die  Errungenschaft

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛʁˈʁʊŋn̩ʃaft/

🎯 What does 'die Errungenschaft' mean?

Die Errungenschaft (feminine noun) refers to a significant achievement or accomplishment, often obtained through effort, work, or research. It represents something positive, a step forward, or a success one can be proud of. It can relate to technical, scientific, artistic, or personal successes.

Essentially, an Errungenschaft is something that has been errungen – meaning won or achieved through struggle or effort.

🚨 This word only uses one article: die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: die Errungenschaft

The word "Errungenschaft" is a feminine noun. Its declension is as follows:

💡 Example Sentences:

1. Die Erfindung des Internets war eine bahnbrechende Errungenschaft.
   (The invention of the internet was a groundbreaking achievement.)
2. Wir feiern die wissenschaftlichen Errungenschaften des letzten Jahrzehnts.
   (We celebrate the scientific accomplishments of the last decade.)
3. Ihre persönlichen Errungenschaften im Sport sind bemerkenswert.
   (Her personal achievements in sports are remarkable.)
4. Diese technologische Errungenschaft wird die Industrie verändern.
   (This technological accomplishment will change the industry.)

💬 How to Use 'Errungenschaft'

"Errungenschaft" is typically used in the context of significant, positive developments or successes. It carries a slightly formal or elevated connotation and often emphasizes the effort or breakthrough that led to the result.

• Context: Often found in reports about science, technology, art, history, or when acknowledging personal achievements.
• Comparison:
  • Erfolg (success): More general, can be smaller. An Errungenschaft is usually a larger, more significant success.
  • Leistung (performance, achievement): Emphasizes the action or accomplishment itself more. An Errungenschaft is often the tangible result of a Leistung.
  • Fortschritt (progress): Refers to development over time. An Errungenschaft can be an important step within that progress.
• Typical Adjectives: große (great), wichtige (important), technische (technical), wissenschaftliche (scientific), menschliche (human), historische (historical) Errungenschaft.

🧠 Mnemonics for Errungenschaft

Article Mnemonic (die): Think of related feminine nouns like die Leistung (performance), die Erfindung (invention), die Entdeckung (discovery) – all often associated with achievements. Also, nouns ending in -schaft are almost always feminine (like Freundschaft, Wissenschaft).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone had to wrestle or struggle (ringen in German) hard to achieve something great. The result of this 'wrestling' or 'struggle' (Ringen) is the Er-rung-enschaft.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, Potentially Confusing Words:

• Eigenschaft (quality, characteristic, property): e.g., die Eigenschaft, wasserdicht zu sein (the property of being waterproof). Sounds somewhat similar but has a completely different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Was ist die größte Errungenschaft eines Bäckers?

Dass er jeden Morgen aufs Neue den Teig bezwingt und Brötchen daraus errungen hat!

What is a baker's greatest achievement (Errungenschaft)?

That every morning anew, he conquers the dough and has 'won' (errungen hat) rolls from it! (Pun on 'erringen' - to achieve/win through struggle)

📜 Poem about Achievement

Ein Funke zündet, Geist beginnt zu weben,
Nach Mühe, Schweiß, nach langem, zähem Streben.
Was gestern Traum, wird heute Wirklichkeit,
Die Errungenschaft besiegt die Dunkelheit.
Ein Schritt nach vorn, für Mensch und Welt ein Segen,
Auf festem Grund, auf neuen Wissenswegen.

A spark ignites, the mind begins to weave,
After effort, sweat, long striving to achieve.
What yesterday was dream, becomes reality today,
The achievement conquers darkness' sway.
A step ahead, a blessing for mankind and world,
On solid ground, new paths of knowledge unfurled.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin das Kind von Fleiß und Schweiß,
manchmal laut und manchmal leis.
Ich zeige Fortschritt, Können, Mut,
bin oft das größte, höchste Gut.
Man feiert mich mit Stolz und Glanz,
was bin ich wohl, sag's mir doch ganz?

I am the child of diligence and sweat,
Sometimes loud and sometimes quiet yet.
I show progress, skill, and bravery,
Often the greatest, highest property.
I'm celebrated with pride and glance,
What am I then, tell me perchance?

(Solution: die Errungenschaft - the achievement)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Errungenschaft" is derived from the verb "erringen" (to achieve, gain, or win through effort) using the suffix "-schaft", which is often used to form abstract feminine nouns (like Freundschaft - friendship, Wissenschaft - science).

• er- (prefix, often intensifying or indicating a result)
• ring(en) (verb: to struggle, strive, wrestle)
• -ung (suffix for nominalizing verbs, contained within the stem here)
• -schaft (suffix for forming abstract nouns)