die
Erhebung
🧐 What does "die Erhebung" mean?
The word die Erhebung is a feminine noun in German and has several meanings:
- 📈 Data collection / Survey: The systematic collection of data or information on a specific topic. Example: Eine statistische Erhebung zur Bevölkerungsentwicklung (A statistical survey on population development).
- ⛰️ Elevation / Rise: A place in the terrain that is higher than its surroundings; a small hill or mound. Example: Von der Erhebung aus hatte man einen guten Blick ins Tal (From the elevation, one had a good view into the valley).
- ✊ Uprising / Revolt: An act of resistance or rebellion against an existing authority or power. Example: Die Erhebung des Volkes gegen den Tyrannen (The uprising of the people against the tyrant).
- 💰 Levy / Collection (often taxes): The demanding or collecting of money, especially taxes or duties. Example: Die Erhebung von Zöllen an der Grenze (The levying of customs duties at the border).
- 🧘♀️ Elevation / Uplift (rarer, often spiritual/emotional): The act of lifting or rising to a higher level (physically, emotionally, spiritually). Example: Die Erhebung der Seele im Gebet (The elevation of the soul in prayer).
⚠️ Pay attention to the context to determine the correct meaning.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
📚 Grammar of "die Erhebung" in Detail
Die Erhebung is a feminine noun. Its declension follows the pattern for feminine nouns ending in '-ung'.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Erhebung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Erhebung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Erhebung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Erhebung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Erhebungen |
| Genitive | der | Erhebungen |
| Dative | den | Erhebungen |
| Accusative | die | Erhebungen |
Example Sentences
- (Data collection) Die Erhebung der Daten dauerte mehrere Wochen. (The collection of the data took several weeks.)
- (Elevation) Wir machten Rast auf einer kleinen Erhebung im Wald. (We took a break on a small elevation in the forest.)
- (Uprising) Die brutale Niederschlagung der Erhebung führte zu internationaler Kritik. (The brutal suppression of the uprising led to international criticism.)
- (Levy) Die Erhebung von Parkgebühren ist in dieser Zone neu. (The levying of parking fees is new in this zone.)
🗣️ How to use "die Erhebung"?
- Context is Key: The meaning of die Erhebung heavily depends on the context. Look for words like statistisch (statistical), geografisch (geographical), steuerlich (fiscal/tax-related), historisch (historical) to narrow down the meaning.
- Formality: Erhebung in the sense of data collection, levy, or uprising is more common in formal or official contexts (administration, science, news). In the sense of an elevation/hill, it's neutral.
- Noun vs. Verb: Don't confuse the noun die Erhebung with the verb erheben (e.g., Daten erheben - to collect data, sich erheben - to rise up, Einspruch erheben - to raise an objection).
- Typical Collocations:
- Statistische Erhebung (Statistical survey)
- Amtliche Erhebung (Official survey/census)
- Eine Erhebung durchführen/machen (To conduct/carry out a survey)
- Erhebung von Daten/Gebühren/Steuern (Collection/Levying of data/fees/taxes)
- Eine leichte Erhebung im Gelände (A slight rise in the terrain)
- Die Erhebung des Volkes/der Bauern (The uprising of the people/peasants)
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Erhebung"
Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns derived from verbs and ending in -ung (here: erheben -> Erhebung) are feminine (die). Think: die Befragung (the survey), die Sammlung (the collection), die Erhebung – they all need die (the feminine 'the')!
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have to hebe (lift/raise) data (collection = Erhebung), then hebe yourself up a hill (elevation = Erhebung), then hebe your fist (uprising = Erhebung), and finally hebe (raise/levy) taxes (levy = Erhebung). The German verb "heben" (to lift/raise) is hidden in all meanings!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Erhebung"
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- For Data collection/Survey: die Umfrage (survey), die Befragung (poll, questioning), die Untersuchung (investigation, study), die Datenerfassung (data capture), die Bestandsaufnahme (inventory, assessment)
- For Elevation: die Anhöhe (rise, hillock), der Hügel (hill), die Bodenerhebung (ground elevation), die Kuppe (summit, crest)
- For Uprising: der Aufstand (uprising, revolt), die Revolte (revolt), der Aufruhr (riot, uproar), die Rebellion (rebellion), der Putsch (coup - depending on context)
- For Levy: die Einziehung (collection), die Eintreibung (collection, enforcement), die Forderung (demand), die Steuer (tax), die Abgabe (levy, duty)
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- For Elevation: die Senke (depression, hollow), die Vertiefung (depression, dip), das Tal (valley), die Niederung (lowland)
- For Uprising: die Unterdrückung (suppression, oppression), die Unterwerfung (submission), die Kapitulation (capitulation), die Ruhe (calm, order), die Ordnung (order)
- For Levy (of taxes): der Erlass (remission, waiver), die Befreiung (exemption), die Rückerstattung (refund)
Related Terms (Caution!):
- Hebung: Similar to Erhebung (elevation), but also means improvement (Hebung des Lebensstandards - raising the standard of living).
- Erhabenheit: Refers to something grand, sublime, dignified (often abstract).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den Statistiker: "Wie läuft die neue Erhebung zur Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit?"
Sagt der Statistiker: "Sehr gut! Die Unzufriedenheit mit der Erhebung selbst ist auf einem Allzeithoch!"
Translation:
The boss asks the statistician: "How is the new survey on employee satisfaction going?"
The statistician replies: "Very well! Dissatisfaction with the survey itself is at an all-time high!"
📜 A Little Poem about Erhebung
Die Erhebung, vielgestaltig, klar:
Mal Daten sammeln, Jahr für Jahr.
Mal steht sie stolz als Hügel da,
ein Blick ins Weite, wunderbar.
Mal ist's des Volkes lauter Schrei,
gegen Unrecht, Tyrannei.
Mal fordert sie den Obolus ein,
so vielfältig kann "Erhebung" sein.
Translation:
The Erhebung, multifaceted, clear:
Sometimes collecting data, year by year.
Sometimes it stands proudly as a hill there,
a view afar, beyond compare.
Sometimes it's the people's loud cry,
against injustice, tyranny.
Sometimes it demands its fee,
so versatile can "Erhebung" be.
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich sammle Zahlen, groß und klein,
als Hügel kann ich sichtbar sein.
Ich bin der Ruf nach Freiheit, laut,
und fordre manchmal Zins und Maut.
Was bin ich?
... Die Erhebung
Translation:
I gather numbers, big and small,
As a hill, I can stand tall.
I am the call for freedom, loud,
And sometimes demand interest or toll from the crowd.
What am I?
... Die Erhebung (The survey / elevation / uprising / levy)
Fodder for the Curious: Word Components and More
Word Formation:
Die Erhebung is a noun derived from the verb erheben. The prefix er- often indicates the beginning or achievement of a state, and heben means 'to lift, to raise'. The suffix -ung turns the verb into a feminine noun describing the process or result.
- er- (prefix) + heben (verb) + -ung (suffix) = Erhebung (noun)
This structure explains the various meanings: the 'lifting' of data (collecting), the 'lifted' part of the terrain (elevation), the 'lifting oneself up' against something (uprising), or the 'lifting' of funds (levying).
Summary: is it der, die or das Erhebung?
The word "Erhebung" is always feminine. The correct article is die Erhebung. The plural is die Erhebungen.