die  Darbietung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdaʁbiːtʊŋ/

🎭 What does "die Darbietung" mean?

The word die Darbietung (feminine noun) has several related meanings:

• Performance or Show: This usually refers to artistic or entertaining presentations, like a concert, a play, a dance performance, or a circus act. Example: Die Darbietung des Pianisten war atemberaubend (The pianist's performance was breathtaking).
• Presentation or Lecture: It can also mean a more formal presentation of information or ideas, e.g., in a business or academic context. Example: Seine Darbietung der Forschungsergebnisse war sehr überzeugend (His presentation of the research results was very convincing).
• The Offering or Presenting of something: In a more general sense, it can also refer to the physical act of offering or handing something over, although this is less common. Example: Die Darbietung von Speisen und Getränken erfolgte auf eleganten Tabletts (The offering of food and drinks was done on elegant trays).

The core meaning always lies in the act of presenting, performing, or offering something to an audience or another person.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "Darbietung" in Detail

"Darbietung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Darbietung der Akrobaten war spektakulär.
   (The acrobats' performance was spectacular.)
2. Wir waren von der Qualität seiner Darbietung beeindruckt.
   (We were impressed by the quality of his presentation/performance.)
3. Nach der musikalischen Darbietung gab es großen Applaus.
   (After the musical performance, there was great applause.)
4. Der Lehrer lobte die klare Darbietung des komplexen Themas durch den Schüler.
   (The teacher praised the student's clear presentation of the complex topic.)

🎤 Everyday Usage

"Die Darbietung" is frequently used in the context of arts and culture, but also for presentations in general.

• Artistic Context: Here it's often interchangeable with Vorführung (show, demonstration) or Aufführung (performance, staging), e.g., Theaterdarbietung (theatrical performance), musikalische Darbietung (musical performance), Tanzdarbietung (dance performance).
• Presentation Context: When talking about presenting information, it can be used similarly to Präsentation or Vortrag (lecture), but often emphasizes the manner of presentation itself more strongly.
• General Context: Less common for the mere offering of things; here, Angebot (offer) or Überreichung (handing over) are often more specific.

⚠️ Note: Although Präsentation is often used synonymously, Darbietung can sometimes place a stronger focus on the *way* something is presented, not just the content.

🧠 Mnemonics for Darbietung

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Rechnung (the bill), die Übung (the exercise), die Bedeutung (the meaning) -> so it's die Darbietung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of it as something being "dared" (presented boldly) and "bieten" (offered). A Darbietung is something dared to be shown and offered to an audience.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar sounding words:

• Darbringung: Similar, but often used in a religious or ceremonial context (e.g., Opferdarbringung - offering of a sacrifice).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Regisseur den Schauspieler nach der Premiere: "Und, wie fanden Sie Ihre Darbietung?"
Antwortet der Schauspieler: "Großartig! Nur das Publikum hat leider gestört."

(Translation: The director asks the actor after the premiere: "So, how did you like your performance?"
The actor replies: "Magnificent! Unfortunately, the audience was disturbing.")

📜 Poem about Darbietung

Auf der Bühne, hell und klar,
erfolgt die Darbietung, wunderbar.
Musik erklingt, ein Tanz beginnt,
das Publikum lauscht, geschwind.
Ein Moment, geteilt, gezeigt,
Kunst, die das Herz erreicht.

(Translation:
On the stage, bright and clear,
the performance happens, wonderful.
Music sounds, a dance begins,
the audience listens, swiftly.
A moment, shared, shown,
Art that reaches the heart.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich zeige Kunst, mal laut, mal leis,
bin auf der Bühne oft der Preis.
Manchmal erklär' ich, was man weiß,
beende oft den Wissenskreis.

Was bin ich?

(Translation:
I show art, sometimes loud, sometimes quiet,
Am often the prize on stage.
Sometimes I explain what is known,
Often conclude the circle of knowledge.

What am I?) (Solution: die Darbietung)

🧩 Word Building Blocks

The word "Darbietung" is composed of:

• dar-: A prefix often meaning "forth," "before," or "publicly" (as in darlegen - to lay out, darstellen - to depict).
• bieten: The verb meaning "to offer".
• -ung: A suffix that turns verbs into nouns, usually making them feminine.

Together, the meaning is: The act of publicly offering or showing something.