die  Identifikation

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪdɛntɪfɪkaˈt͡si̯oːn/

🧐 What exactly does "Identifikation" mean?

Die Identifikation (noun, feminine) describes several related concepts:

• Establishing identity: Recognizing or proving who or what someone or something is. This is often done using documents like an Ausweis (ID card) or Pass (passport). 🛂
• Psychological process: Empathizing with or equating oneself with another person, group, or idea. One adopts their views, values, or feelings. ❤️‍🩹
• Labeling/Marking: Providing objects or data with a unique feature for recognition (e.g., a serial number). 🏷️

It is a word derived from Latin (identificare = to recognize as the same).

📚 Grammar: How is "die Identifikation" declined?

"Identifikation" is a feminine noun and only takes the article "die". It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences:

1. Für die Einreise ist die Identifikation mittels Reisepass erforderlich.
   (For entry, identification via passport is required.)
2. Die Identifikation mit der Hauptfigur im Roman war sehr stark.
   (The identification with the main character in the novel was very strong.)
3. Die eindeutige Identifikation der Produkte erfolgt über den Barcode.
   (The unique identification of the products is done via the barcode.)
4. Es gab mehrere Identifikationen des Verdächtigen durch Zeugen.
   (There were several identifications of the suspect by witnesses.)

🗣️ How to use "Identifikation"?

Usage depends heavily on the context:

• Official/Formal: Often used in connection with identity papers (Ausweispapiere), border controls (Grenzkontrollen), police investigations (polizeiliche Ermittlungen), or registering for services. Here, it refers to establishing personal details. Example: "Bitte halten Sie Ihre Dokumente zur Identifikation bereit." (Please have your documents ready for identification.)
• Psychology/Sociology: Describes empathizing with or adopting characteristics of other people or groups. Example: "Die Identifikation Jugendlicher mit ihren Idolen ist ein wichtiger Teil der Entwicklung." (The identification of adolescents with their idols is an important part of development.)
• Technology/Logistics: Refers to the labeling and recognition of objects, e.g., using RFID chips or serial numbers. Example: "Die automatische Identifikation der Pakete beschleunigt den Versandprozess." (The automatic identification of packages speeds up the shipping process.)

⚠️ Distinction: "Identifizierung" is often used synonymously, but tends to refer more specifically to the act or process of identifying, while "Identifikation" can mean the process as well as the result or the state of being identified or identifying with something/someone.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ion" in German are almost always feminine, so it's die Identifikation. Think of other "-ion" words you might know: die Aktion (action), die Station (station) – they are all "die"!

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine needing official I.D. for identification. You need 'die Karte' (the card - feminine!) to prove who you are. So, remember the feminine connection for die Identifikation.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Caution: "Identität" (die - identity) is not the same as "Identifikation". Identität is who or what a person or thing is, while Identifikation is the process of recognition or the feeling of connection.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Grenzbeamte: "Irgendwelche Ausweispapiere zur Identifikation?"
Sagt der Tourist stolz: "Ja klar, hier ist mein Bibliotheksausweis!"

(The border guard asks: "Any identification documents?"
The tourist proudly says: "Sure, here's my library card!")

📜 Poem about Identification

Am Schalter, streng und klar,
fragt man: "Wer sind Sie, wunderbar?"
Der Pass, er muss es zeigen schnell,
die Identifikation, ganz aktuell.

Doch auch im Herzen, tief und weit,
sucht man nach Zugehörigkeit.
Mit Helden, Freunden, groß und klein,
findet man Identifikation – das ist fein.

(At the counter, strict and clear,
they ask: "Who are you, my dear?"
The passport must quickly show,
the identification, current, you know.

But also in the heart, deep and wide,
one searches for a place to reside.
With heroes, friends, both big and small,
one finds identification – standing tall.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Papier sein, das sagt, wer du bist,
oder ein Gefühl, das du tief in dir misst.
Manchmal brauchst du mich an der Grenze, ganz klar,
manchmal verbindet sie dich mit einem Star.

Was bin ich?

(I can be a paper that says who you are,
Or a feeling you measure deep down, near or far.
Sometimes you need me at the border, it's true,
Sometimes I connect you with a star, through and through.

What am I?)

Solution: die Identifikation

🌐 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

• The word comes from the Middle Latin verb identificare, meaning "to recognize/treat as the same".
• It is composed of idem (the same) and facere (to make).
• Related words are: identisch (adjective - identical), Identität (noun - identity), identifizieren (verb - to identify).

Trivia:

• In the digital world, secure Identifikation (e.g., through two-factor authentication) plays an increasingly important role. 🔐
• Psychological Identifikation is a key concept in psychoanalysis according to Sigmund Freud.