die  Errichtung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛʁˈʁɪçtʊŋ/

🏗️ What does 'die Errichtung' mean?

Die Errichtung is a feminine noun referring to the act of erecting, establishing, or constructing something. It can relate to several contexts:

• Construction: The building or setting up of structures like buildings, walls, monuments, etc. (e.g., die Errichtung eines Hauses - the construction of a house).
• Foundation/Establishment: The founding or creation of institutions, organizations, foundations, or even abstract concepts like a regime. (e.g., die Errichtung einer Stiftung - the establishment of a foundation, die Errichtung einer Diktatur - the establishment of a dictatorship).
• Setting up: The act of putting something up, like a statue or scaffolding.

The word derives from the verb errichten (to erect, establish). The suffix -ung, common in German, signals that it's a feminine noun and often describes a process or its result.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Errichtung

The noun Errichtung is always feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always die.

Declension:

📝 Example Sentences

• Die Errichtung des neuen Museums dauerte drei Jahre. (The construction of the new museum took three years.)
• Wir gedenken der Errichtung des Denkmals vor 100 Jahren. (We commemorate the establishment of the monument 100 years ago.)
• Der Bürgermeister stimmte der Errichtung einer neuen Schule zu. (The mayor agreed to the establishment of a new school.)
• Der Stadtrat plant die Errichtung weiterer Windräder. (The city council is planning the erection of further wind turbines.)
• Die verschiedenen Errichtungen von Tochtergesellschaften wurden im Bericht erwähnt. (The various establishments of subsidiaries were mentioned in the report.)

✅ Context and Usage of 'Errichtung'

Die Errichtung is often used in formal or official contexts, particularly related to:

• Construction projects: Die Errichtung der Brücke war technisch anspruchsvoll. (The construction of the bridge was technically demanding.)
• Founding organizations: Die Errichtung der Europäischen Union war ein historischer Schritt. (The establishment of the European Union was a historical step.)
• Legal or political acts: Die Errichtung einer Vormundschaft. (The establishment of a guardianship.)
• Historical events: Die Errichtung der Berliner Mauer. (The erection of the Berlin Wall.)

Comparison with similar words:

• Aufbau: Often refers to the process of (re)building or the structure of something. (Der Aufbau nach dem Krieg. - The reconstruction after the war.)
• Gründung: Focuses more on the starting point, especially for companies or organizations. (Die Gründung eines Start-ups. - The founding of a start-up.)
• Einrichtung: Can refer to creating an institution, but also to furniture or fitting out a room. (Die Einrichtung des Büros. - The setup/furnishing of the office.)

Errichtung emphasizes the formal act of creating or building something new, often something large-scale or permanent.

💡 Mnemonics for Errichtung

For the article (die): Remember the rule: words ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. Think of the English word "ending" having a "-ung" sound: die Endung -> die Errichtung.

For the meaning (erection/establishment): Think of the English word "erection". Errichtung sounds similar and has a very close meaning, especially in the context of building something upright. You *erect* a building – man *errichtet* ein Gebäude.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: Synonyms are not always interchangeable. "Errichtung" often sounds more formal and refers to larger, more permanent projects than, for example, "Erstellung".

😂 A Little Joke

Deutsch: Fragt der Architekt den Bauherrn: "Wann ist denn die feierliche Errichtung des Dachstuhls geplant?" Antwortet der Bauherr: "Gleich nach der plötzlichen Errichtung meines Kontostands!"

English: The architect asks the client: "So when is the ceremonial erection of the roof truss planned?" The client replies: "Right after the sudden erection of my bank balance!"

📜 Poem about Errichtung

Deutsch:
Stein auf Stein, mit Plan und Kraft,
wird Großes hier zur Tat geschafft.
Ob Haus, ob Turm, ob Monument,
die Errichtung man's am Ende nennt.

Auch Geistiges, mit Sinn und Zweck,
find't durch Gründung seinen Fleck.
Ein neuer Bund, ein Institut,
die Errichtung tut der Zukunft gut.

English Translation:
Stone on stone, with plan and might,
Great things are brought into the light.
Be it house, or tower, or monument grand,
The erection/establishment it's called throughout the land.

Also the mental, with purpose and aim,
Finds through founding its place and its name.
A new alliance, an institute true,
The establishment serves the future anew.

❓ Little Riddle

Deutsch:
Ich bin der Anfang, groß und fest,
geboren aus Idee und Test.
Ob Stein auf Stein, ob Satzung klar,
ich mache Neues sichtbar, wahr.
Mit '-ung' am End' und feminin,
was bin ich wohl? Gib mir 'nen Sinn!

English Translation:
I am the beginning, large and sound,
Born from ideas on tested ground.
Whether stone on stone, or statutes clear,
I make new things visible and dear.
With '-ung' at the end and feminine lean,
What might I be? What do I mean?

(Answer: die Errichtung)

🧩 Word Composition & More

Word Breakdown:

The word "Errichtung" is composed of:

• The prefix er-: This prefix often indicates the result of an action or the beginning of a process (compare erbauen - to build, erreichen - to reach/achieve, erkennen - to recognize).
• The stem of the verb richten: Here meaning something like 'to set up', 'to align', 'to direct'.
• The suffix -ung: Turns the verb into a noun, denotes the process or result, and makes the noun feminine.

Interesting Fact: While the base verb "richten" has many meanings (to judge, to repair, to direct/aim), the prefixed verb "errichten" specifically focuses on the meaning of building, erecting, or establishing.