die  Erläuterung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈlɔʏtɐʁʊŋ/

📖 What exactly is an Erläuterung?

Die Erläuterung (noun, feminine) refers to a detailed explanation or clarification intended to make something more understandable, shed light on backgrounds, or elaborate on a matter. It often goes beyond a simple Erklärung (explanation) and provides additional information, examples, or justifications.

Essentially, it's the result of the verb erläutern (to explain, to clarify, to illustrate).

There is only one article, die, for Erläuterung because it is a feminine noun (identifiable by the suffix -ung).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Erläuterung

The noun Erläuterung is feminine. Therefore, the article is always die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Professorin gab eine ausführliche Erläuterung zur Theorie. (The professor gave a detailed explanation of the theory.)
2. Ich benötige eine Erläuterung dieses komplexen Sachverhalts. (I need an explanation of this complex matter.)
3. Dank seiner Erläuterungen verstand ich das Problem besser. (Thanks to his explanations, I understood the problem better.)
4. Finden Sie weitere Erläuterungen im Anhang des Dokuments. (You can find further explanations in the appendix of the document.)

💬 When to use 'Erläuterung'?

Die Erläuterung is often used in formal written or spoken contexts where precision and clarity are important:

• Academic settings: In academic papers, lectures, textbooks (e.g., "Die Erläuterung der Methode finden Sie in Kapitel 3." - You'll find the explanation of the method in Chapter 3.)
• Professional context: In reports, presentations, instructions, meetings (e.g., "Bitte geben Sie eine kurze Erläuterung zu den Abweichungen im Budget." - Please provide a brief explanation for the budget deviations.)
• Official / Legal contexts: In legal texts, contracts, official letters (often referred to as "Anmerkungen" (notes) or "Begründungen" (justifications), but content-wise an Erläuterung).
• Everyday life: When a simple explanation isn't enough and details or background information are requested (e.g., "Kannst du mir bitte eine Erläuterung geben, warum das so gemacht wird?" - Can you please give me an explanation why this is done this way?)

Difference from 'Erklärung': While 'Erklärung' is often a simple answer to a 'Why?' question, 'Erläuterung' usually implies a more detailed, comprehensive account that shows connections.

Difference from 'Ausführung': 'Ausführung' (exposition, elaboration) can be even more detailed and extensive than an Erläuterung, often focusing on presenting a line of thought or process.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article 'die': Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. Remember: The ending (-ung) makes the thing feminine! So: die Erläuterung.

For the meaning: Think of the German word "lauter" (meaning 'clear', 'distinct'). An Er-läuter-ung makes something 'lauter' and clearer, thus more understandable. It sheds light on it! ✨ You could think: 'An Erläuterung makes things louder and clearer.'

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Words like Interpretation or Kommentar can carry a more subjective tone than the often more objective Erläuterung.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Wer kann mir den Unterschied zwischen einer Erklärung und einer Erläuterung nennen?"
Fritzchen: "Eine Erklärung ist, wenn Sie sagen, warum wir Hausaufgaben machen müssen. Eine Erläuterung ist, wenn Mama dann sagt, warum ich sie trotzdem machen muss!" 😄

Translation:
Teacher: "Who can tell me the difference between an Erklärung (explanation) and an Erläuterung (detailed explanation/clarification)?"
Little Fritz: "An Erklärung is when you say why we have to do homework. An Erläuterung is when Mom then says why I have to do it anyway!" 😄

✍️ Poem about Erläuterung

Manch Ding erscheint erst dunkel, schwer,
Ein Rätsel, das uns plagt so sehr.
Doch kommt dann klar und gut erdacht,
Die Erläuterung, bei Tag und Nacht.
Sie bringt das Licht, vertreibt den Schein,
Lässt uns den Kern der Sach' verleih'n.
Mit Worten, die wie Schlüssel sind,
Versteht man's besser, schnell und lind.

Translation:
Some things first appear dark, heavy,
A riddle that bothers us so greatly.
But then comes, clear and well-conceived,
The explanation (Erläuterung), by day and night received.
It brings the light, dispels the guise,
Lets us the core of the matter prize.
With words that are like keys so keen,
One understands it better, quick and serene.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin kein einfaches Ja und Nein,
Ich will, dass alle es versteh'n, ganz fein.
Ich bringe Klarheit, wo Verwirrung war,
Mit Details und Beispielen, wunderbar.
Man bittet oft um mich, wenn's schwierig ist.
Was bin ich, das dir Wissen misst?

Lösung: Die Erläuterung

Translation:
I am not a simple yes or no,
I want everyone to understand, just so.
I bring clarity where confusion was rife,
With details and examples, bringing things to life.
People often ask for me when things are tough.
What am I, that measures knowledge enough?

Solution: Die Erläuterung (The explanation/clarification)

🧩 Further Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Erläuterung" is composed of:

• The prefix er-: This prefix often expresses the achievement of a goal or the result of an action (as in erreichen - to reach, erklären - to explain).
• The stem of the adjective/adverb lauter: Here in the sense of 'clear', 'distinct', 'pure'. It is related to 'läutern' (to purify, refine).
• The suffix -ung: This ending forms feminine nouns from verbs and often denotes a process or its result.

It derives directly from the verb erläutern (to explain, clarify, illustrate).

Trivia: In technical documentation or software help sections, good Erläuterungen are crucial for user-friendliness.