die  Gewinnung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈvɪnʊŋ/

🔍 What does "die Gewinnung" mean?

The noun die Gewinnung describes the process of obtaining, extracting, producing, or acquiring something. It is a feminine noun and always uses the article "die".

Key meanings include:

• Extraction / Mining: Accessing and extracting raw materials from the earth (e.g., die Ölgewinnung - oil extraction, die Erzgewinnung - ore mining).
• Generation / Production: Producing or generating something (e.g., die Energiegewinnung - energy generation from sun, die Wärmegewinnung - heat generation).
• Acquisition / Procurement: Obtaining or acquiring something (e.g., die Datengewinnung - data acquisition, die Kundengewinnung - customer acquisition, die Mitarbeitergewinnung - employee recruitment).
• Derivation / Extraction (Information): Drawing conclusions or information from data or texts (e.g., die Erkenntnisgewinnung - gaining insights/knowledge).

It is derived from the verb gewinnen (to win, gain, extract).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "Gewinnung" in Detail

Die Gewinnung is a feminine noun. It is primarily used in the singular. The plural form "die Gewinnungen" is rare and usually refers to different types or specific instances of extraction/acquisition processes.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural (rare)

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Gewinnung von Rohöl ist komplex.
   (The extraction of crude oil is complex.)
2. Wir konzentrieren uns auf die Gewinnung erneuerbarer Energien.
   (We are focusing on the generation of renewable energies.)
3. Die Gewinnung neuer Kunden ist entscheidend für das Wachstum.
   (The acquisition of new customers is crucial for growth.)
4. Aus den Daten war eine schnelle Gewinnung von Erkenntnissen möglich.
   (A quick extraction of insights was possible from the data.)

🚀 When to use "die Gewinnung"?

"Gewinnung" is often used in technical, economic, or scientific contexts. It implies an active process to obtain or develop something.

• Rohstoffgewinnung: In mining, oil and gas production.
• Energiegewinnung: In generating electricity, heat, etc., from various sources (coal, sun, wind, water).
• Datengewinnung: In IT, statistics, market research.
• Personalgewinnung / Mitarbeitergewinnung: In human resources (HR), recruitment.
• Informationsgewinnung / Erkenntnisgewinnung: In research and analysis.
• Salzgewinnung: Specifically, the production of salt from seawater or brine.

Compared to synonyms like Förderung (often more specific to raw materials) or Erzeugung (often for energy or products), Gewinnung is a broader term encompassing the entire process of obtaining something.

🧠 Mnemonics for Gewinnung

Here are some memory aids for "die Gewinnung":

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of: die Achtung (attention), die Wohnung (apartment), die Übung (exercise)... and therefore also die Gewinnung. It's a very reliable rule!

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English word "gain" or "win", which sounds a bit like the start of Gewinnung. The Gewinnung is the process by which you "gain" something – whether it's oil from the ground, energy from the sun, or a new customer for your business.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Potential Confusion

• Gewinn (der): This means 'profit', 'gain', 'advantage'. Die Gewinnung is the process, der Gewinn is the result.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter in der Ölfirma: "Und, wie läuft die Ölgewinnung?"
Sagt der Neue: "Naja, bisher hab ich nur Salatöl gefunden, aber ich suche weiter!"

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee at the oil company: "So, how is the oil extraction (Ölgewinnung) going?"
The newbie says: "Well, so far I've only found salad oil, but I'll keep looking!"

📜 Poem about Gewinnung

Aus tiefem Schacht, aus Sonnenlicht,
Erfolgt die Gewinnung, Stück für Stück.
Ob Öl, ob Strom, ob neuer Sinn,
Stets ist ein Anfang, ein Beginn.
Der Prozess braucht Kraft und auch Verstand,
Für Reichtum sorgt er hier im Land.

Translation:
From deepest shaft, from sunlight bright,
Comes the extraction/generation, bit by bit in sight.
Whether oil, or power, or purpose new,
Always a start, something to pursue.
The process needs strength and intellect's hand,
Providing riches here throughout the land.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin ein Prozess, kein fester Ort,
hole Schätze aus der Erd' hervor.
Ich schaffe Energie und Wissen neu,
beschaff' dir Kunden oder Personal, ganz treu.
Man braucht mich sehr in Industrie und Wirtschaft weit.

Was bin ich, dieser Vorgang voller Tätigkeit?

Lösung: die Gewinnung

Translation:
I am a process, not a fixed place,
I bring treasures forth from the Earth's deep space.
I create energy and knowledge anew,
Get you customers or personnel, loyal and true.
I'm needed much in industry and economy's sight.

What am I, this procedure full of might?

Solution: die Gewinnung (extraction, generation, acquisition)

✨ Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Gewinnung" is a noun derived from the verb "gewinnen" (to win, gain, extract). It consists of:

• The verb stem: gewinn-
• The suffix: -ung, which indicates an action, process, or result and forms feminine nouns.

This structure is very common in German (e.g., hoffen (to hope) -> die Hoffnung (hope), rechnen (to calculate) -> die Rechnung (bill, calculation)).