die  Ermittlung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈmɪtlʊŋ/

🕵️‍♀️ What does "die Ermittlung" mean?

Die Ermittlung (noun, feminine) refers to the process of researching, investigating, determining, or ascertaining something to find out information, facts, or the truth. It's used in various contexts:

• Police/Legal: The systematic collection of evidence and information in a criminal case or legal matter (e.g., die polizeiliche Ermittlung - the police investigation).
• Scientific/Technical: The determination or calculation of values, data, or results through research or measurement (e.g., die Ermittlung von Messwerten - the determination of measured values).
• General: The act of finding out or ascertaining something unknown or uncertain (e.g., die Ermittlung der Ursache - the determination of the cause).

⚠️ Important: Although often used in the plural (die Ermittlungen) when referring to the entire investigation process or multiple investigative actions, the basic noun is feminine singular: die Ermittlung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Die Ermittlung

The noun "Ermittlung" is feminine. The article is die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

1. Die Ermittlung der Polizei dauert noch an.
   (The police investigation is still ongoing.)
2. Die Ergebnisse der Ermittlung wurden gestern veröffentlicht.
   (The results of the investigation were published yesterday.)
3. Der Anwalt widmete sich der Ermittlung neuer Fakten.
   (The lawyer dedicated himself to the determination of new facts.)
4. Der Staatsanwalt leitete die Ermittlung ein.
   (The prosecutor initiated the investigation.)
5. Die Ermittlungen gestalteten sich schwierig.
   (The investigations proved difficult.)
6. Man wartet auf den Abschluss der Ermittlungen.
   (People are waiting for the conclusion of the investigations.)
7. Dank den umfassenden Ermittlungen konnte der Täter gefasst werden.
   (Thanks to the extensive investigations, the perpetrator could be caught.)
8. Die Behörden haben die Ermittlungen ausgeweitet.
   (The authorities have expanded the investigations.)

💡 Usage and Context: When to use "Ermittlung"?

"Die Ermittlung" is a rather formal word, primarily used in official, technical, or legal contexts. Here are typical use cases:

• Law Enforcement: When police or prosecutors investigate a case. Example: "Die Ermittlungen im Fall des Banküberfalls laufen auf Hochtouren." (The investigations into the bank robbery case are in full swing.)
• Science & Research: When data is collected, values are calculated, or causes are researched. Example: "Die Ermittlung der genauen Schadstoffkonzentration erforderte mehrere Messreihen." (The determination of the exact pollutant concentration required several series of measurements.)
• Administration & Authorities: When an authority examines a matter or gathers information. Example: "Die Ermittlung des Anspruchs auf Sozialleistungen kann einige Wochen dauern." (The determination of eligibility for social benefits can take several weeks.)
• Business: For needs assessment (Bedarfsermittlung), pricing (Preisermittlung), or market analysis. Example: "Die Ermittlung der Kundenzufriedenheit ist für uns sehr wichtig." (Determining customer satisfaction is very important to us.)

Distinction from similar words:

• Untersuchung: Often synonymous, but can be broader (e.g., a medical examination - medizinische Untersuchung). "Ermittlung" often emphasizes the goal of finding something specific (facts, perpetrators, values).
• Nachforschung: Similar, but often emphasizes searching for pre-existing, perhaps hidden, information.
• Recherche: Mostly refers to gathering information from sources like books, the internet, etc., often in journalism or academia.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article (die)

Think of the typical German noun ending -ung! Nouns ending in "-ung" (like die Meinung - opinion, die Lösung - solution, die Hoffnung - hope) are almost always feminine. So: it's die Ermittlung. Imagine a female detective (die Detektivin) doing her work - she (die) conducts die Ermittlung.

Remembering the Meaning (Investigation, Determination)

"Er-MITTL-ung" sounds a bit like getting to the MIDDLE (Mitte) of something. An investigation aims to get to the core or the middle of the matter, to deterMINE the facts. It's about bringing clarity through investigation.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Potential Confusion:

• Mitteilung: Means 'communication', 'message' or 'notice', not 'investigation'. Sounds vaguely similar but has a completely different meaning.
• Vermittlung: Means 'mediation', 'placement' or 'agency' (e.g., job placement - Arbeitsvermittlung). Don't confuse with 'Ermittlung'!

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Warum haben Sie die Parkuhr aufgebrochen?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, die Parkuhr hat doch mit der Ermittlung angefangen! Sie hat ständig 'Tick-Tack' gemacht und mich verdächtigt!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Why did you break open the parking meter?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, the parking meter started the investigation! It kept going 'Tick-Tock' and suspecting me!"

📜 Poem about Ermittlung

Im Dunkeln liegt ein Rätsel schwer,
die Wahrheit zu finden, ist oft nicht fair.
Doch Schritt für Schritt, mit scharfem Blick,
beginnt die Ermittlung, Stück für Stück.

Man sucht nach Spuren, prüft jedes Wort,
an diesem geheimnisvollen Ort.
Bis Klarheit siegt, das Dunkel weicht,
die Arbeit der Ermittlung ist erreicht.

Translation:
In darkness lies a heavy riddle,
finding the truth is often not fair fiddle.
But step by step, with a keen eye's trick,
begins the investigation, bit by bit.

One seeks for traces, checks every word,
at this mysterious place, unheard.
Until clarity wins, the darkness subdued,
the work of the investigation is accrued.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch suche nach der Wahrheit.
Ich habe keine Augen, doch bringe Licht in die Klarheit.
Polizei und Forscher nutzen mich im Nu,
um Fakten zu finden, was bin ich, sag du?

Translation:
I have no mouth, yet seek the truth.
I have no eyes, yet bring light forsooth.
Police and researchers use me right away,
to find the facts, what am I, say?

Lösung / Solution: die Ermittlung (the investigation / determination)

💡 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

• The word "Ermittlung" is a noun derived from the verb ermitteln (to investigate, determine, ascertain).
• The ending -ung is used to form nouns from verbs, describing the process or result of the action (e.g., hoffen -> die Hoffnung (hope), lösen -> die Lösung (solution)).
• Nouns ending in "-ung" are typically feminine (hence "die Ermittlung").

Trivia:

• The term Ermittlungsverfahren is a key concept in German criminal procedure law, referring to the preliminary investigation stage before potential charges are filed.