die
Erledigung
✅ What does 'die Erledigung' mean?
The noun die Erledigung (feminine) describes the act or result of completing, handling, processing, or settling a task, job, matter, or formality. It signifies the state of something being finished, concluded, or resolved.
Imagine you have a long to-do list. Every time you check off an item, you've achieved an Erledigung!
It's directly derived from the verb erledigen (to take care of, to complete).
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 Erledigung' in Detail
The word „Erledigung“ is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in „-ung“ are almost always feminine in German.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Erledigung |
| Genitive | der | Erledigung |
| Dative | der | Erledigung |
| Accusative | die | Erledigung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Erledigungen |
| Genitive | der | Erledigungen |
| Dative | den | Erledigungen |
| Accusative | die | Erledigungen |
Example Sentences 📝
- Die schnelle Erledigung meiner Aufgaben hat den Chef beeindruckt.
(The quick completion of my tasks impressed the boss.) - Bitte kümmern Sie sich um die sofortige Erledigung dieser Angelegenheit.
(Please take care of the immediate handling of this matter.) - Nach Erledigung aller Formalitäten konnten wir endlich starten.
(After completion of all formalities, we could finally start.) - Im Büro stapeln sich die unerledigten Erledigungen.
(Unfinished tasks/matters are piling up in the office.)
Context: When to use 'Erledigung'?
The term „Erledigung“ is often used in formal and professional contexts, but also in everyday life:
- At work: Tasks, assignments, correspondence (e.g., „die Erledigung der Post“ - handling the mail, „die Erledigung eines Projekts“ - completion of a project).
- In administration/bureaucracy: Applications, formalities, files (e.g., „die Erledigung eines Antrags“ - processing of an application).
- In daily life: Errands, household chores (e.g., „die Erledigung der Einkäufe“ - doing the shopping, „die Erledigung des Abwaschs“ - doing the dishes – here it can sound a bit formal; using the gerund „das Erledigen“ is often more natural).
Sometimes, „Erledigung“ can also have a slightly negative connotation, meaning 'dispatch' or 'dealing with something quickly without much care'.
Distinction: While Aufgabe or Auftrag refer to what needs to be done, Erledigung refers to the act of doing it or the result.
🧠 Mnemonics for Erledigung
For the article 'die': Words ending in -ung are ladies! Think of „die Einladung“ (invitation), „die Zeitung“ (newspaper), „die Lösung“ (solution) – and „die Erledigung“. They are all feminine. Remember: -ung is die!
For the meaning: Imagine you are getting *rid* (or *ledig*) of a task on your list - that's the Er-LEDIG-ung. Or think of an LED light (LED-igung) flashing when a task is *done*.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Abschluss: (completion, conclusion) - emphasizes the end.
- Durchführung: (execution, carrying out) - emphasizes the process.
- Bearbeitung: (processing, handling) - often used for applications/files.
- Vollendung: (consummation, perfection) - emphasizes complete finishing.
- Abwicklung: (handling, settlement) - often for business transactions.
⚠️ Caution: Besorgung usually refers to errands like shopping or fetching things, while Erledigung is more general for tasks.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: „Haben Sie schon die Post zur Erledigung gebracht?“
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: „Nein, Chef, ich dachte, die wird hier erledigt!“
(Translation: The boss asks the new employee: „Have you taken the mail to be handled/dealt with?“
The employee replies: „No, boss, I thought it gets handled/dealt with here!“ - It's a slight play on words, as 'erledigt werden' can mean 'to be handled/processed' but colloquially also 'to be done for/finished off'.)
📜 A Poem about Completion
Die Liste lang, der Tag wird knapp,
Doch jede Erledigung bringt Kraft.
Ein Haken hier, ein Strich dort klar,
So wird die Last ganz wunderbar
Stets kleiner, bis am End' der Zeit
Nur Ruhe herrscht und Zufriedenheit.
(Translation: The list is long, the day grows short, / But every completion brings new force. / A check mark here, a line drawn clear, / Thus the burden, wonderfully / Grows ever smaller, till time's end / Only peace and satisfaction extend.)
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin das Ende einer Müh',
Mal groß, mal klein, mal spät, mal früh.
Man hakt mich ab, dann ist man frei,
Was bin ich wohl? Na, eins, zwei, drei?
(Translation: I am the end of an effort's plight, / Sometimes big, sometimes small, sometimes late, sometimes bright. / You check me off, then you are free, / What could I be? Well, one, two, three?)
(Solution: Die Erledigung - The completion/handling)
✨ Other Information
Word Formation: The word „Erledigung“ is formed by nominalizing the verb erledigen (to complete, handle) by adding the suffix -ung. The prefix er- often indicates a result or achieving a state (as in erreichen - to reach, erfüllen - to fulfill).
Fixed Phrases:
- etwas zur Erledigung bringen/führen: to bring something to completion, to see something through.
- nach Erledigung: after completion.
- eine Sache findet ihre Erledigung: a matter is settled/concluded.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Erledigung?
The noun "Erledigung" is always feminine. The correct article is die Erledigung. It refers to the completion, handling, or processing of a task or matter.