die  Bestimmung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʃtɪmʊŋ/

📜 What does "die Bestimmung" mean?

The word die Bestimmung is a feminine noun with several meanings, depending on the context:

• Purpose, destiny, calling: The role or purpose someone or something has in life. Example: Er folgte seiner Bestimmung und wurde Künstler. (He followed his destiny and became an artist.)
• Destination: The place where a journey ends. Example: Die Bestimmung des Zuges ist München. (The train's destination is Munich.)
• Regulation, provision, clause: A defined rule or instruction, often found in laws or contracts. Example: Bitte beachten Sie die Bestimmungen im Mietvertrag. (Please note the provisions in the rental agreement.) (Often used in plural: die Bestimmungen)
• Determination, analysis, identification: The precise definition or measurement of something, often in a scientific or technical context. Example: Die Bestimmung des pH-Wertes ergab 7,0. (The determination of the pH value resulted in 7.0.)

⚠️ Pay close attention to the context to figure out the correct meaning!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Bestimmung

Die Bestimmung is a feminine noun. The plural is die Bestimmungen.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

• (Purpose/Destiny): Es war ihre Bestimmung, Ärztin zu werden. (It was her destiny to become a doctor.)
• (Destination): Der Pilot nannte die Bestimmung des Fluges. (The pilot announced the flight's destination.)
• (Regulation): Die neuen Bestimmungen treten morgen in Kraft. (Plural) (The new regulations come into effect tomorrow.)
• (Determination): Die Bestimmung der Wasserqualität ist wichtig. (The determination of water quality is important.)

💡 How to use "die Bestimmung"?

• Purpose/Destiny: Often used in a philosophical or personal context. Phrases like "seine Bestimmung finden/erfüllen" (to find/fulfill one's destiny).
• Destination: In the context of travel, transport, logistics. "Der Zug hat seine Bestimmung erreicht." (The train has reached its destination.)
• Regulation/Provision: Frequently used in legal, administrative, or contractual fields. Mostly used in the plural ("die Bestimmungen"). Synonyms here are often 'Regelung' (regulation), 'Vorschrift' (rule), 'Klausel' (clause).
• Determination/Analysis: In scientific, technical, or analytical contexts. "Die Bestimmung des Alters von Fossilien." (The determination of the age of fossils.) Synonyms here are often 'Ermittlung' (determination, investigation), 'Analyse' (analysis), 'Messung' (measurement).

Risk of Confusion: Do not confuse with "die Abstimmung" (voting, coordination) or "die Stimmung" (mood, atmosphere).

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Bestimmung"

Article Mnemonic: Think of the big question about destiny (die Frage nach der Bestimmung). Questions in German often use "die", so it's die Bestimmung. Also, nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have to determine (like Bestimmung) four things: your life's purpose (Zweck/Schicksal), your travel destination (Zielort), the game's rules (Regelung), and the situation's analysis (Ermittlung). All are aspects of Bestimmung.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words: Be careful with words like Bestimmtheit (certainty, decisiveness) or Bestimmbarkeit (determinability), which sound similar but have different meanings.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Reisender den Schaffner: "Entschuldigen Sie, ist dieser Zug pünktlich an seiner Bestimmung?"
Antwortet der Schaffner: "Das hoffen wir doch sehr, sonst haben wir ein ernstes Problem mit den Schienen!"

Translation:
A traveler asks the conductor: "Excuse me, will this train arrive at its destination on time?"
The conductor replies: "We certainly hope so, otherwise we have a serious problem with the rails!"

✍️ Poem about Bestimmung

Des Lebens Faden, oft verwirrt,
Suchst du den Sinn, der dich nicht irrt.
Ist's Schicksal, Plan, was dich hier hält?
Die Bestimmung, die die Welt erhellt.

Ein Ort am Ende langer Fahrt,
Ein Regeln-Werk von strenger Art,
Ein Wert bestimmt, ganz klar und rein –
All das kann Bestimmung sein.

Translation:
Life's thread, often tangled,
You seek the meaning that doesn't mislead you.
Is it fate, a plan, what holds you here?
The destiny/purpose that illuminates the world.

A place at the end of a long journey,
A set of rules of a strict kind,
A value determined, clear and pure –
All this can be Bestimmung.

🧩 Riddle

Ich kann dein Schicksal sein, dein Lebensziel,
Der Ort, wohin die Reise führt, das ist kein Spiel.
Ich steh' im Vertrag, als Regel klein,
Und messe Stoffe, klar und rein.

Was bin ich? 🤔

Translation:
I can be your fate, your life's goal,
The place where the journey leads, that's no game at all.
I stand in the contract, as a small rule,
And measure substances, clear and cool.

What am I? 🤔
Answer: die Bestimmung

➕ Other Information

Word Formation: The word "Bestimmung" is derived from the verb "bestimmen" (to determine, decide, define). The suffix "-ung" marks it as a noun and is typically feminine (die).

Etymology: "Bestimmen" comes from Middle High German "bestimmen", meaning "to fix", "to declare something", related to "Stimme" (voice). So, originally, it referred to establishing something through an (authoritative) voice or statement.