die
Diskussion
🗣️ What does "die Diskussion" mean?
Die Diskussion (noun, feminine) refers to a conversation or deliberation about a specific topic where different opinions, viewpoints, or arguments are exchanged. The goal is often to solve a problem, make a decision, or simply examine a topic from various angles.
It involves an exchange of thoughts, often aiming for mutual understanding or agreement, although this isn't always achieved. A Diskussion can be factual and constructive, but also heated and controversial.
Because the word ends in -ion, like many other words with this ending in German, it is feminine and takes the article die.
📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Diskussion
The noun "Diskussion" is feminine. Here are the declension tables for singular and plural:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Diskussion |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Diskussion |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Diskussion |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Diskussion |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Diskussionen |
| Accusative | die | Diskussionen |
| Dative | den | Diskussionen |
| Genitive | der | Diskussionen |
Example Sentences 📝
- Die Diskussion über das neue Gesetz war sehr langwierig. (The discussion about the new law was very lengthy.)
- Wir führten eine hitzige Diskussion. (We had a heated discussion.)
- Ich habe mich an der Diskussion beteiligt. (I participated in the discussion.)
- Das Ergebnis der Diskussion war unklar. (The result of the discussion was unclear.)
- Viele Diskussionen fanden online statt. (Many discussions took place online.)
- Der Moderator leitete die verschiedenen Diskussionen. (The moderator led the various discussions.)
- Bei den Diskussionen kamen viele gute Ideen auf. (Many good ideas came up during the discussions.)
- Die Themen der Diskussionen waren vielfältig. (The topics of the discussions were diverse.)
💡 How to Use "die Diskussion"
"Die Diskussion" is used in many contexts, from everyday conversations to formal debates:
- Everyday life: A Diskussion about holiday plans, dinner, or a movie.
- Work: Team Diskussionen, project meetings, strategic Diskussionen.
- Education: Seminar Diskussionen, class talks, academic Diskussionen.
- Politics & Society: Panel Diskussionen, public debates, political Diskussionen.
Distinction from similar words:
- Gespräch: More general term for a spoken exchange, can also be small talk. A Diskussion is a more specific type of Gespräch, usually topic-focused.
- Debatte: Often more formal than a Diskussion, with clearer rules and the aim of convincing one side through arguments (e.g., parliamentary debate).
- Auseinandersetzung: Can be a Diskussion, but often implies a stronger conflict or argument.
- Erörterung: Emphasizes the thorough weighing of arguments, often in written or academic contexts.
You can eine Diskussion führen (have a discussion), beginnen (start), beenden (end), anstoßen (initiate), leiten (lead), or sich daran beteiligen (participate in it).
⚠️ Be careful: Although "Diskussion" is often neutral, "zur Diskussion stellen" can also mean to question something.
🧠 Memory Aids for "Diskussion"
Remembering the Article (die)
Feminine Power! Nouns ending in -ion in German are almost always feminine. Think of die Aktion, die Nation, and therefore die Diskussion.
Remembering the Meaning
It sounds almost identical to the English word discussion! So, when you hear Diskussion, think of people talking and exchanging ideas.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Words
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Aussprache: A clarifying talk, often after a conflict.
- Debatte: Formal, often public, exchange of arguments.
- Erörterung: Thorough discussion/examination of a topic.
- Gedankenaustausch: General exchange of thoughts.
- Gesprächsrunde: A group discussing a topic.
- Meinungsaustausch: Focus on sharing views.
- Besprechung: Meeting, often in a professional context.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Monolog: Monologue, speech by one person.
- Schweigen: Silence, absence of talk.
- Zustimmung/Einigkeit: Agreement, state where discussion is (no longer) needed.
- Vortrag/Referat: Lecture/presentation without direct exchange.
Related Terms:
- diskutieren (verb): to discuss.
- diskutabel (adjective): debatable; questionable.
- Diskussionsbeitrag (noun, masculine): a single contribution to a discussion.
- Diskussionsleiter/in (noun): moderator, person leading the discussion.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum sind Diskussionen wie Kreisverkehre?
Man dreht sich oft im Kreis, kommt aber manchmal doch an einem neuen Punkt raus! 😉
(Why are discussions like roundabouts? - You often go in circles, but sometimes you still end up somewhere new!)
📜 Poetic Words
Die Diskussion, ein Wortgefecht,
Mal laut, mal leise, mal gerecht.
Argumente fliegen hin und her,
Ein Standpunkt fest, der andre leer?
Man ringt um Wahrheit, Sinn und Zweck,
Verlässt gemeinsam oft den Fleck,
Wo man begann, mit neuem Licht –
So wirkt die Diskussion, schlicht.
(The discussion, a battle of words,
Sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, sometimes fair.
Arguments fly back and forth,
One viewpoint firm, the other bare?
One strives for truth, meaning, and purpose,
Often leaves the starting place together,
Where one began, with newfound light –
Thus works the discussion, simply.)
🧩 A Little Riddle
Ich lebe vom Austausch, von Pro und von Kontra,
bin mal hitzig entflammt, mal sachlich und sontra.
Ich brauche mehr als einen, der spricht,
und ende manchmal mit, manchmal ohne Gesicht (des Konsens).
Was bin ich? (... Die Diskussion)
(I live on exchange, on pro and con,
am sometimes heatedly inflamed, sometimes factual and calm.
I need more than one person to speak,
and sometimes end with, sometimes without a face (of consensus).
What am I?
... The discussion)
💡 More to Know
- Word Origin: The word "Diskussion" comes from the Latin word discussio, which originally meant 'shattering', 'shaking', but also 'examination', 'investigation'. The figurative meaning 'deliberation' developed later.
- Compounds: There are many compound words, e.g.:
- Podiumsdiskussion: Panel discussion (often before an audience, with experts on a podium).
- Gruppendiskussion: Group discussion.
- Diskussionsrunde: Discussion round (similar to group discussion).
- Diskussionskultur: Discussion culture (the way discussions are held in a group or society).
Summary: is it der, die or das Diskussion?
The correct article for Diskussion is die. So, it's die Diskussion. The word is feminine, and the ending -ion is a common indicator for feminine nouns in German.