die  Info

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɪnfo/

💡 What does 'die Info' mean?

'Die Info' is the colloquial short form of die Information (the information). It is a feminine noun.

It refers to a message, piece of information, or a hint that conveys knowledge. 'Info' is frequently used in everyday life, in emails, notes, or during brief meetings when speed is essential.

Although very common, 'Info' is often considered too informal for formal texts or official letters. In such contexts, 'die Information' should be used instead.

🚨 Attention: It's always 'die Info' because it derives from the feminine noun 'die Information'.

🔍 Grammar of 'die Info' in Detail

'Die Info' is a feminine noun. It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

• Kannst du mir kurz die Info geben? (Can you quickly give me the info?)
• Ich brauche noch ein paar Infos für die Präsentation. (I still need some infos for the presentation.)
• Danke für die schnelle Info! (Thanks for the quick info!)
• Aufgrund der fehlenden Infos können wir nicht entscheiden. (Due to the missing infos, we cannot decide.)

💬 How to use 'die Info'?

'Die Info' is typical for spoken language and informal written communication (e.g., emails between colleagues, chat messages, notes).

• Quick information: "Gib mir mal die Info, wann das Meeting beginnt." (Give me the info on when the meeting starts.)
• Brief message: "Hier ist die Info zur Anreise." (Here's the info about the arrival.)
• In plural for multiple pieces of information: "Ich sammle alle wichtigen Infos." (I'm collecting all the important infos.)

Difference from 'Information': While 'Info' is short and concise, 'Information' sounds more complete and formal. In official documents, academic papers, or formal speeches, 'Information' should be preferred.

Context: You often find 'Info' in compound words like Info-Stand (information booth), Info-Material (information material), Info-Abend (information evening).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Info'

For the article 'die': The abbreviation 'Info' comes from die Information – feminine endings like '-ion' often signal 'die' in German. Remember: Die Nachricht (the message), die Auskunft (the information/reply), die Info!

For the meaning: 'Info' sounds short and quick – just like the information you often need in a hurry. Imagine quickly shouting: "Give me the Info!" It's simply short for information.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Risk of confusion: Sometimes 'Info' might be confused with 'Input' (input, suggestion), which has a different meaning.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seinen neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie schon die Info gelesen, die ich Ihnen gestern geschickt habe?"
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Nein, Chef. Ich dachte 'Info' sei die Abkürzung für 'Ignorieren Sie niemals offizielle Faxe an Ostereier'?"

Translation:
The boss asks his new employee: "Have you read the info I sent you yesterday?"
The employee replies: "No, boss. I thought 'Info' was short for 'Ignore no official faxes on ovaries'?" (The German original plays on a nonsensical acronym).

✍️ Poem about Info

Kurz und knapp, das ist der Hit,
eine Info macht uns fit.
Ob per Mail, ob im Gespräch,
die Info kommt, ganz ohne Gesträuch.
Schnell gesagt, schnell verstanden,
in allen deutschen Landen.
Die Information, die große Schwester,
ist formeller, das weiß jeder Tester.
Doch im Alltag, schnell und klein,
muss es oft die Info sein!

Translation:
Short and sweet, that's the hit,
an info makes us fit.
Whether by mail or in a chat,
the info comes, without any fuss, flat.
Quickly said, quickly understood,
throughout the German neighborhood.
'Information', the big sister,
is more formal, knows every tester.
But daily, quick and small it seems,
it often has to be 'Info', it beams!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kurz, doch sag' dir viel,
bin im Alltag oft das Ziel.
Meine große Schwester ist bekannt,
wird förmlicher genannt.
Ich steh' am Stand, im Material,
geb' Auskunft, überall.

Wer bin ich? ... Die Info

Translation:
I am short, but tell you much,
in everyday life, I'm often the touch.
My big sister is well-known,
is called more formally, it's shown.
I stand at the booth, in the material,
give information, quite serial.

What am I?
... The Info (die Info)

➕ Other Notes

Word Formation: 'Info' is a so-called clipped word (specifically: fore-clipping), created by shortening 'Information'. This type of word formation is very productive in German, especially in colloquial language (e.g., Uni instead of Universität, Akku instead of Akkumulator).

International Usage: The word 'Info' is also common in many other languages as a short form for 'information' and is often understood internationally.