die
Datierung
🗓️ What exactly does 'Datierung' mean?
Die Datierung (noun, feminine) refers to the process of assigning a date to an object, event, document, or layer (e.g., in archaeology). It's about determining the point in time or period from which something originates or when something took place.
It can also refer to the result of this process, i.e., the date specification itself.
- Main meaning: Determination or indication of a point in time/period (e.g., die Datierung eines archäologischen Fundes - the dating of an archaeological find).
- Secondary meaning: The date indicated on a written document (e.g., Die Datierung auf dem Brief fehlte. - The date was missing on the letter.).
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with the English word "dating" in the sense of a romantic encounter. The German equivalent for that would be "das Date" or "die Verabredung".
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
The Grammar behind 'Datierung'
The word "Datierung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. It is declined as follows:
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Datierung |
| Genitive | der | Datierung |
| Dative | der | Datierung |
| Accusative | die | Datierung |
Declension (Plural)
The plural is "die Datierungen".
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Datierungen |
| Genitive | der | Datierungen |
| Dative | den | Datierungen |
| Accusative | die | Datierungen |
Example Sentences
- Die Datierung des Manuskripts war schwierig.
(The dating of the manuscript was difficult.) - Mithilfe der Radiokarbonmethode gelang eine genaue Datierung.
(Using the radiocarbon method, an exact dating was achieved.) - Fehler bei der Datierung können zu falschen historischen Einordnungen führen.
(Errors in dating can lead to incorrect historical classifications.) - Mehrere Datierungen wurden vorgeschlagen, aber keine ist gesichert.
(Several datings/dates were proposed, but none are certain.)
When to use 'Datierung'? 🕰️
"Datierung" is primarily used in contexts where the age or time of origin of something is determined. Typical fields of application include:
- Archäologie & Paläontologie (Archaeology & Paleontology): Dating of finds, fossils, sediment layers.
- Kunstgeschichte (Art History): Dating of artworks, buildings.
- Geologie (Geology): Dating of rock layers.
- Geschichte & Philologie (History & Philology): Dating of historical events, documents, manuscripts.
- Verwaltung & Recht (Administration & Law): Indicating the date on official documents (here often synonymous with "Datum" or "Datumsangabe").
Compared to das Datum (which primarily refers to a specific calendar day), die Datierung emphasizes the process of age determination or the result of this determination in a scientific/historical context.
Example: Das Datum auf dem Brief ist der 10. Mai. Die Datierung des Briefes auf das 18. Jahrhundert erfolgte durch Analyse des Papiers.
(The date on the letter is May 10th. The dating of the letter to the 18th century was done by analyzing the paper.)
Mnemonics for 'Datierung'
Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine. Think: the ending (-ung) makes the Datierung female (die).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine trying to assign a *date* to something very old. The process or result of assigning this *date* is *die Datierung*. Think of *dat*ing + the suffix *-ierung* (often indicating a process).
Similar and Opposite Terms 🔄
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Zeitbestimmung: General term for determining a point in time.
- Altersbestimmung: Specifically determining age (common in archaeology/geology).
- Datumsangabe: The specific date stated (often on documents).
- Zeitliche Einordnung: Describes the process of placing something in a temporal context.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- A direct antonym is difficult. One might paraphrase:
- Fehlende Datierung (Missing/absent dating)
- Undatiertheit (The state of being undated)
Words easily confused:
A Little Joke 😄
DE: Warum sind Archäologen so schlecht im Pokern?
Weil sie ständig ihre Funde datieren! 😉
EN: Why are archaeologists so bad at poker?
Because they are always dating their finds! 😉
Poem about Dating 📜
DE:
Ein alter Krug, im Staub entdeckt,
Sein wahres Alter gut versteckt.
Mit C-14, klug und fein,
Soll die Datierung möglich sein.
Jahr um Jahr zählt man zurück,
Bis feststeht das Vergangenheitsstück.
EN:
An ancient jug, in dust discovered,
Its true age cleverly covered.
With C-14, smart and keen,
The dating process can convene.
Year by year, counting back the time,
Until the past piece is defined.
A Little Riddle 🤔
DE:
Ich geb' der Zeit ein festes Kleid,
Für Fund, Dokument, aus alter Zeit.
Mal bin ich Prozess, mal Zahl allein,
Was kann ich nur sein?
Lösung: Die Datierung
EN:
I give time a solid frame,
For finds, documents, of ancient fame.
Sometimes a process, sometimes just a number shown,
What can I be?
Solution: Die Datierung (the dating)
Trivia and Details 🧐
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The word "Datierung" is a nominalization (Substantivierung) of the verb "datieren" (to date, assign a date) by adding the suffix "-ung". The verb "datieren" comes from the Latin word "datum" (given), which was originally used on documents to indicate the place and day of issue ("given at [place] on [day]").
Scientific Methods (Wissenschaftliche Methoden):
There are many scientific methods for Datierung, such as:
- Radiocarbon dating (Radiokarbonmethode, C14-Datierung): For organic materials.
- Dendrochronology (Dendrochronologie): Using tree rings.
- Potassium-argon dating (Kalium-Argon-Datierung): For volcanic rock.
- Thermoluminescence dating (Thermolumineszenzdatierung): For fired ceramics or sediments.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Datierung?
The word Datierung is feminine. The correct article is die (die Datierung, der Datierung, die Datierungen). It refers to the process or result of determining a date or time period.