die  Entlastung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛntˈlastʊŋ/

🤔 What does Entlastung mean?

Die Entlastung is a feminine noun generally describing the process or state of being freed from a load, burden, obligation, or pressure. It has several specific meanings depending on the context:

• Reduction of burden: The most common meaning. This can refer to physical strain (e.g., pain), psychological stress (Stress, Sorgen - worries), workload, or financial burden. Example: A salary increase can be a financial Entlastung (relief).
• Legal discharge/exoneration: In a legal sense, it means exoneration from an accusation, guilt, or responsibility. Example: The board of directors received Entlastung (was discharged) after the books were audited.
• Technical relief: In engineering and construction, it refers to measures taken to reduce pressure or stress on components or systems. Example: The new bypass provides Entlastung (relief) for city traffic.

🚨 Since 'Entlastung' ends in '-ung', it is always feminine (die).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar & Declension of Entlastung

The word "die Entlastung" is a feminine noun. In German, nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine.

Here is the declension:

Example Sentences

1. Die neue Software brachte eine deutliche Entlastung für die Mitarbeiter.
   (The new software brought significant relief for the employees. - Nominative Singular)
2. Trotz der finanziellen Entlastung blieben Sorgen bestehen.
   (Despite the financial relief, worries remained. - Genitive Singular - often used with 'von': Trotz der Entlastung von...)
3. Wir danken Ihnen für die spürbare Entlastung.
   (We thank you for the noticeable relief. - Accusative Singular - here after 'danken für' which takes Accusative)
4. Der Arzt empfahl Maßnahmen zur Entlastung des Rückens.
   (The doctor recommended measures for the relief of the back. - Accusative Singular, often used with 'zur' = zu der)
5. Die Regierung plant steuerliche Entlastungen für Familien.
   (The government is planning tax reliefs for families. - Accusative Plural)

💡 When to use Entlastung?

Entlastung is used in various contexts to express a reduction in pressure or burden:

• At work: Talking about workload reduction, easing of tasks, or stress relief. "Hiring an assistant means a great Entlastung (relief)."
• In medicine: Describing the alleviation of pain or symptoms, often through rest or specific measures. "Elevating the leg serves for Entlastung (relief)."
• In finance: Referring to financial relief, e.g., through tax breaks or subsidies. "Child benefit represents an important Entlastung (relief)."
• In law: Formal discharge from responsibility or guilt, e.g., the discharge of a board member or CEO after accounts have been audited (Entlastung des Vorstands).
• Psychologically/Emotionally: The feeling of relief after a stressful situation. "Talking to my friend was a real Entlastung (relief)."
• Technically/Infrastructure: Measures to reduce load on structures or systems. "The new bridge leads to Entlastung (relief) of the old route."

Distinction from similar words:

• Erleichterung: Often synonymous, but emphasizes the subjective feeling of relief more. Entlastung is often more concrete, referring to the cause of the burden.
• Befreiung: Stronger than Entlastung, often implying the end of captivity or coercion.

🧠 Mnemonics for Entlastung

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are overwhelmingly feminine (die). Think of the die ending rhyming with 'she' - SHE feels relief. So it's die Entlastung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: Ent-lastung. The prefix ent- often means 'away' or 'removal' (like in entfernen - to remove). Last sounds like 'last' or 'load'. So, you are taking the load away. Removing the load = Entlastung (relief, unburdening).

↔️ Opposites and Synonyms

⚠️ Note: Words like Beladung (loading) or Aufladung (charging) are not direct antonyms, though they describe adding a load. The most precise antonym is Belastung.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seinen neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie schon Erfahrung mit Stressbewältigung und Entlastungsstrategien?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Aber sicher! Ich habe drei Kinder und einen Hund! Das ist tägliche Entlastung – für die anderen!"

(Translation: The boss asks his new employee: "Do you have experience with stress management and relief strategies?"
The employee replies: "Absolutely! I have three kids and a dog! That's daily relief – for everyone else!")

✍️ Poem about Entlastung

Die Schultern schwer, der Kopf voll Sorgen,
Gedanken kreisen bis zum Morgen.
Doch dann ein Wort, ein guter Rat,
Ein Freund, der hilft mit frischer Tat.

Die Last wird leicht, der Druck entweicht,
Ein tiefes Atmen, das erreicht
Das Herz, das nun viel freier schlägt,
Entlastung hat den Stein bewegt.

(Translation:)
Shoulders heavy, head full of worries,
Thoughts circle until the morning.
But then a word, some good advice,
A friend who helps with fresh action nice.

The load gets light, the pressure flees,
A deep breath taken, that reaches
The heart, that now beats much more free,
Relief has moved the stone for me.

🧩 Riddle

Ich nehme dir die Schwere,
Ob Arbeit, Schmerz, Beschwere.
Im Recht befrei' ich von der Schuld,
Der Vorstand dankt mir mit Geduld.
Auf Straßen lenk' ich den Verkehr,
Mach' manches Leben leichter sehr.

Was bin ich, stets feminin und nett?

(Translation:)
I take away your heaviness,
Be it work, pain, or distress.
In law, I free you from the blame,
The board thanks me with patient fame.
On roads, I manage traffic flow,
Make many lives much lighter go.

What am I, always feminine and kind?

(Answer: die Entlastung - the relief/discharge)

ℹ️ More Tidbits

Word Composition:

The word "Entlastung" is composed of:

• ent-: A prefix often indicating reversal, removal, or the beginning of a process (here: removal).
• Last: The noun for a burden, weight, or responsibility.
• -ung: A suffix that forms nouns from verbs (here from the verb entlasten), usually describing a process or state. These nouns are almost always feminine.

Related Verb: The corresponding verb is entlasten (to relieve, to unburden, to discharge). Example: "Ich muss dich bei dieser Aufgabe etwas entlasten." (I need to relieve you a bit with this task.)