die  Enthaltung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛntˈhaltʊŋ/

🗳️ What does "die Enthaltung" mean?

The word die Enthaltung primarily has two meanings:

1. Abstention from voting: This is the most common meaning, especially in political or legal contexts. When someone abstains (*sich enthält*) in an election or vote, they cast neither a 'yes' nor a 'no' vote. In German: die Stimmenthaltung.
2. Abstinence or Restraint: In a more general sense, Enthaltung describes the conscious act of refraining from something (e.g., alcohol, food, sex) or holding back from an action or expressing an opinion. In German: der Verzicht or die Zurückhaltung.

It's a feminine noun derived from the verb *sich enthalten* (to abstain, to refrain).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Enthaltung

The noun die Enthaltung is feminine. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural (*die Enthaltungen*) is less common and usually refers to multiple specific acts of abstention in votes.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural (rare)

Example Sentences

• Meaning 1 (Voting): Bei der Abstimmung gab es zehn Ja-Stimmen, fünf Nein-Stimmen und drei Enthaltungen.
  (In the vote, there were ten yes-votes, five no-votes, and three abstentions.)
• Meaning 1 (Voting): Seine Enthaltung wurde von einigen kritisiert.
  (His abstention was criticized by some.)
• Meaning 2 (Abstinence): Die Fastenzeit ist eine Zeit der Enthaltung.
  (Lent is a time of abstinence.)
• Meaning 2 (Restraint): Aus diplomatischer Enthaltung äußerte er sich nicht zu dem Thema.
  (Out of diplomatic restraint, he did not comment on the topic.)

🌐 When to use "die Enthaltung"?

In political/legal contexts: Here, *die Enthaltung* is a standard term for not casting a valid vote in elections or ballots (e.g., in parliament, committees, general meetings). It's specifically *die Stimmenthaltung*.

In personal/ethical contexts: Here, it describes the conscious *Verzicht* (renunciation, giving up) of certain things or actions, often for moral, health, or religious reasons. Examples include sexual abstinence (*sexuelle Enthaltung*), abstaining from alcohol (*Alkoholenthaltung*) or meat.

Distinction from "Verzicht": While *die Enthaltung* often describes a specific act (not voting) or a principled stance (e.g., sexual abstinence), *der Verzicht* is more general and can refer to anything one voluntarily forgoes (e.g., *Verzicht auf Urlaub* - foregoing vacation, *Verzicht auf ein Recht* - waiving a right).

⚠️ Important: In the voting sense, *Enthaltung* is neither approval nor rejection, but a neutral position (or a deliberate non-positioning).

💡 Mnemonics for "die Enthaltung"

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (*die*). Think of *die Entscheidung* (the decision) to abstain leads to *die Enthaltung*.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains *ent-halten* (to contain, withhold). When you *enthalten* (withhold) your vote, it's an *Enthaltung*. When you *enthalten* (refrain) from something (like chocolate), it's also an *Enthaltung*.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar Words (Caution!):

• *Erhaltung (die):* Preservation, maintenance (e.g., *die Erhaltung von Denkmälern* - the preservation of monuments). Sounds similar, but means something completely different.
• *Entfaltung (die):* Development, unfolding (e.g., *die freie Entfaltung der Persönlichkeit* - the free development of personality).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Wahlleiter: "Gibt es Enthaltungen?" Meldet sich einer: "Ja, ich enthalte mich der Meinung, ob ich mich enthalten soll."

English: The election official asks: "Are there any abstentions?" Someone speaks up: "Yes, I abstain from having an opinion on whether I should abstain."

📜 Poem about Enthaltung

German: Die Wahl steht an, die Frage klar,
Ja oder Nein, wunderbar?
Doch mancher zögert, hält zurück,
findet im Mittelfeld sein Glück.
Kein klares Ja, kein striktes Nein,
die Enthaltung lässt ihn neutral sein.
Ob weise Ruh' ob Zauderlast,
sie hält die eig'ne Stimme fest.

English Translation: The vote is near, the question's plain,
Yes or No, again and again?
But some may hesitate, hold back,
find fortune on the middle track.
No clear 'Yes', no strict 'Nay',
the abstention lets them neutral stay.
Be it wise calm or burden's doubt,
it keeps one's own vote tightly out.

🧩 Little Riddle

German: Ich bin kein Ja, ich bin kein Nein,
bei Wahlen lass ich's lieber sein.
Ich zeige weder Lust noch Frust,
bin weder Zuspruch noch Verlust.

Was bin ich?

English: I am no Yes, I am no No,
In elections, I don't make a show.
I show neither desire nor pain,
Am neither approval nor loss nor gain.

What am I?

Solution: die Enthaltung (abstention)

📌 Further Information

Word Formation: The word is a nominalization of the verb *sich enthalten* (to abstain). It consists of the prefix *ent-* (away, apart), the stem *halt* (from *halten* - to hold), and the suffix *-ung*, which typically forms feminine nouns indicating an action or state.

Context: The perception of an *Enthaltung* can vary greatly. Sometimes it's seen as a sign of indecision or cowardice, other times as a legitimate neutral stance or a protest against the available options.