die  Eröffnung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛɐ̯ˈʔœfnuŋ/

🚪 What exactly is an Eröffnung?

The noun die Eröffnung (feminine) refers to several concepts in German, all related to a beginning or access:

• The act of opening: This can be meant literally (e.g., die Eröffnung einer Tür - the opening of a door, or eines Pakets - of a package) or figuratively (e.g., die Eröffnung eines Kontos - the opening of an account).
• Inauguration or start of an event/institution: The ceremonial commissioning or the beginning of something new, like die Eröffnung eines Geschäfts (a shop opening), einer Ausstellung (an exhibition), einer Konferenz (a conference), or eines Festivals (a festival).
• The beginning of a process or game: Especially in chess, "die Eröffnung" refers to the first moves of a game. The start of a debate or negotiation can also be called an Eröffnung.
• An opening or a vacant position: Less commonly, it can mean a physical aperture or a job vacancy (eine berufliche Eröffnung), although other words like Öffnung or Stelle are more common here.

Since the word ends in "-ung", it's typically feminine and takes the article die. 🚨 There are no variants with other articles.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Eröffnung" in Detail

"Die Eröffnung" is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

1. Die Eröffnung des neuen Museums war ein großer Erfolg. (The opening of the new museum was a great success.)
2. Wir warten auf die Eröffnung der Sitzung. (We are waiting for the opening of the meeting.)
3. Der Bürgermeister sprach bei der feierlichen Eröffnung des Parks. (The mayor spoke at the ceremonial opening of the park.)
4. Im Schach entscheidet oft schon die Wahl der richtigen Eröffnung. (In chess, the choice of the right opening often decides the game early on.)
5. Viele Geschäfte locken zur Eröffnung mit Sonderangeboten. (Many shops attract customers with special offers for their opening.)

💬 When to use "die Eröffnung"?

"Die Eröffnung" is used in various contexts:

• Events & Celebrations: Very common in connection with the start of something new, often with a ceremonial character. Example: die Eröffnung einer Kunstausstellung (Vernissage - the opening of an art exhibition), die Eröffnung eines Volksfestes (the opening of a folk festival).
• Business & Commerce: The commissioning of a new shop, branch, or factory. Example: die Eröffnung eines Supermarktes (the opening of a supermarket).
• Formal Contexts: The beginning of a meeting, conference, or debate. Often there is an official "Eröffnung" by a specific person. Example: die Eröffnung der Generalversammlung (the opening of the general assembly).
• Games (esp. Chess): Refers to the initial phase of a game. Example: die Sizilianische Eröffnung (the Sicilian Defense/Opening).
• Finance: Setting up an account or deposit. Example: die Eröffnung eines Girokontos (the opening of a current account).

Distinction: While "Öffnung" often describes the physical state of being open or a gap (die Öffnung in der Wand - the opening in the wall), "Eröffnung" emphasizes the act of opening or the commencement or inauguration.

🧠 Mnemonics for Eröffnung

For the Article: Words ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of other "-ung" words you might know: die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Bedeutung (the meaning) – and die Eröffnung. It's part of the "-ung" gang, which is female!

For the Meaning: Imagine someone making an ERnest EFfort (Eröff-) to open something UP (-öffnung sounds like opening). This effort results in the *opening* ceremony or the *beginning* of something.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Potential Confusion

• Öffnung: Often refers to a physical gap, aperture, or the state of being open (e.g., Türöffnung - door opening), whereas Eröffnung emphasizes the act, ceremony, or commencement.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Mathematiker das neue Geschäft eröffnet?

(Why did the mathematician open the new shop?)

Weil er hoffte, viele unbekannte Größen als Kunden zu gewinnen!

(Because he hoped to gain many 'unknown quantities' [variables / important people] as customers!)

✍️ Poem about the Eröffnung

Die Türen auf, das Band zerschnitten klar,
Die Eröffnung, sie ist nun endlich da.
Ein neuer Anfang, voller Glanz und Licht,
Ein Start ins Neue, ein schönes Gesicht.
Ob Laden, Festspiel oder Galerie,
Der erste Schritt, voll Hoffnung und Magie.

(Doors open, the ribbon cut clear,
The opening, it's finally here.
A new beginning, full of shine and light,
A start into the new, a lovely sight.
Be it shop, festival or gallery,
The first step, full of hope and magic.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Anfang, oft mit Glanz und Fest,
Bin bei Geschäften, Museen und beim Schachtest.
Manchmal mit Rede, Band und Sekt im Glas,
Ich markiere den Start, bring allen Spaß (oder Ernst).

Was bin ich?

(I am a beginning, often with glamour and celebration,
I'm found at shops, museums, and chess test situations.
Sometimes with speech, ribbon, and champagne in glass,
I mark the start, bringing fun (or seriousness) to the mass.

What am I?)

Solution: die Eröffnung (the opening)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition

"Die Eröffnung" is composed of:

• The prefix er-: often indicates a beginning or result (as in erblühen - to blossom, erreichen - to reach/achieve).
• The verb stem öffn-: from the verb "öffnen" (to open).
• The suffix -ung: used to form nouns from verbs, typically creating feminine nouns that denote a process or result.

So: öffnen (to open) → Eröffnung (the process or result of opening/commencing).