense,
and makes it known, as a small comment.
So it flies, the remark, right in the middle,
makes some things clear, presents some things.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin eine Äußerung, kurz und knapp,
manchmal ein Hinweis, manchmal ein Klapp.
Ich entstehe im Kopf, wenn man etwas merkt,
und werde gesagt, oft ganz unbeschwert.
Ich trage den Artikel "die", das ist fein.
Was kann ich nur sein?

Translation:
I am a statement, short and sweet,
Sometimes a hint, sometimes a feat.
I form in the head when something's noted,
And am often said quite light-hearted.
I carry the article "die", that's neat.
What can I possibly be?

Solution: die Bemerkung (the remark)

💡 Other Information about "Bemerkung"

Word Formation

The word "Bemerkung" is composed of:

• Prefix "be-": often intensifying or directional
• Stem verb "merken": to notice, to realize, to remember
• Suffix "-ung": forms feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result

Related is the verb "bemerken" (to notice, to remark).

Frequency

"Bemerkung" is a commonly used word in the German language, both in spoken and written contexts.