die
Klarstellung
🧐 What does "Klarstellung" mean?
The German noun die Klarstellung (feminine) means clarification, rectification, or explanation aimed at resolving a misunderstanding or ambiguity. It's about making something klar (clear).
Imagine someone said something incorrect about you. Your response explaining the truth is a Klarstellung.
As is typical for German nouns ending in "-ung", it is feminine: die Klarstellung.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
📝 Grammar: Diving into "die Klarstellung"
The noun "Klarstellung" is feminine. Here is its declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Klarstellung |
| Genitive | der | Klarstellung |
| Dative | der | Klarstellung |
| Accusative | die | Klarstellung |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Klarstellungen |
| Genitive | der | Klarstellungen |
| Dative | den | Klarstellungen |
| Accusative | die | Klarstellungen |
Example Sentences
- Das Unternehmen veröffentlichte eine Klarstellung zu den Gerüchten. (The company published a clarification regarding the rumors.)
- Nach seiner missverständlichen Äußerung war eine Klarstellung dringend nötig. (After his ambiguous statement, a clarification was urgently needed.)
- Wir bitten um eine offizielle Klarstellung der Sachlage. (We request an official clarification of the situation.)
- Die Pressesprecherin gab mehrere Klarstellungen ab. (The spokesperson issued several clarifications.)
🗣️ Usage in Context
"Klarstellung" is often used in formal or official contexts, such as:
- Politics & Media: Politicians or organizations issue Klarstellungen to clarify their position or respond to criticism.
- Law: In the legal field, a Klarstellung might be necessary to make contracts or statements unambiguous.
- Workplace: Professionally, a Klarstellung helps avoid misunderstandings about tasks or responsibilities.
- Everyday Life: Even in private conversations, you might ask for a Klarstellung if something remained unclear.
Compared to "Erklärung" (explanation), "Klarstellung" often emphasizes the aspect of correction or the removal of a prior misunderstanding. An Erklärung can simply inform, whereas a Klarstellung usually reacts to preceding ambiguity.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. Remember: die Meinung (opinion), die Leitung (management/pipe), die Hoffnung (hope) – and therefore, die Klarstellung.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of a situation that isn't klar (clear). You need to put it in the right 'position' or 'stance' (Stellung) to make it clear – you need a Klarstellung to clear things up.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Richtigstellung: Correction, emphasizes correcting false information.
- Berichtigung: Similar to Richtigstellung, often used for errors in texts (corrigendum).
- Aufklärung: Broader term, can mean enlightenment or providing information.
- Präzisierung: Specification, emphasizes making a statement more precise.
- Erläuterung: Elucidation or explanation, making something more understandable.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- Verwirrung: Confusion.
- Missverständnis: Misunderstanding.
- Unklarheit: Ambiguity, lack of clarity.
- Verschleierung: Obfuscation, concealment (deliberately making unclear).
- Andeutung: Hint, insinuation (vague statement, not clear).
⚠️ Be aware: "Erklärung" (explanation) is often a synonym but can be more neutral and doesn't necessarily imply a reaction to prior ambiguity.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie die E-Mail mit der Klarstellung gelesen?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Nein, ich warte lieber auf die Klarstellung zur Klarstellung."
(Boss asks the new employee: "Did you read the email with the clarification?"
Employee replies: "No, I'd rather wait for the clarification of the clarification.")
📜 A Short Poem
War ein Wort im Raum,
verwirrend, wie ein schlechter Traum.
Da kam, ganz schnell und hell,
die Klarstellung, aktuell.
Sie brachte Licht ins Dunkel rein,
so soll Kommunikation doch sein!
(There was a word in the room,
Confusing, like a bad dream's gloom.
Then came, quite fast and bright,
The clarification, setting things right.
It brought light into the dark,
That's how communication should spark!)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich komme oft nach Streit und Zank,
oder wenn man falsch verstand, Gott sei Dank!
Ich räume Zweifel aus dem Weg,
und sorge für den graden Steg.
Ich bin feminin und ende auf "-ung".
Was bin ich? Na, die...?
Lösung/Solution: die Klarstellung
(I often come after quarrels and strife,
Or when misunderstood, thanks be to life!
I clear doubts out of the way,
And ensure a straight path, come what may.
I'm feminine and end in "-ung".
What am I? Well, the...?)
💡 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Klarstellung" is a compound noun, formed from:
- The adjective "klar" (clear, unambiguous)
- The noun "Stellung" (here in the sense of statement, position, stance)
- The suffix "-ung", which nominalizes an action or process and makes the word feminine.
So, it literally describes the act of creating a clear position or statement.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Klarstellung?
The word "Klarstellung" is a feminine noun. The correct article is die: die Klarstellung (singular) and die Klarstellungen (plural). It refers to an action or statement intended to clear up ambiguities or misunderstandings.