die  Beteiligung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈtɛlɪɡʊŋ/

🤔 What does "die Beteiligung" mean?

Die Beteiligung is a feminine noun in German with two main meanings:

1. Participation / Involvement: The act of actively taking part or being involved in a process, event, discussion, or activity. It describes being included or engaged.
   • Example: Die Beteiligung der Bürger an der Stadtplanung ist erwünscht. (The participation of citizens in city planning is desired.)
2. Shareholding / Stake / Financial Interest: Owning shares or having a financial stake in a company or project, often implying voting rights or a claim to profits.
   • Example: Er hält eine bedeutende Beteiligung an der Firma. (He holds a significant stake in the company.)

⚠️ Attention: Although "Teilnahme" (attendance, participation) is similar, "Beteiligung" often emphasizes a more active or substantial engagement, especially in the financial context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar of "die Beteiligung" in Detail

"Beteiligung" is a feminine noun. Feminine nouns ending in -ung form a large and regular group in German.

Example Sentences for Grammar

• Nominative Singular: Die Beteiligung am Projekt war hoch. (Participation in the project was high.)
• Genitive Singular: Trotz der Beteiligung vieler Experten gab es Probleme. (Despite the involvement of many experts, there were problems.)
• Dative Singular: Mit der Beteiligung des Investors konnte das Start-up wachsen. (With the investor's participation/stake, the start-up could grow.)
• Accusative Singular: Wir begrüßen die Beteiligung aller Mitarbeiter. (We welcome the participation of all employees.)
• Nominative Plural: Die Beteiligungen des Konzerns sind international gestreut. (The group's shareholdings/stakes are internationally diversified.)
• Accusative Plural: Er verkaufte alle seine Beteiligungen. (He sold all his shareholdings/stakes.)

💡 How to use "die Beteiligung"?

Usage depends heavily on the context:

• In a social/political context: Here, "Beteiligung" often means the involvement or participation of people or groups.
  • Example: Die politische Beteiligung junger Menschen ist wichtig für die Demokratie. (The political participation of young people is important for democracy.)
  • Comparison: Similar to "Partizipation" or "Mitwirkung" (cooperation, contribution). "Teilnahme" is often more passive (e.g., Teilnahme an einer Umfrage - taking part in a survey vs. Beteiligung an der Auswertung - involvement in the analysis).
• In an economic/financial context: Here, "Beteiligung" usually refers to a share in a company (shareholding, investment, stake).
  • Example: Die Holdinggesellschaft verwaltet zahlreiche Beteiligungen. (The holding company manages numerous shareholdings/stakes.)
  • Comparison: More specific than "Investition" (investment). A Beteiligung often implies a certain level of influence or strategic intent. Related to "Anteil" (share, portion).
• In a legal context: Can refer to complicity in a crime ("Beteiligung an einer Straftat" - complicity in a crime).

Generally, "die Beteiligung" describes active or substantial involvement, whether through actions, financial means, or legal responsibility.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Beteiligung"

For the article (die): Most German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Remember: "The ending '-ung' needs 'die'". This applies to die Beteiligung.

For the meaning: Imagine you take part (Teil) in something important. Or you give a part (Teil) of your money for a stake in a company. You are actively involved ('be-') and contributing a part ('Teil') – that's Be-teil-igung (participation/stake).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Teilung (die): The division or separation of something (e.g., die Teilung Deutschlands - the division of Germany).
• Abteilung (die): A department or section (e.g., in a company or store).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Chef seine Mitarbeiter: "Wer von Ihnen ist für eine höhere Gewinnbeteiligung?" Alle Hände gehen hoch. Chef: "Gut, dann fangen wir damit bei mir an!"

English: The boss asks his employees: "Who among you is in favour of higher profit sharing (Gewinnbeteiligung)?" All hands go up. Boss: "Good, then let's start with me!"

📜 Poem about Beteiligung

German:
Die Beteiligung, ein wichtig Wort,
An manchem Ort, an manchem Ort.
Mal ist's der Anteil, klein und fein,
Mal bringt man sich voll mit hinein.
Ob Firma, Spiel, ob Staatsgeschick,
Mitmachen bringt oft Glück zurück.
Drum sei dabei, gib deinen Teil,
Beteiligung macht manches heil.

English Translation:
Die Beteiligung, an important word,
In many a place, it can be heard.
Sometimes a share, small and neat,
Sometimes you jump in with both feet.
Be it company, game, or state affair,
Taking part often brings fortune fair.
So be involved, contribute your share,
Beteiligung can make things repair.

🧩 Riddle

German:
Ich kann ein Stück vom Kuchen sein,
oder dein aktives Dabeisein.
Manchmal bin ich Geld, manchmal Tat,
steh' oft im Firmen- oder Bürger-Rat.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I can be a piece of the cake,
or the active part you take.
Sometimes I am money, sometimes a deed,
Often found in company or citizen council's creed.

What am I? (Solution: die Beteiligung)

ℹ️ Additional Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word "Beteiligung" derives from the verb "sich beteiligen" (to participate, to take a share). This verb is a compound:

• be-: A prefix often indicating an action upon an object or intensification.
• Teil: Refers to a part or share.
• -ig-: Suffix used to form adjectives (as in "beteiligt" - involved, participating).
• -en: Verb ending.

The noun is then formed by adding the suffix -ung, which typically creates feminine nouns from verbs (beteiligen → Beteiligung).