die  Benachrichtigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈnaːχʁɪçtɪɡʊŋ/

📢 What exactly is a Benachrichtigung?

Die Benachrichtigung (noun, feminine) refers to a Mitteilung (message, communication) through which someone is informed about a specific matter. It essentially means the act of conveying a Nachricht (message) or Information (information) to one or more people.

At its core, it's about in Kenntnis setzen (informing someone).

• Digital World: Often a short alert on a smartphone, computer, or tablet (e.g., email arrival, app update, social media activity).
• Formal Context: Can also be an official letter or formal notice (e.g., from a Behörde - authority).
• Everyday Life: A brief note or verbal information can also be considered a Benachrichtigung.

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse die Benachrichtigung (the act of informing/the notification itself) with die Nachricht (the content of the message), although the terms are often used similarly.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: die Benachrichtigung

The word "Benachrichtigung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

Declension:

📝 Short Example Sentences

1. Ich habe eine Benachrichtigung über ein neues Software-Update erhalten.
   (I received a notification about a new software update.)
2. Der Empfang der Benachrichtigung muss schriftlich bestätigt werden.
   (Receipt of the notification must be confirmed in writing.)
3. Bitte schalten Sie während der Besprechung alle Benachrichtigungen auf Ihrem Handy aus.
   (Please turn off all notifications on your phone during the meeting.)
4. Dank deiner schnellen Benachrichtigung konnte ich den Termin noch wahrnehmen.
   (Thanks to your quick notification, I was still able to make the appointment.)

💬 How to use "Benachrichtigung"?

"Benachrichtigung" is a very common word, especially in the digital age and in formal contexts.

• Digital Communication: Push-Benachrichtigungen (push notifications), E-Mail-Benachrichtigungen (email notifications), SMS-Benachrichtigungen (SMS notifications) are everyday occurrences. Example: "Ich habe die Benachrichtigungen für diese App deaktiviert, sie waren zu nervig." (I deactivated the notifications for this app, they were too annoying.)
• Authorities & Companies: Official communications are often called Benachrichtigung. Example: "Sie erhalten in Kürze eine schriftliche Benachrichtigung über den Status Ihres Antrags." (You will shortly receive written notification about the status of your application.)
• Personal Context: Even informal communication can be called this if the informational aspect is emphasized. Example: "Danke für die Benachrichtigung, dass du später kommst." (Thanks for the notification that you'll be late.)

Comparison with similar words:

• Mitteilung: Often synonymous, but "Benachrichtigung" emphasizes informing about something specific, often new or important.
• Meldung: Can be shorter and more concise, often used in a news context (e.g., Eilmeldung - breaking news).
• Bescheid: Often more formal, a binding answer or information from an official body (e.g., Steuerbescheid - tax assessment notice).
• Hinweis: More like a non-binding piece of information or a tip.

🧠 Mnemonics for Benachrichtigung

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine. Think: The ending -ung makes the thing feminine! So it's die Benachrichtigung.

Meaning Mnemonic: "Benachrichtigung" contains "Nachricht" (message). A Be-Nachricht-igung brings you a message about something. Imagine your phone is giving you directions (richten) for a message (Nachricht) – it's benachrichtigen (notifying) you.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

🚨 Similar-sounding/Confusing Words:

• Nachricht (die): The content of the notification. Die Benachrichtigung enthält eine wichtige Nachricht. (The notification contains an important message.)
• Berichterstattung (die): More extensive reporting on events, often journalistic.

😂 A Little Joke

Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer E-Mail und einer Taube?

Antwort: Die Taube bringt vielleicht eine Nachricht, aber nur die E-Mail gibt dir 50 Benachrichtigungen, dass sie angekommen ist, gelesen wurde, beantwortet wird und dass Spam im Anflug ist!

(Question: What's the difference between an email and a pigeon?
Answer: The pigeon might bring a message, but only the email gives you 50 notifications that it has arrived, been read, is being replied to, and that spam is incoming!)

📜 Poem about Notification

Ein kleines Blinken, heller Schein,
die Welt schickt Botschaft zu dir rein.
Die Benachrichtigung, schnell und klar,
macht Neues, Wichtiges dir wahr.

Ob App, ob Mail, ob alter Brief,
was eben noch im Verborgnen schlief,
es meldet sich, gibt kurz Bescheid,
nimm dir fürs Lesen etwas Zeit.

(A little blink, a brighter gleam,
the world sends messages, it would seem.
The notification, quick and clear,
makes new, important things appear.)

(Be it app, or mail, or letter old,
what just lay dormant, brave and bold,
it makes itself known, gives brief reply,
take time to read it, by and by.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme oft, doch hab' kein Bein,
mal laut, mal leise, oft ganz klein.
Ich bringe Kunde, neu und frisch,
auf deinem Schirm, auf deinem Tisch.
Manchmal erwünscht, manchmal zur Last,
ich sage dir, was du verpasst.

Was bin ich?
(Auflösung: Die Benachrichtigung)

(I often come, but have no leg,
Sometimes loud, sometimes soft, often a small spec.
I bring tidings, new and fresh,
On your screen, upon your desk.
Sometimes wanted, sometimes a pain,
I tell you what you might miss again.)

(What am I?
Solution: The notification / die Benachrichtigung)

💡 Other Insights

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Benachrichtigung" is a typical example of German word formation:

• be-: A prefix often indicating an action performed on an object (providing someone or something with something/doing something to it).
• Nachricht: The base word, the message or piece of information.
• -ung: A suffix that turns verbs or nouns into feminine nouns, often denoting a process or its result (here: the process of notifying or the result, the notification itself).

So: be + Nachricht + ung = The act of delivering a message or the message itself.

Cultural Aspect: The flood of digital notifications is a modern phenomenon often discussed under terms like "Informationsüberflutung" (information overload) or "ständige Erreichbarkeit" (constant availability).