die  Berufung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʁuːfʊŋ/

📜 What does "die Berufung" mean?

The word die Berufung has several meanings:

• Inner calling / Vocation: This describes an activity or task one feels strongly drawn to, often perceived as one's purpose in life. It's more than just a job. Example: Becoming a teacher was his Berufung (calling).
• Legal appeal: In a legal context, die Berufung is a legal remedy used to have a judgment from a lower court reviewed by a higher court. Example: The defendant filed a Berufung (appeal) against the verdict.
• Appointment / Summons (less common): Historically or in specific contexts, it can also mean the appointment or call to an office or position. Example: The Berufung (appointment) to the professorship at the university.

⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "die Berufung"

Die Berufung is a feminine noun. The plural is die Berufungen.

Declension

Example Sentences

1. (Bestimmung) Sie fand ihre Berufung in der Altenpflege.
   (She found her calling in elderly care.)
2. (Rechtsmittel) Die Staatsanwaltschaft legte Berufung gegen den Freispruch ein.
   (The prosecution filed an appeal against the acquittal.)
3. (Ernennung) Seine Berufung an die renommierte Fakultät war eine große Ehre.
   (His appointment to the renowned faculty was a great honor.)

🗣️ How to use "die Berufung"?

The usage of die Berufung depends heavily on the context:

• Professional/Personal Calling: This refers to a deep inner conviction and passion for an activity. It differs from der Beruf (job, profession), which is more neutral. One can have a Beruf without feeling it's their Berufung. Phrases like "seine Berufung finden/leben" (to find/live one's calling) are typical.
• Legal Appeal: This term is specific to the legal system. One talks about "Berufung einlegen" (to file an appeal) or that a "Berufung stattgegeben/abgewiesen wird" (appeal is granted/rejected).
• Appointment to an Office: This is mostly used in academic or ecclesiastical environments (e.g., Berufung auf einen Lehrstuhl - appointment to a chair/professorship).

It tends to be a more formal or elevated word, except in the legal context where it's a standard technical term.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Berufung"

1. Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Think of other -ung words you know: die Übung (the exercise), die Meinung (the opinion), die Hoffnung (the hope), and thus die Berufung.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains "rufen" (to call). Imagine:
   • Someone is being called (gerufen) from within to do something (inner calling/vocation - Berufung).
   • Someone is calling (ruft an) upon a higher court (legal appeal - Berufung).
   • Someone is called (gerufen) to an office (appointment - Berufung).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but potentially misleading words:

• Der Beruf: Generally refers to an occupation or profession, not necessarily with the deeper meaning of a calling.

😂 A Joke about Berufung

Richter: "Sie haben gegen das Urteil Berufung eingelegt. Was ist Ihr Grund?"
Angeklagter: "Nun, Herr Richter, ich dachte, wenn ich schon verurteilt werde, dann möchte ich wenigstens eine zweite Meinung einholen!"

Translation:
Judge: "You filed an appeal against the verdict. What is your reason?"
Defendant: "Well, Your Honor, I figured if I'm going to be convicted anyway, I might as well get a second opinion!"

✍️ Poem about die Berufung

Ein Ruf, ganz leis', tief in dir drin,
zeigt dir den Weg, den wahren Sinn.
Nicht nur ein Job, für Lohn und Geld,
das, was dich wirklich hält.

Manch einer ficht vor dem Gericht,
hofft auf ein milderes Gewicht.
Er legt sie ein, mit Mut und Kraft,
die Berufung, die vielleicht was schafft.

Ob Lebenswerk, ob Recht im Streit,
Die Berufung prägt die Lebenszeit.

Translation:
A call, so soft, deep inside,
shows you the path, the true guide.
Not just a job, for pay and keep,
That which holds you, truly deep.

Some fight their case before the court,
Hoping for a milder sort
Of judgment. They file it, bold and fast,
The appeal (Berufung), hoping it might last.

Be it life's work, or legal fight,
Die Berufung shapes your life's own light.

❓ Riddle

Ich kann ein Gefühl sein, tief und stark,
für eine Arbeit, einen Lebenspark.
Ich kann ein Weg sein, vor Gericht zu geh'n,
um ein Urteil neu zu übersteh'n.
Ich trage stets 'die' vor mir her,
sag, wer bin ich, bitte sehr?

Translation:
I can be a feeling, deep and strong,
For a job, a life park, where you belong.
I can be a way, to court you go,
To challenge a verdict, make it so.
I always carry 'die' before my name,
Tell me, who am I, what's my game?

Solution: Die Berufung (The calling / The appeal)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word Berufung is derived from the verb berufen.

• be-: Prefix
• rufen: Verb (to call)
• -ung: Suffix used to form feminine nouns, often indicating a process or its result.

The basic meaning of "to call" (rufen) is reflected in all meanings: the inner call (vocation), calling upon a higher court (legal appeal), the call to an office (appointment).