die  Lieferung

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈliːfəʁʊŋ/

📦 What does "die Lieferung" mean?

Die Lieferung (feminine noun) primarily refers to the process of transporting and handing over goods to a recipient. It can also refer to the delivered goods themselves.

• Main meaning: The act of delivering, the delivery of something (e.g., Pakete (parcels), Möbel (furniture), Essen (food)).
• Other meaning: The shipment itself, what is being delivered (e.g., "Die heutige Lieferung enthielt Büromaterial." - Today's delivery contained office supplies.).

It's a very common word in everyday life (Online-Shopping, Essensbestellungen (food orders)) and in business (Logistik (logistics), Handel (trade)).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of "Lieferung" in Detail

The word "Lieferung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die".

Declension

Example Sentences

1. Die Lieferung des Pakets erfolgte pünktlich.
   (The delivery of the parcel arrived on time.)
2. Wir warten auf die Lieferung der neuen Möbel.
   (We are waiting for the delivery of the new furniture.)
3. Der Status meiner Lieferung ist "unterwegs".
   (The status of my delivery is "in transit".)
4. Es gab Probleme bei der letzten Lieferung.
   (There were problems with the last delivery.)
5. Mehrere Lieferungen trafen heute Morgen ein.
   (Several deliveries arrived this morning.)

💡 Everyday Use: When to use "Lieferung"?

"Die Lieferung" is a key word in many contexts:

• Online Shopping: When talking about the shipping status of orders. "Wann kommt meine Lieferung?" (When will my delivery arrive?)
• Logistics & Trade: In a business context for the transport of goods. "Die Lieferung verzögert sich um einen Tag." (The delivery is delayed by one day.)
• Food Orders: When food is brought to your home. "Die Lieferung der Pizza dauert 30 Minuten." (The pizza delivery takes 30 minutes.)
• Services: Sometimes also for the provision of services or information. "Die Lieferung der Analyseergebnisse steht noch aus." (The delivery of the analysis results is still pending.)

Distinction:

• Versand: Often refers more to the process of sending something out. "Der Versand erfolgte gestern." (The shipment was made yesterday.)
• Zustellung: Similar to Lieferung, often emphasizes the moment of handover to the recipient. "Die Zustellung war erfolgreich." (The delivery was successful.)
• Abholung: The opposite of Lieferung; picking something up yourself. "Die Ware ist zur Abholung bereit." (The goods are ready for collection.)

🚨 Be careful not to confuse "Lieferung" (transport to the recipient) with "Abholung" (collection by the recipient).

🧠 Mnemonics for "Lieferung"

Remembering the Article: Nouns ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine. Think: The ending "-ung" sounds like a feminine thing, so it's die Lieferung. Like die Rechnung (the bill), die Zeitung (the newspaper), die Wohnung (the apartment).

Remembering the Meaning: Imagine someone will leave her rung (Liefer-ung) doorbell when they make a delivery!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

Potential Confusion

• Lieferant (der): (Supplier/Deliverer) The person or company that delivers. Not the delivery itself!

😂 A Little Joke

Deutsch: Warum hat der Paketbote geklingelt, obwohl niemand zu Hause war?
Er wollte nur sichergehen, dass die Lieferung auch wirklich "unzustellbar" ist! 😉

English: Why did the delivery driver ring the doorbell even though nobody was home?
He just wanted to make sure the delivery was truly "undeliverable"! 😉

📜 Poem about Delivery

Deutsch:
Die Klingel schrillt, ein kurzer Ton,
Der Bote steht am Eingang schon.
Ein Päckchen braun, mit Band umschnürt,
Die Lieferung, heiß herbeigeführt.

Ob Buch, ob Schuh, ob Technik neu,
Man wartet drauf, mit Freud' und Scheu.
Die Tür geht auf, ein Dank, ein Blick,
Die Lieferung bringt kleines Glück.

English Translation:
The doorbell rings, a short, sharp sound,
The courier's at the entrance found.
A parcel brown, tied up with string,
The delivery, eagerly they bring.

Whether book or shoe or tech gear new,
One waits for it, with joy and rue.
The door swings wide, a thank you, glance,
The delivery brings a happy chance.

❓ Riddle Time

Deutsch:
Ich komme oft von weit herbei,
Mal groß, mal klein, mal allerlei.
Man wartet auf mich, Tag für Tag,
Bis jemand an die Türe schlag'.
Ich bringe Waren ins Quartier.
Was bin ich, sag es mir!

Lösung: Die Lieferung

English Translation:
I often come from far away,
Sometimes large, small, come what may.
People wait for me, day by day,
Until someone knocks without delay.
I bring goods right to your sphere.
What am I? Tell me, my dear!

Solution: The Delivery (die Lieferung)

✨ Other Information

Word Formation:

The noun "Lieferung" is derived from the verb "liefern" (to deliver). Adding the suffix "-ung" turns the verb into a noun. This process very often results in feminine nouns in German.

liefern + -ung → die Lieferung

Cultural Note: In Germany, the punctuality and reliability of Lieferungen are often important topics, both in private and business contexts.