die  Interpretation

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪntɛʁpʁɛtaˈt͡si̯oːn/

📖 What does "die Interpretation" mean?

Die Interpretation (feminine noun) generally refers to the explanation, reading, or construction of the meaning of something. It's about assigning sense or significance to a situation, a text, a work of art, a dream, or even behavior.

• Textinterpretation: The analysis and interpretation of literary works, poems, or non-fiction texts.
• Musikalische Interpretation: The way a musician or conductor performs and shapes a piece of music.
• Künstlerische Interpretation: The interpretation and representation of a theme or object by an artist.
• Trauminterpretation: The attempt to decipher the meaning of dreams.
• Simultaneous/Consecutive Interpreting: In the context of interpreting (oral translation), "Interpretation" is sometimes used synonymously for the process itself, although "Verdolmetschung" or "Dolmetschen" are more precise terms.

⚠️ Important: An Interpretation is often subjective and can vary from person to person, especially in art and literature.

🧐 Grammar of "Interpretation" in Detail

"Interpretation" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in -ion are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Seine Interpretation des Gedichts war sehr originell.
   (His interpretation of the poem was very original.)
2. Die verschiedenen Interpretationen des Kunstwerks führten zu einer lebhaften Diskussion.
   (The different interpretations of the artwork led to a lively discussion.)
3. Der Dirigent ist bekannt für seine emotionale Interpretation von Beethovens Sinfonien.
   (The conductor is known for his emotional interpretation of Beethoven's symphonies.)
4. Nach dem Gespräch gab es Raum für unterschiedliche Interpretationen seiner Aussage.
   (After the conversation, there was room for different interpretations of his statement.)

💡 How to use "die Interpretation"?

"Die Interpretation" is used when talking about understanding, explaining, or artistically expressing meaning.

• In academic contexts: When analyzing texts, data, or historical events (e.g., die historische Interpretation - the historical interpretation, die statistische Interpretation - the statistical interpretation).
• In the arts: For music, theater, dance, and visual arts (e.g., die musikalische Interpretation - the musical interpretation, eine moderne Interpretation des Stücks - a modern interpretation of the play).
• In everyday life: When trying to understand someone's behavior or statements (e.g., Meine Interpretation seines Schweigens war, dass er zustimmt. - My interpretation of his silence was that he agreed.).
• In legal contexts: When construing laws (Gesetzesinterpretation - interpretation of the law).

Comparison:

• Deutung: Very similar, often used synonymously. Can sometimes sound slightly less formal or scientific.
• Auslegung: Often used in legal or theological contexts (e.g., die Auslegung der Bibel - the interpretation/exegesis of the Bible).
• Erklärung: Focuses more on the factual presentation of facts, whereas Interpretation often includes subjective elements.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Interpretation"

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ion in German are like an English action 🎬 – and actions feel inherently feminine (or at least, they are grammatically in German!). So: die Aktion, die Interpretation.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you need to **interpret** a complex code. You have to look **in**to it and **prepare** (like prep) an explanation. In + prep ≈ interpret. Finding/giving meaning.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Die Interpunktion: Punctuation. Sounds similar, but means something completely different.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Treffen sich zwei Fische. Sagt der eine: "Hi!" Fragt der andere: "Wo?"

English Translation: Two fish meet. One says: "Hi!" The other asks: "Where?"

(The humor comes from the second fish misinterpreting the greeting "Hi!" [sounds like Hai = shark in German] as a warning about a shark's location.) 😉

📜 Poem about Interpretation

German:
Ein Wort, ein Blick, ein leiser Ton,
Was meint der Mensch, was war die Aktion?
Die Interpretation beginnt,
Wo klare Antwort nicht gelingt.

Ein Bild, Musik, ein alter Text,
Von Sinn und Deutung tief durchflecht'.
Mal klar, mal rätselhaft, mal frei,
So lebt die Kunst – stets neu dabei.

English Translation:
A word, a glance, a gentle tone,
What did they mean, the action shown?
The interpretation starts to bloom,
Where clear-cut answers find no room.

A painting, music, ancient text,
With sense and meaning intertwined, complex.
Sometimes clear, sometimes puzzling, free,
Thus art lives on – eternally.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich habe keine eigene Stimme, doch gebe vielem einen Sinn.
Mal lieg' ich falsch, mal treff ich's richtig drin.
In Kunst und Text bin ich zu Haus,
mal sieht's nach Arbeit, mal nach Raten aus.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I have no voice of my own, yet I give meaning to many things.
Sometimes I'm wrong, sometimes I hit the mark within.
In art and text, I am at home,
sometimes I look like work, sometimes like guessing's foam.

What am I?

Solution: Die Interpretation (The Interpretation)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology):

The word "Interpretation" comes from the Latin verb interpretārī, which meant "to explain", "to expound", "to translate", or "to mediate". The interpres in Latin was the mediator, negotiator, or interpreter.

Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen):

There are many compound words with "Interpretation" in German, e.g.:

• Textinterpretation (text interpretation)
• Trauminterpretation (dream interpretation)
• Gesetzesinterpretation (legal interpretation)
• Fehlinterpretation (misinterpretation)
• Neuinterpretation (reinterpretation)
• Interpretationsspielraum (scope for interpretation, latitude)