die  Besprechung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʃpʁeːʊŋ/

🗣️ What does "die Besprechung" mean?

The noun die Besprechung is feminine (it uses the article 'die') and generally refers to a gathering of people to discuss a specific topic or problem. It can take several forms:

• Meeting/Session: A formal or informal gathering, often in a professional context, to make decisions, exchange information, or make plans (e.g., Teambesprechung - team meeting, Projektbesprechung - project meeting).
• Discussion/Debate: A conversation where different opinions or aspects of a topic are examined.
• Review/Critique: An assessment or analysis of a work, such as a book, film, or play (e.g., Buchbesprechung - book review, Filmbesprechung - film review).

🚨 The word almost exclusively uses the article "die" because it's derived from the verb "besprechen" (to discuss), and the suffix "-ung" typically forms feminine nouns in German.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar Spotlight: The Declension

"Die Besprechung" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die morgige Besprechung beginnt um 9 Uhr.
   (Tomorrow's meeting starts at 9 o'clock.)
2. Das Protokoll der letzten Besprechung liegt noch nicht vor.
   (The minutes of the last meeting are not yet available.)
3. Wir müssen uns auf die kommende Besprechung gut vorbereiten.
   (We need to prepare well for the upcoming meeting.)
4. In den letzten Besprechungen haben wir große Fortschritte gemacht.
   (We made great progress in the last meetings.)
5. Alle wichtigen Besprechungen finden diese Woche statt.
   (All important meetings are taking place this week.)

💬 When and how to use "Besprechung"?

The term die Besprechung is very common, especially in professional and cultural contexts.

• Professional Context: Here, "Besprechung" is the standard word for meetings of all kinds: Teambesprechung, Projektbesprechung, Kundenbesprechung (client meeting), Strategiebesprechung (strategy meeting). It often sounds slightly more formal than the English loanword "Meeting", but they are often used interchangeably. Compared to "Sitzung" (session, formal meeting), it's often less formal and shorter. A "Konferenz" (conference) is usually larger and longer than a Besprechung.
• Cultural Context: As a review or critique, it's used for analysing artistic works: Buchbesprechung (book review), Filmbesprechung (film review), Theaterbesprechung (theatre review).
• General Usage: You can also have a "Besprechung" in a private setting, e.g., to discuss holiday plans or a problem, although simpler words like "Gespräch" (conversation) or "Diskussion" (discussion) are often used here.

⚠️ Avoid using "Besprechung" for just a short, informal chat. Words like "Unterhaltung" (conversation) or "kurzes Gespräch" (short chat) are more appropriate for that.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the Article (die): Remember that many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die): die Übung (practice), die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution), die Entscheidung (decision)... and, of course, die Besprechung. Imagine a group of decisive women (who use 'die') having an important Besprechung.

For the Meaning (Meeting/Discussion): The word contains "sprechen" (to speak). In a Besprechung, people speak a lot to clarify or plan things. You thoroughly *be*speak (discuss) something.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words

• Versprechung (die): A promise. Nothing to do with a discussion.
• Bescherung (die): Gift-giving (often at Christmas) or ironically for an unpleasant surprise (what a mess!).

😄 A Little Joke

Deutsch: Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Besprechung und Kaffee? Antwort: Kaffee macht wach.

English: Question: What's the difference between a meeting (Besprechung) and coffee? Answer: Coffee wakes you up.

📜 A Poem about the Besprechung

Deutsch:
Der Raum ist voll, die Luft ist lau,
die Besprechung beginnt genau.
Es wird geredet, diskutiert,
manch gute Idee wird präsentiert.
Am Ende hofft man, klar und klug,
hilft die Besprechung, Zug um Zug.

English Translation:
The room is full, the air is mild,
the meeting (Besprechung) starts right on the styled (time).
There's talking, discussion takes its flight,
many good ideas see the light.
In the end, one hopes, clear and smart,
the meeting helps, playing its part.

❓ A Little Riddle

Deutsch:
Ich habe oft Stühle im Kreis,
manchmal bringe ich den heißen Scheiß.
Man spricht und hört, plant und beschließt,
auch wenn man mich manchmal nicht genießt.
Im Büro bin ich ein Muss,
beende oft mit einem Schluss(wort).

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Besprechung

English Translation:
I often have chairs in a circle set,
sometimes I bring the latest threat (or hot topic).
People speak and listen, plan and decide,
even if sometimes you wish you could hide.
In the office, I'm a must,
often ending with a final thrust (closing remark).

What am I?

Answer: the meeting (die Besprechung)

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition:

The word "Besprechung" is a noun derived from the verb "besprechen" (to discuss, to talk about). The suffix "-ung" is commonly used in German to form nouns from verbs, indicating the process or result of the action. These nouns are almost always feminine (die).

• be- (prefix, often indicating action upon something)
• sprechen (verb: to speak)
• -ung (suffix for noun formation, feminine)

So, "Besprechung" literally means the act or result of "discussing" something.