die  Dringlichkeit

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/dʁɪŋlɪçkaɪt/

🎯 What does "die Dringlichkeit" mean?

Die Dringlichkeit describes the state or quality of something being very important and requiring immediate attention or action. It signifies high priority or time pressure.

The word is feminine, so it's always die Dringlichkeit.

It expresses that something allows no delay. ⏱️ It essentially means 'urgency' or 'pressing need'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "Dringlichkeit" in Detail

The noun "Dringlichkeit" is feminine. It is mainly used in the singular as it describes an abstract concept. The plural ("die Dringlichkeiten") is rare and usually refers to multiple urgent matters or cases.

Example Sentences

• Die Dringlichkeit der Situation war allen bewusst.
  (Everyone was aware of the urgency of the situation.)
• Er betonte die Dringlichkeit seines Anliegens.
  (He emphasized the urgency of his request.)
• Aufgrund der Dringlichkeit musste sofort gehandelt werden.
  (Due to the urgency, immediate action had to be taken.)
• Die verschiedenen Dringlichkeiten wurden nach Priorität sortiert. (selten)
  (The various urgent matters were sorted by priority.) (rare usage)

🗣️ How to use "Dringlichkeit"?

"Dringlichkeit" is used to express that something is urgent or very important and needs immediate attention.

• At work: Often used in connection with deadlines, task prioritization, or urgent emails. (e.g., "Diese Aufgabe hat höchste Dringlichkeit." - This task has the highest urgency/priority.)
• In emergencies: To underline the seriousness of a situation. (e.g., "Die Dringlichkeit des medizinischen Notfalls war offensichtlich." - The urgency of the medical emergency was obvious.)
• In administration: For applications or procedures that need to be expedited. (e.g., "Ein Antrag auf Dringlichkeit wurde gestellt." - An application for urgent processing was submitted.)

It's a more formal word than, for example, "Eile" (haste, rush). While "Eile" often emphasizes the speed of action, "Dringlichkeit" emphasizes the necessity of quick action due to importance or time constraints.

🧠 Mnemonics for Dringlichkeit

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in "-keit" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Möglichkeit (possibility), die Wichtigkeit (importance), and thus also die Dringlichkeit.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone dringen-ing (pushing, insisting) on you, saying "This must be done NOW!". This insistent pushing (dringen) shows the high Dringlichkeit (urgency).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Not every synonym fits every context. "Dringlichkeit" often emphasizes a combination of importance and time pressure.

😂 A little Joke

Warum hat der Wecker so eine hohe Dringlichkeit am Montagmorgen?

Weil er weiß, dass du sonst den ganzen Tag verschlafen würdest und er dann arbeitslos wäre! ⏰😅

--- English Translation ---

Why does the alarm clock have such high urgency on Monday morning?

Because it knows you'd otherwise sleep all day, and then it would be unemployed! ⏰😅

📜 Poem about Urgency

Die Zeit, sie rennt, ein schneller Lauf,
Nimmt manches Wichtige in Kauf.
Ein Ruf ertönt, ganz klar und laut,
Von Dringlichkeit die Welt gebaut.
Kein Zögern mehr, kein Stillestand,
Es liegt die Lösung in der Hand.
Sofort, sogleich, und nicht erst dann,
So fordert sie den Mann und Fraun.

--- English Translation ---

Time, it runs, a rapid race,
Takes many important things in its pace.
A call rings out, both clear and loud,
On urgency the world is vowed.
No more delay, no standstill found,
The solution lies close at hand, profound.
Immediately, at once, not later then,
So it demands of women and men.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keine Beine, doch ich treibe dich an.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch mein Ruf ist oft ein Bann.
Ich mache aus „später“ ein „sofort“ und „jetzt“.
Was bin ich, das oft Prioritäten setzt?

Lösung: die Dringlichkeit

--- English Translation ---

I have no legs, yet I drive you on.
I have no voice, yet my call is often a command.
I turn "later" into "immediately" and "now".
What am I, that often sets priorities somehow?

Solution: die Dringlichkeit (urgency)

🧩 Additional Info

Word Composition:

The word "Dringlichkeit" derives from the adjective "dringlich" (urgent), which in turn comes from the verb "dringen" (to urge, press, insist). The ending "-keit" is a suffix used to form nouns from adjectives, denoting a quality or state (like in Möglichkeit - possibility, Heiterkeit - cheerfulness etc.).

Dringen (to urge) → Dringlich (urgent) → Dringlichkeit (urgency)