die  Fassung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfasʊŋ/

📖 What does "die Fassung" mean?

The word die Fassung is a feminine noun with several meanings:

• Composure, self-control, calm: This refers to a person's emotional state, especially in difficult situations. Example: Sie verlor völlig die Fassung. (She completely lost her composure.)
• Setting, mount, frame, socket: This describes a device that holds or frames something.
  • 🔩 Technical: A Lampenfassung (lamp socket), Brillenfassung (glasses frame).
  • 💍 Jewelry: The Fassung (setting) of a gemstone.
• Version, wording, draft: This refers to a specific version or formulation of a text, law, or document. Example: Die endgültige Fassung des Vertrages. (The final version of the contract.)

⚠️ Be sure to understand the meaning from the context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Fassung" in Detail

"Fassung" is a feminine noun. The article is "die".

Declension:

Example Sentences for Illustration

1. (Composure) Selbst in der Krise bewahrte sie stets die Fassung.
   (Even in the crisis, she always kept her composure.)
2. (Setting) Der Juwelier setzte den Diamanten vorsichtig in die goldene Fassung.
   (The jeweler carefully placed the diamond into the golden setting.)
3. (Socket) Die alte Lampe braucht eine neue Fassung für die Glühbirne.
   (The old lamp needs a new socket for the lightbulb.)
4. (Version) Bitte lesen Sie die neueste Fassung des Berichts.
   (Please read the latest version of the report.)

💡 How to use "die Fassung"?

The usage of "die Fassung" heavily depends on its specific meaning:

• Emotional Composure (Fassung): Often used in phrases like "die Fassung verlieren" (to lose composure), "die Fassung wiedergewinnen" (to regain composure), "jemanden aus der Fassung bringen" (to fluster someone), or "um Fassung ringen" (to struggle for composure). Describes the fight for or loss of self-control.
• Technical/Jewelry Setting (Fassung): Used to describe the holding frame or mount. You talk about a "Brillenfassung" (glasses frame), "Lampenfassung" (lamp socket), "Steinfassung" (stone setting). The context is usually technical or related to craftsmanship.
• Text Version (Fassung): Used in the context of writing, editing, laws, or contracts. You speak of a "erste Fassung" (first draft), "endgültige Fassung" (final version), "Neufassung" (revised version), "Kurzfassung" (short version/summary). Here it's synonymous with "Version" or "Entwurf" (draft).

Comparison: While "Version" often sounds more neutral or technical (e.g., software version), "Fassung" in the context of texts sometimes emphasizes the aspect of wording or drafting more strongly.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Fassung"

• Article Mnemonic (die): Nouns ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine in German. Think of: die Haltung (attitude), die Meinung (opinion), die Fassung. They all require "die". So, the ending -ung helps you remember die.

• Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from "fassen" (to grasp, hold, comprehend). Imagine:

  • You have to "grasp" or "hold onto" your emotions (not lose your Fassung / composure).
  • A frame must "hold" a stone or lens (the Fassung / setting).
  • You try to "grasp" or capture an idea or text in words (write a Fassung / version).

You need to fassen (grasp/hold) a lot to have a good Fassung – whether emotionally, materially, or textually!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Fassung"

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Die Erfassung: Refers to data collection or registration (e.g., Datenerfassung). Don't confuse it with die Fassung!

😂 A Little Joke

Warum verlor der Optiker die Fassung?

Weil er den Durchblick verloren hatte und seine Brille keine neue Fassung bekam! 😉

Why did the optician lose his composure (die Fassung)?

Because he lost perspective (den Durchblick verloren) and his glasses didn't get a new frame (Fassung)! 😉 (Pun uses both meanings: composure and frame)

✍️ Poem about die Fassung

Die Fassung, zart und doch so stark,
Hält den Juwel im Lebenspark.
Die Fassung, wenn die Wut entbrennt,
Ist Ruhe, die man kaum erkennt.
Die Fassung, Wort für Wort gesetzt,
Ein Text, der nie die Zeit verletzt.
Drei Formen, doch ein Klang so rein,
Die Fassung, lass sie dein Begleiter sein.

The setting (Fassung), delicate yet so strong,
Holds the jewel in life's park along.
The composure (Fassung), when anger ignites,
Is calmness, barely seen in sights.
The version (Fassung), word by word set down,
A text that time cannot wear down.
Three forms, yet one sound rings true,
Die Fassung, let it accompany you.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich halte Perlen, Stein und Glas,
Ich halte still, wenn Wut im Gras.
Ich halte fest, was einst gedacht,
In Worten neu zu Tag gebracht.

Was bin ich, stets feminin?

I hold pearls, stone, and glass so clear,
I keep calm when anger's near.
I hold fast what once was thought,
In words anew to light is brought.

What am I, always feminine?
(Solution: die Fassung)

✨ Other Interesting Info

• Word Origin: "Fassung" derives from the verb "fassen", which originally meant "to grip", "to seize", "to hold", and later expanded to include "to comprehend" or "to understand". All meanings of "die Fassung" can be traced back to this basic idea of holding or comprehending.
• Compound Words: "Fassung" is part of many compound nouns that specify the meaning, e.g.:
  • Brillenfassung, Lampenfassung, Steinfassung (setting/mount/frame/socket)
  • Textfassung, Romanfassung, Neufassung, Kurzfassung, Originalfassung (version/draft)
  • Fassungslosigkeit (loss of composure, bewilderment)