die
Dauerausstellung
🏛️ What does 'die Dauerausstellung' mean?
The German word die Dauerausstellung refers to an exhibition in a museum, gallery, or similar institution that is not temporary but is accessible to the public for a long period or even permanently. It often forms the core collection of a museum, showcasing its most important artifacts or thematic areas.
The opposite is the Sonderausstellung (special exhibition) or Wechselausstellung (temporary/changing exhibition), which is only shown for a specific time.
Since the base word 'Ausstellung' (exhibition) is feminine (die Ausstellung), 'die Dauerausstellung' is also feminine.
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.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Dauerausstellung
The noun 'Dauerausstellung' is feminine. The article is die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dauerausstellung |
| Genitive | der | Dauerausstellung |
| Dative | der | Dauerausstellung |
| Accusative | die | Dauerausstellung |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dauerausstellungen |
| Genitive | der | Dauerausstellungen |
| Dative | den | Dauerausstellungen |
| Accusative | die | Dauerausstellungen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Dauerausstellung des Museums zeigt Exponate aus der Römerzeit.
(The museum's permanent exhibition shows exhibits from Roman times.) - Wir haben leider nur Zeit für die Dauerausstellung, nicht für die Sonderausstellung.
(Unfortunately, we only have time for the permanent exhibition, not the special exhibition.) - Der Eintritt zur Dauerausstellung ist oft günstiger.
(Admission to the permanent exhibition is often cheaper.)
🖼️ When and How to Use 'Dauerausstellung'?
'Dauerausstellung' is mainly used in the context of museums, galleries, archives, or memorial sites. It describes the part of the collection that is permanently accessible to visitors, or at least for very long periods.
- Typical Contexts: Museum visits, cultural reporting, planning trips, describing collections.
- Distinction: The clear opposite is the Sonderausstellung (special exhibition) or Wechselausstellung (temporary/changing exhibition), which is more thematically focused and time-limited. A Dauerausstellung often represents the identity and core mission of the institution.
- Formal/Informal: The term is used in both formal language (museum guides, academic texts) and informal everyday language when talking about museum visits.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: The base word is 'die Ausstellung'. An exhibition that lasts a long time... it's a Dauer-Ausstellung (permanent exhibition). The article stays die. Think: Exhibitions often show things related to she ('die' is feminine).
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'durable' or 'duration'. An exhibition that has a long Dauer (duration) is a Dauerausstellung.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Dauerausstellung
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Ständige Ausstellung: Very common synonym ('standing' or 'permanent' exhibition).
- Permanente Ausstellung: Slightly more formal, but also common ('permanent exhibition').
- Basisausstellung: Emphasizes that it's the core collection ('base exhibition').
Antonyms (opposites):
- Sonderausstellung: A temporary exhibition on a special topic ('special exhibition').
- Wechselausstellung: Similar to Sonderausstellung, emphasizes the changing nature ('changing exhibition').
- Temporäre Ausstellung: Emphasizes the time limit ('temporary exhibition').
- Wanderausstellung: An exhibition shown in different locations ('travelling exhibition').
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat das Skelett die Dauerausstellung verlassen?
Es hatte keine Haut mehr darauf, immer dasselbe zu sehen!
(EN: Why did the skeleton leave the permanent exhibition? It didn't have the 'skin' for seeing the same thing anymore! - A pun on the German phrase "keine Haut mehr drauf haben", similar to "being fed up" or "not having the stomach for something anymore".)
📜 A Poem about the Exhibition
Im Museum, stolz und breit,
steht sie da für lange Zeit.
Kein Wechsel, nein, sie bleibt besteh'n,
man kann sie immer wieder seh'n.
Die Schätze, alt und wundervoll,
zeigt die Dauerausstellung toll.
(EN: In the museum, proud and wide,
It stands there for a long time.
No change, no, it remains,
You can see it again and again.
The treasures, old and wonderful,
The great permanent exhibition shows.)
❓ A Little Riddle
Ich bin im Museum meist zu Haus,
und wechsle selten meinen Platz aus.
Monat für Monat, Jahr für Jahr,
biete ich meine Schätze dar.
Ich bin nicht 'Sonder', ich bin 'stet'.
Wie heiß ich wohl, wenn man mich seht?
(EN: I'm usually at home in the museum,
And rarely change my place.
Month after month, year after year,
I present my treasures.
I'm not 'special', I am 'steady'.
What am I called, when you see me?)
Solution: Die Dauerausstellung
🧩 Word Building Blocks: Dauerausstellung
The word 'Dauerausstellung' is a compound noun, composed of:
- Dauer (noun): Means duration, permanence, continuance.
- Ausstellung (noun): Means exhibition, the public display of objects (artworks, historical artifacts, etc.).
Together, the meaning is: An exhibition that is of duration, i.e., shown permanently.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Dauerausstellung?
The correct article for 'Dauerausstellung' is die. The word is feminine and refers to a permanent exhibition, for example, in a museum.