die  Entsprechung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛntˈʃpʁɛçʊŋ/

📖 What does "die Entsprechung" mean?

Die Entsprechung (noun, feminine) refers to a correspondence, similarity, or equivalent between two or more things, concepts, or values. It expresses that something corresponds to, is equivalent to, or stands in a comparable relationship to something else.

Main meanings:

• Correspondence / Match: A relationship where elements on both sides can be mapped to each other (e.g., die deutsche Entsprechung - the German equivalent - of an English word).
• Equivalent / Countervalue: Something that is equal in function, value, or meaning (e.g., eine finanzielle Entsprechung - financial compensation - for work performed).
• Analogy / Parallel: A structural or functional similarity between otherwise different systems or situations.

Because the word ends in -ung, the article is typically die. There are no other articles for this word. ⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with Versprechung (promise).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Entsprechung

The noun "Entsprechung" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Wir suchen noch die passende Entsprechung für dieses Fachwort im Spanischen. (We are still looking for the appropriate equivalent for this technical term in Spanish.)
2. Die Bedeutung der kulturellen Entsprechungen wurde in der Studie untersucht. (The significance of the cultural correspondences was examined in the study.)
3. Mit dieser Geste wollte er seiner Dankbarkeit Entsprechung verleihen. (With this gesture, he wanted to give expression to his gratitude. / ...lend correspondence to his gratitude.)
4. Ich sehe keine direkte Entsprechung zwischen den beiden Situationen. (I see no direct parallel/correspondence between the two situations.)

💡 How to use "Entsprechung"

"Entsprechung" is often used to express relationships of equivalence, similarity, or correspondence.

• In language comparison: When looking for a word or phrase in another language. Example: Was ist die englische Entsprechung für 'Gemütlichkeit'? (What is the English equivalent for 'Gemütlichkeit'?)
• In formal / academic contexts: To describe analogies or structural similarities. Example: Die Flügel eines Vogels und die Flossen eines Fisches sind keine direkten Entsprechungen, erfüllen aber ähnliche Funktionen in ihrem Medium. (The wings of a bird and the fins of a fish are not direct equivalents, but they perform similar functions in their respective media.)
• In legal or financial contexts: When referring to a countervalue or compensation. Example: Der Geschädigte erhielt eine finanzielle Entsprechung für den erlittenen Schaden. (The injured party received financial compensation for the damage suffered.)
• Set phrases: Often with prepositions like "in Entsprechung zu" (corresponding to) or "eine Entsprechung finden" (to find an equivalent/parallel). Example: Sein Verhalten fand keine Entsprechung in den Regeln. (His behavior found no correspondence in the rules. / His behavior did not correspond to the rules.)

Confusion is rare as the context usually makes the meaning clear. It's more abstract than 'Gegenstück' (counterpart) and more formal than 'Äquivalent' (equivalent).

🧠 Mnemonics for Entsprechung

1. Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. Think of: die Einladung (invitation), die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope)... and therefore also die Entsprechung. The -ung ending calls for "die"!
2. Meaning Mnemonic: Think of "ent-sprechen" (to correspond). Something speaks for ('sprechen') something else, it stands in its place, it's its counterpart or equivalent. The Entsprechung is the thing that matches this 'speaking for something else'.

Imagine two concepts having a conversation ('sprechen') and finding they are very similar - they find a correspondence ('Entsprechung') between them.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words: Be careful with Versprechung (has a completely different meaning: promise) or Anspruch (claim or right).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Mathematiker den anderen: "Was ist die weibliche Entsprechung zum Satz des Pythagoras?"
Sagt der andere: "Die Satz-ihr-runter-und-rechnet-das-gefälligst-selber-aus-Regel!" 😉

Translation:
One mathematician asks another: "What's the female equivalent (weibliche Entsprechung) of the Pythagorean theorem?"
The other says: "The Sit-yourselves-down-and-calculate-it-yourselves-rule!" 😉

📜 A Poem about Equivalence

Ein Wort hier, ein Begriff dort,
sucht an einem fernen Ort,
nach dem Sinn, der ihm verwandt,
in einem unbekannten Land.

Die Entsprechung, klar und rein,
soll des Rätsels Lösung sein.
Ein Spiegelbild, ein Echolaut,
das Vertrauen schafft, vertraut.

Ob Zahl, ob Form, ob Klang, ob Sicht,
sie bringt die Dinge ins Gewicht.
Findet sie, was gleich und wahr,
wird manches Dunkel offenbar.

Translation:
A word here, a concept there,
seeks in a place far away,
for the meaning related to it,
in an unknown land.

The equivalent, clear and pure,
shall be the riddle's solution.
A mirror image, an echo's sound,
that builds trust, familiar ground.

Whether number, shape, or sound, or sight,
it brings things into proper weight.
If it finds what's same and true,
much darkness comes clearly into view.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin kein Zwilling, doch oft gleich.
Ich mache Fremdes dir zum Reich.
In Sprachen wohn' ich, Zahl und Norm,
bring' Ungleiches in gleiche Form.
Man sucht mich, wenn man überbrückt,
was auf den ersten Blick missglückt.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I'm not a twin, but often the same.
I make the foreign your domain.
In languages I dwell, number, and norm,
I bring the unlike into equal form.
People seek me when they bridge the gap,
Of what seems mismatched on the map.

What am I?
Solution: die Entsprechung (the correspondence/equivalent)

🧩 Further Details

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word "Entsprechung" is a noun derived from the verb "entsprechen" (to correspond). The structure is:

• Prefix: ent- (often indicating separation, reversal, or beginning; here in the sense of 'emerging from something')
• Stem: sprech- (from the verb "sprechen" - to speak)
• Suffix: -ung (forms feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result)

So, the basic idea is that something 'speaks to' or 'answers' something else, thus corresponding to it or matching it.

Cultural Aspect: The search for Entsprechungen (equivalents, correspondences) is a fundamental human activity for understanding the world, recognizing patterns, and establishing connections – whether in science, art, or daily life.