die  Berechtigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʁɛçtɪɡʊŋ/

📜 What is 'die Berechtigung'?

Die Berechtigung (feminine noun, plural: die Berechtigungen) has several related meanings:

• Authorization or Permission: The right or permission to do, have, or use something specific. Often used in the context of access to systems, places, or information (e.g., eine Zugangsberechtigung - an access permit).
• Entitlement or Claim: A justified claim to something (e.g., die Berechtigung auf Sozialleistungen - the entitlement to social benefits).
• Justification or Legitimacy: The reason or justification for something; the basis on which something is considered right or appropriate (e.g., Die Frage hat ihre Berechtigung. - The question has its justification/is valid.).

⚠️ Remember: It's always die Berechtigung. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: die Berechtigung

The noun Berechtigung is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Quick Examples for Berechtigung

1. Ohne die richtige Berechtigung kommt man hier nicht rein.
   (Without the correct authorization, you can't get in here.)
2. Die Berechtigung seiner Kritik war offensichtlich.
   (The justification for his criticism was obvious.)
3. Wir prüfen Ihre Berechtigung auf Wohngeld.
   (We are checking your entitlement to housing benefit.)
4. Das System verwaltet verschiedene Berechtigungen für Benutzer.
   (The system manages various permissions for users.)

💡 Everyday Usage

Die Berechtigung is often used in formal or official contexts:

• Technology & IT: Access rights for software, databases, or networks (e.g., Leseberechtigung - read permission, Schreibberechtigung - write permission).
• Administration & Law: Entitlement to benefits, permits, powers of attorney (e.g., Aufenthaltsberechtigung - residence permit, Wahlberechtigung - right to vote).
• Profession: Powers or qualifications required for certain activities (e.g., Lehrberechtigung - teaching license).
• General: Justification for an action, question, or statement (e.g., Seine Frage hatte durchaus ihre Berechtigung. - His question was certainly justified.).

Distinction from similar words:

• Erlaubnis (permission): Often more informal than *Berechtigung*, usually refers to a specific action.
• Genehmigung (approval, permit): Formal, official consent, often in writing.
• Rechtfertigung (justification): Focuses more strongly on the reasoning or grounds for something.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die) in German. Think of die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution), die Änderung (change)... and, of course, die Berechtigung. It's a very reliable rule!

Meaning Mnemonic: Berechtigung contains the word Recht, which means right or law. A *Berechtigung* gives you the right to do or have something.

↔️ Antonyms and Synonyms for Berechtigung

🚨 Caution: Not all synonyms are interchangeable in every context. You can talk about the *Berechtigung (justification)* of a question, but not its *Erlaubnis (permission)*.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie die Berechtigung, diesen Computer zu benutzen?"
Der Mitarbeiter: "Ich dachte, dafür braucht man ein Passwort?"

(The boss asks the new employee: "Do you have the authorization to use this computer?"
The employee: "I thought you needed a password for that?")

✍️ A Poem about Berechtigung

Im Leben, groß und klein,
will man oft woanders sein.
Doch Tür und Tor, sie bleiben fest,
wenn man nicht die Berechtigung hätt'.

Ein Recht, ein Schein, ein Passwort klar,
macht den Zugang wunderbar.
Ob Amt, ob Club, ob Datenbank,
ohne sie sitzt man auf der Bank.

(In life, both big and small,
one often wishes to be elsewhere.
But door and gate, they remain firm,
if one doesn't have the authorization.)

(A right, a paper, a password clear,
makes access wonderfully appear.
Be it office, club, or database,
without it, you're stuck in your place.)

🧩 A Little Riddle

Ich gebe dir das Recht,
doch bin kein Richter schlecht.
Ich öffne manche Tür,
doch bin kein Schlüssel schier.
Ich sage, was dir zusteht,
bevor der Anspruch untergeht.

Was bin ich?

(I give you the right,
but am no judge bad.
I open many a door,
but am no simple key.
I state what you're entitled to,
before the claim falls through.)

(What am I?)

Solution: die Berechtigung (authorization/entitlement/justification)

ℹ️ Additional Information

Word Formation:

The word Berechtigung is formed by adding the suffix -ung to the verb berechtigen.

• berechtigen: to authorize, to entitle, to permit.
• -ung: A common suffix used to form feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result.

Related Words:

• berechtigt (adjective): authorized, entitled, justified. (Deine Sorge ist berechtigt. - Your concern is justified.)
• unberechtigt (adjective): unauthorized, unjustified. (Der Zutritt ist Unberechtigten verboten. - Access is forbidden for unauthorized persons.)
• der/die Berechtigte: authorized person, entitled person.