die
Ernennung
📜 What does 'die Ernennung' mean?
Die Ernennung (noun, feminine) refers to the formal act by which someone is officially appointed to an office, position, or function. It signifies an official appointment or nomination.
- Meaning 1: The process of formally installing someone into an office or position (e.g., die Ernennung zum Minister - the appointment as minister).
- Meaning 2: The document or certificate confirming this appointment (e.g., seine Ernennungsurkunde entgegennehmen - to receive one's certificate of appointment).
🚨 Because the word ends in -ung, it is grammatically feminine (die Ernennung). This is a very common rule for nouns ending in -ung in German.
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 Ernennung' in Detail
The noun 'Ernennung' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Ernennung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Ernennung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Ernennung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Ernennung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ernennungen |
| Genitive | der | Ernennungen |
| Dative | den | Ernennungen |
| Accusative | die | Ernennungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Ernennung des neuen Direktors wurde gestern bekannt gegeben.
(The appointment of the new director was announced yesterday.) - Wir gratulieren Ihnen herzlich zu Ihrer Ernennung.
(We sincerely congratulate you on your appointment.) - Nach langen Verhandlungen erfolgte die Ernennung der Minister.
(After long negotiations, the appointment of the ministers took place.) - Er erhielt seine Ernennungsurkunde direkt vom Präsidenten.
(He received his certificate of appointment directly from the president.)
💡 How to use 'Ernennung'?
The term 'Ernennung' is primarily used in formal and official contexts.
- Professional: When filling management positions, promotions to high offices (e.g., Ernennung zum Abteilungsleiter - appointment as head of department).
- Political/Legal: When appointing ministers, judges, ambassadors, or other officials (e.g., die Ernennung eines Richters am Bundesgerichtshof - the appointment of a judge to the Federal Court of Justice).
- Academic: When appointing professors (e.g., Ernennung zum Professor auf Lebenszeit - appointment as professor for life).
Distinction: An 'Einstellung' (hiring) is often less formal and refers to the start of a regular employment relationship, whereas an 'Ernennung' represents an official, often ceremonial act for a special position.
🧠 Mnemonics for Ernennung
Article Mnemonic: Remember that German nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Think of an appointment ending in '-ent', and the German equivalent Ernennung ending in '-ung'. Since '-ung' signals die, it's die Ernennung.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from 'er-nennen' (to appoint, to name). When someone is 'ernannt', their name ('Nenn-') is officially put forward ('er-') for a position. So, the Ernennung is the official 'naming' or appointment.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Die Berufung: (appointment, calling) Often used in academic or ecclesiastical contexts.
- Die Bestellung: (appointment, order) More common in business or administrative contexts (e.g., Bestellung zum Geschäftsführer - appointment as managing director).
- Die Nominierung / Die Nominierung: (nomination) Often refers to the proposal for a position, preceding the actual appointment.
- Die Einsetzung: (installation, appointment) A more general term for installing someone in a function.
- Die Bestallung: (appointment, commission) A somewhat dated, formal term, often used in civil service law.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Die Abberufung: (recall, dismissal) The removal from an office or function.
- Die Entlassung: (dismissal, discharge) The termination of employment or service.
- Die Suspendierung: (suspension) Temporary removal from office.
- Der Rücktritt: (resignation) Voluntarily stepping down from a position.
⚠️ Note: 'Die Einstellung' (hiring) is not a direct synonym, as it's usually less formal.
😄 A little Joke
Warum war der Bleistift so stolz auf seine Ernennung zum Chefzeichner?
Weil er endlich die richtige Spitze für den Job hatte! 😉
(Why was the pencil so proud of its appointment as chief drawer? Because it finally had the right point/tip for the job!)
✍️ Poem about Appointment
Ein Brief kommt an, mit Siegel drauf,
Beendet ist der Wartelauf.
Die Ernennung, schwarz auf weiß,
Beginnt nun eine neue Reis'.
Verantwortung, ein Amt, ein Rang,
Ein neuer Schritt, ein neuer Klang.
(A letter arrives, with a seal on it,
The waiting period is over.
The appointment, black on white,
Now begins a new journey.
Responsibility, an office, a rank,
A new step, a new sound.)
❓ Riddle
Ich bin ein Akt, ganz offiziell,
mach' jemanden zum Chef ganz schnell.
Bin oft auf Papier, mit Unterschrift,
werd' feierlich, wenn man mich trifft.
Ich ende auf '-ung' und bin feminin.
Was bin ich?
(I am an act, very official,
I make someone a boss very quickly.
I'm often on paper, with a signature,
I become solemn when you encounter me.
I end in '-ung' and am feminine.
What am I?)
(Solution: die Ernennung)
🧩 Further Details
Word Formation:
- The word 'Ernennung' is a nominalization of the verb ernennen (to appoint).
- er- (prefix, often indicating completion or achievement) + nennen (to name, call) + -ung (suffix used to form feminine nouns denoting a process or result).
Context: Appointments (Ernennungen) are often significant events in public life and within organizations, frequently accompanied by ceremonies or official announcements.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ernennung?
The word "Ernennung" is feminine. The correct article is die Ernennung. It refers to the official act of appointing someone to an office or position.