die  Erwägung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛʁˈvɛːɡʊŋ/

🤔 What does "die Erwägung" mean?

Die Erwägung (noun, feminine) refers to the process of thinking about, examining, and weighing various aspects, possibilities, or arguments before making a decision or judgment. It can also refer to the result of this thought process.

Essentially, it's about thoroughly thinking something through and considering different sides of an issue. It translates closely to consideration or deliberation.

• Example 1: Nach reiflicher Erwägung entschied sie sich für das Studium im Ausland. (After careful consideration, she decided to study abroad.)
• Example 2: Die Jury zog alle Fakten in Erwägung. (The jury took all facts into consideration.)

⚠️ "Erwägung" is often used in more formal contexts, especially in writing, or regarding decisions in politics, law, or business.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: die Erwägung

"Erwägung" is a feminine noun. The plural is "die Erwägungen". It typically follows weak noun declension patterns in the plural (plural ends in -en).

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Grammar Examples

1. Nominative: Die Erwägung der Risiken ist wichtig. (The consideration of the risks is important.)
2. Genitive: Das Ergebnis langer Erwägung war eindeutig. (The result of long deliberation was clear.)
3. Dative: Nach sorgfältiger Erwägung stimmte er zu. (After careful consideration, he agreed.)
4. Accusative: Er zog verschiedene Optionen in Erwägung. (He took various options into consideration.)
5. Plural: Viele Erwägungen spielten bei der Entscheidung eine Rolle. (Many considerations played a role in the decision.)

✍️ How to Use "Erwägung"?

"Erwägung" is frequently used in set phrases and belongs to a more elevated or formal register of German.

Typical Phrases

• etwas in Erwägung ziehen: This is the most common phrase and means "to take something into consideration", "to consider something", "to contemplate something as a possibility".
  • Example: Wir ziehen einen Umzug in eine andere Stadt in Erwägung. (We are considering moving to another city.)
• nach reiflicher Erwägung: Means "after careful consideration" or "after mature deliberation".
  • Example: Nach reiflicher Erwägung habe ich mich entschieden, das Angebot anzunehmen. (After careful consideration, I decided to accept the offer.)
• unter Erwägung aller Umstände: Means "taking all circumstances into consideration".
  • Example: Das Gericht fällte sein Urteil unter Erwägung aller Umstände. (The court passed its sentence taking all circumstances into consideration.)

Context and Comparison

Compared to "die Überlegung" (which is often interchangeable but can be less formal), "die Erwägung" usually sounds more formal and emphasizes the weighing of different factors more strongly. "Überlegung" can also simply mean a thought, whereas "Erwägung" generally aims towards a decision or judgment.

You'll often find "Erwägung" in official documents, legal texts, academic papers, or when a decision needs to be presented as particularly thorough.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article "die"

Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of common words like die Meinung (opinion), die Entscheidung (decision), die Bedeutung (meaning) – and also die Erwägung. The -ung ending is a strong clue for die!

Remembering the Meaning

"Erwägung" contains the verb "wägen", which means "to weigh". Imagine placing different options like weights on a scale (you wägst them), trying to find out which one is heavier or better. That's the core of Erwägung – the weighing of arguments or options.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words

Be careful not to confuse "Erwägung" with "Erwähnung" (mention). They sound somewhat similar but have completely different meanings.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Philosophen ihre Entscheidungen so ernst?

Weil jede Entscheidung das Ergebnis langer Erwägung ist – und sie wollen ja nicht, dass ihre Waage umsonst gearbeitet hat! 🤔⚖️

---

Why do philosophers take their decisions so seriously?

Because every decision is the result of long consideration (Erwägung) – and they don't want their scale (Waage, related to wägen in Erwägung) to have worked for nothing!

📜 Poem about Erwägung

Gedanken kreisen, hin und her,
die Entscheidung fällt oft schwer.
Was ist das Für, was das Dagegen?
Man muss die Gründe sorgsam pflegen.

Ein jeder Schritt, ein jedes Wort,
findet in der Erwägung Hort.
Die Waage neigt sich, sacht und still,
bis der Verstand entscheiden will.

---

Thoughts circle, back and forth,
The decision is often hard forth.
What are the pros, what the cons to gauge?
One must carefully tend the reasons on life's stage.

Every step, every word expressed,
Finds refuge in consideration's nest.
The scale tips gently, soft and low,
Until the mind decides which way to go.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich habe keine Stimme, doch spreche durch dein Denken.
Ich habe keine Waage, doch helfe dir, Gewichte zu lenken.
Bevor du handelst, rufst du mich herbei,
Ich bin der Prozess des Prüfens, Schritt zwei oder drei.

Was bin ich?

(Lösung: die Erwägung)

---

I have no voice, yet speak through your thought.
I have no scale, yet help guide weights you've brought.
Before you act, you call me near,
I am the process of checking, step two or three, it's clear.

What am I?

(Answer: die Erwägung / consideration)

🧐 Other Information

Word Origin and Composition

The word "Erwägung" derives from the verb erwägen (to consider, to weigh up). The prefix "er-" often indicates the achievement of a goal or result, and "wägen" means "to weigh" or "to balance". The suffix "-ung" turns the verb into a noun, denoting the process or result.

So: er + wägen + ung → The process or result of weighing things up mentally.