die  Einwilligung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪnˌvɪlɪɡʊŋ/

📜 What does "die Einwilligung" mean?

Die Einwilligung (noun, feminine) means consent or agreement to a specific plan, action, or the use of something (e.g., data). It is often a formal and sometimes legally required declaration that one agrees to something.

Unlike simple permission (Erlaubnis) or approval (Zustimmung), Einwilligung often implies a higher degree of awareness of the consequences and is frequently obtained in writing, especially in areas like:

• Medicine (Patienteneinwilligung - patient consent)
• Data protection (Einwilligung zur Datenverarbeitung - consent for data processing, e.g., according to GDPR/DSGVO)
• Contract law (Vertragsrecht)

⚠️ It's important not to confuse Einwilligung with mere acknowledgment (Kenntnisnahme). An Einwilligung is an active act of consenting.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar & Declension: die Einwilligung

The word "Einwilligung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die". Like most nouns ending in -ung, it's feminine.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Für diese medizinische Behandlung benötigen wir Ihre schriftliche Einwilligung.
   (For this medical treatment, we need your written consent.)
2. Ohne Einwilligung der Eltern dürfen Minderjährige den Vertrag nicht unterschreiben.
   (Without the parents' consent, minors may not sign the contract.)
3. Die Einwilligung zur Datennutzung kann jederzeit widerrufen werden.
   (The consent for data usage can be revoked at any time.)
4. Er gab seine Einwilligung nur unter Vorbehalt.
   (He gave his consent only with reservations.)
5. Das Sammeln mehrerer Einwilligungen ist für dieses Projekt notwendig.
   (Collecting multiple consents is necessary for this project.)

💡 Usage in Context

"Die Einwilligung" is mostly used in formal, official, or legal contexts.

• Recht & Verträge (Law & Contracts): Here, Einwilligung is often a condition for the validity of an action or contract. Example: "Die Einwilligung des Betroffenen ist laut DSGVO erforderlich." (The consent of the data subject is required according to GDPR.)
• Medizin (Medicine): Before surgeries or treatments, the patient must give their informed consent (Patienteneinwilligung). Example: "Bitte lesen Sie die Aufklärung und unterschreiben Sie die Einwilligung." (Please read the information and sign the consent form.)
• Alltag (Everyday life - rarer): In normal conversation, "Zustimmung" (approval) or "Erlaubnis" (permission) are often more common and less formal. One would rarely say: "Ich brauche deine Einwilligung, um deinen Stift zu leihen." (I need your consent to borrow your pen.) (Here, "Erlaubnis" fits better).

Distinction from similar words:

• Zustimmung: General expression of agreement, can also be informal.
• Genehmigung: Often granted by an authority or official body (e.g., building permit - Baugenehmigung).
• Erlaubnis: Permission for an action, often less formal than Einwilligung.
• Einverständnis: Very similar to Einwilligung, often used synonymously, perhaps slightly less formal-legalistic.

🧠 Mnemonics for Einwilligung

1. For the article (die): Nouns ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine (die). Just remember the ending! Think of: die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution), die Einwilligung.
2. For the meaning (Consent/Agreement): Imagine someone is "willing" (willig in German sounds similar) to give their "in"-put (Ein-) or agreement. Ein + willig = Einwilligung (the willingness to agree/consent).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but different words:

• Zusage: Commitment/promise (not necessarily permission).
• Bestätigung: Confirmation (that something is correct or has happened).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum braucht man beim Bäcker keine schriftliche Einwilligung für ein Brötchen?

Weil das Angebot so unwiderstehlich ist, dass die Zustimmung als stillschweigend erteilt gilt! 😉

---

Why don't you need written consent for a bread roll at the bakery?

Because the offer is so irresistible that consent is considered tacitly given! 😉

✍️ Poem about Einwilligung

Ein kleines Wort, oft auf Papier,
Die Einwilligung, die brauchen wir.
Für Doktor, Daten, manchen Pakt,
ist sie der rechtlich feste Akt.

Ein Kreuz, ein Name, klar und rein,
so lässt man sich auf etwas ein.
Drum prüfe wohl, was du signierst,
damit du nicht den Sinn verlierst.

---

A little word, often on paper,
Die Einwilligung, that's what we require.
For doctor, data, many a pact,
it is the legally binding act.

A cross, a name, clear and pure,
thus one agrees, to be sure.
So check well what you undersign,
lest you lose the meaning, the design.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein „Ja“, doch sehr formal,
man braucht mich oft, fast überall.
Ob Arzt, ob Amt, ob Netz-Vertrag,
ohne mich gibt’s manchen Schlag.

Ich trage meist den Artikel „die“,
Was bin ich wohl, wer rät es hie?

---

I am a "yes", but very formal,
You often need me, it's quite normal.
For doctor, office, internet pact,
Without me, things can get off track.

I usually take the article "die",
What could I be? Give it a try!

(Solution: die Einwilligung)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Einwilligung" is composed of:

• ein-: Prefix, here in the sense of 'into' or 'agreeingly participate'.
• willigen: Verb, meaning 'to consent', 'to agree', 'to give one's will to something'.
• -ung: Suffix used to form nouns from verbs, often denoting the process or result of an action. These nouns are almost always feminine.

Cultural Context:

In Germany and the EU, the term "Einwilligung" has gained significant importance due to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, or Datenschutz-Grundverordnung - DSGVO in German). Companies require clear and informed consent from users to process their personal data.