die  Fertigstellung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfɛʁtɪçˌʃtɛlʊŋ/

🏁 What does "die Fertigstellung" mean?

Die Fertigstellung [ˈfɛʁtɪçˌʃtɛlʊŋ] is a feminine noun that refers to the act or state of completion or finishing of a piece of work, a project, a building, or a task. It marks the point at which something is completely finished and often ready for handover or use.

The word is derived from fertig (finished, ready) and stellen (here in the sense of: to produce, to bring about), with the suffix -ung, which typically forms feminine nouns describing a process or its result.

There is only one article for Fertigstellung: die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar in Detail: Die Fertigstellung

"Fertigstellung" is a feminine noun. The ending "-ung" almost always signals the feminine gender in German. So, it's always die Fertigstellung.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural "die Fertigstellungen" is relatively rare but is used when referring to multiple completed projects or processes.

💡 Grammar Examples

• Nominative: Die Fertigstellung des Hauses verzögert sich. (The completion of the house is delayed.)
• Genitive: Der Termin der Fertigstellung wurde verschoben. (The date of completion was postponed.)
• Dative: Wir nähern uns der Fertigstellung des Projekts. (We are approaching the completion of the project.)
• Akkusativ: Sie feiern die Fertigstellung mit einem Fest. (They are celebrating the completion with a party.)
• Plural: Nach mehreren erfolgreichen Fertigstellungen blickte das Team stolz zurück. (After several successful completions, the team looked back proudly.)

🔧 When to use "die Fertigstellung"?

"Die Fertigstellung" is mainly used in more formal contexts, especially concerning scheduled or contractually agreed conclusions. Typical use cases include:

• Bauwesen (Construction): The completion of a building, bridge, or road. (die Fertigstellung eines Gebäudes)
• Projektmanagement (Project Management): The completion of a software project, marketing campaign, or study. (die Fertigstellung eines Projekts)
• Produktion (Production): The completion of a prototype or product series. (die Fertigstellung eines Prototyps)
• Kunst & Handwerk (Art & Craft): The completion of a work of art or manuscript. (die Fertigstellung eines Kunstwerks)

Compared to synonyms:

• Abschluss: Is more general and can also refer to the end of education, a contract, or an event (e.g., Schulabschluss - school graduation, Vertragsabschluss - conclusion of a contract).
• Vollendung: Often sounds more elevated and sometimes implies special quality or perfection (e.g., die Vollendung eines Meisterwerks - the completion of a masterpiece).
• Beendigung: Emphasizes the stopping or cessation of an activity, not necessarily reaching a goal (e.g., Beendigung der Zusammenarbeit - termination of cooperation).

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse "Fertigstellung" with "Herstellung" (production, manufacturing), although the two processes often follow each other.

🧠 Mnemonics for Fertigstellung

Article Mnemonic

Words ending in "-ung" need feminine swing! So remember the song: it's die Fertigstellung!

Meaning Mnemonic

When you are fertig (finished) and something is in its final Stellung (state/position), you celebrate die Fertigstellung (the completion)!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Fertigstellung

⚠️ Watch Out!

Don't confuse "Fertigstellung" (completion) with "Herstellung" (production, manufacturing). Herstellung is the process of making something, while Fertigstellung marks the end of that process.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Bauherr den Architekten: "Wann rechnen Sie mit der Fertigstellung meines Hauses?"
Architekt: "Ich bin fast fertig mit der Rechnung!"

Translation:
The client asks the architect: "When do you expect the completion of my house?"
Architect: "I'm almost finished with the bill!"

📜 A Little Poem

Stein auf Stein, Codezeile rein,
Die Arbeit nahm kein Ende schein'.
Doch nun ist's vollbracht, das große Werk,
Gefeiert wird mit Sekt und Zwerg.
Der letzte Schliff, die letzte Sicht,
Die Fertigstellung bringt das Licht!

Rough Translation:
Stone by stone, line of code goes in,
The work seemed like it would never end.
But now it's done, the great creation,
Celebrated with bubbly elation.
The final touch, the final view,
Completion brings the light anew!

🧩 A Little Riddle

Ich bin das Ziel nach langem Lauf,
Auf mich nimmt man viel Mühe in Kauf.
Ob Haus, ob Plan, ob Software fein,
Ich lasse das Projekt beendet sein.

Was bin ich? (... Die Fertigstellung)

Translation:
I am the goal after a long run,
For me, much effort is undergone.
Be it house, or plan, or software fine,
I let the project cross the finish line.

What am I? (... Completion / Die Fertigstellung)

✨ Other Interesting Details

Word Formation

The word is a nominalization (making a noun) of the action "fertig stellen" (to finish, to complete):

• fertig (adjective: finished, ready)
• stellen (verb: here in the sense of to establish, produce)
• -ung (suffix used to form feminine nouns denoting a process or result)

Contextual Meaning

In contract law (e.g., construction contracts), the term "Fertigstellung" is often a crucial legal milestone that can trigger payments or warranty periods.