die  Entlassung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛntˈlasʊŋ/

📚 What does "die Entlassung" mean?

Die Entlassung (noun, feminine) generally describes the act of releasing someone or the end of an obligation or state. It has several specific meanings:

• Termination of employment: This is the most common meaning. It refers to the *dismissal* or *laying off* of an employee by the employer (often for operational reasons). Example: Nach der Fusion gab es viele Entlassungen. (After the merger, there were many layoffs.)
• End of stay in an institution: The *discharge* of a person from a hospital, clinic, prison, or military service. Example: Seine Entlassung aus dem Krankenhaus wird für nächste Woche erwartet. (His discharge from the hospital is expected next week.)
• Release from a duty or task: The *release* or *exemption* from a responsibility or obligation. Example: Die Entlassung aus der Bürgschaft war eine Erleichterung. (The release from the guarantee was a relief.)

🚨 Attention: In the work context, a distinction is often made between Entlassung (by the employer, often without notice or for operational reasons) and Kündigung (a more general term for termination, which can also be initiated by the employee), although the terms are sometimes used synonymously.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Entlassung

The word "Entlassung" is a feminine noun. The article is therefore always die.

Declension:

Example Sentences

• Die Entlassung kam für ihn überraschend.
  (The dismissal came as a surprise to him.)
• Der Grund der Entlassung wurde nicht genannt.
  (The reason for the dismissal was not mentioned.)
• Er widersprach der Entlassung.
  (He objected to the dismissal.)
• Er fürchtete die Entlassung.
  (He feared the dismissal.)
• Die Firma kündigte mehrere Entlassungen an.
  (The company announced several layoffs.)
• Nach den Entlassungen herrschte schlechte Stimmung.
  (After the layoffs, the mood was bad.)

💡 How "die Entlassung" is used

The term die Entlassung is used in various contexts:

• Work environment: Here, it's often a formal term for the termination of employment by the employer, sometimes synonymous with *Massenentlassungen* (mass layoffs) or *Freisetzungen* (redundancies). Unlike Kündigung, which can also be initiated by the employee and often involves a notice period, an Entlassung can also be immediate (*fristlos*).
• Medical field: When a patient is allowed to go home from the hospital or clinic. (Example: Die Entlassungspapiere sind fertig. - The discharge papers are ready.)
• Correctional system/Military: When someone is released from prison or discharged from military service. (Example: Nach Verbüßung seiner Strafe stand die Entlassung bevor. - After serving his sentence, his release was imminent.)
• Education: Sometimes the term is used for graduating or leaving school (*Entlassung aus der Schule*), but *Abschluss* or *Schulabschluss* (graduation) are more common.

Stylistically, "Entlassung" is rather formal. In everyday language, people might talk about *"rausgeschmissen werden"* (colloquial: to be thrown out/fired) or *"den Job verlieren"* (to lose one's job).

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Entlassung"

• Article Mnemonic (die):

  Like most German nouns ending in -ung, Entlassung is feminine. Think of other common -ung words: *die* Rechnung (the bill), *die* Wohnung (the apartment), *die* Zeitung (the newspaper) → so it's die Entlassung.

• Meaning Mnemonic:

  The verb ent-lassen means 'to let go' or 'to release'. Think of Entlassung as the moment someone is *let loose* or *released* – whether from a job (dismissal), a hospital (discharge), or a duty (release). You are being 'let out' of the situation. The 'lass' part sounds a bit like 'loose'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Entlassung"

⚠️ Watch out for similar words: * die Unterlassung: The *omission* or *failure* to do something one should. * der Erlass: An official *decree* or *ordinance*; also the *remission* or *cancellation* of a debt or obligation.

😄 A Little Joke

Chef zum Mitarbeiter: "Müller, sind Sie eigentlich abergläubisch?"
Müller: "Nein, Chef, wieso?"
Chef: "Gut, denn heute ist Freitag der 13. und Sie bekommen Ihre Entlassungspapiere."

Translation:
Boss to employee: "Miller, are you superstitious, by any chance?"
Miller: "No, boss, why?"
Boss: "Good, because today is Friday the 13th, and you're getting your dismissal papers."

📜 Poem about Entlassung

Ein Brief kam an, ganz ohne Glanz,
Beendete den Arbeitstanz.
Die Tür fällt zu, ein neuer Start?
Die Entlassung, mal sanft, mal hart.

Im weißen Kittel, Tag für Tag,
Gesundheit kehrte wieder stark.
Die Papiere sind bereit,
Entlassung aus der Klinikzeit.

Translation:

A letter arrived, without a shine,
Ending the work-dance line.
The door closes, a new start's art?
The dismissal, sometimes gentle, sometimes harsh.

In white coat worn, day after day,
Health returned in a strong way.
The papers now are set aside,
Discharge from the clinic time.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Ende sein im Job,
Manchmal gewünscht, manchmal ein Schock.
Ich öffne Türen aus dem Spital,
Oder beende Dienst, ganz pauschal.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I can be an end in a job,
Sometimes desired, sometimes a shock.
I open doors from the hospital ward,
Or end service, across the board.

What am I?
(... Die Entlassung / Dismissal, Discharge, Release)

📌 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Entlassung" is a noun derived from the verb "entlassen". It consists of:

• Prefix ent-: often implies 'away', 'out', or 'beginning an action' (as in *entfernen* - to remove, *entdecken* - to discover).
• Verb stem lass(en): 'to let', 'to allow', 'to leave behind'.
• Suffix -ung: forms feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result.

Together, it signifies the process or result of 'letting go' or 'releasing'.