die
Meinung
🤔 What does "die Meinung" mean?
Die Meinung (noun, feminine) refers to a personal view, belief, or judgment about something, which isn't necessarily based on facts or knowledge. It's what someone thinks or feels.
- Subjective assessment: A Meinung is often subjective and can vary from person to person. Example: "Meiner Meinung nach ist dieser Film großartig." (In my opinion, this movie is great.)
- Point of view/Stance: It can also express a firm stance or attitude on a specific topic. Example: "Sie vertrat eine klare Meinung zur Umweltpolitik." (She held a clear opinion on environmental policy.)
- Belief/Conviction: Sometimes Meinung also stands for a firm belief or conviction. Example: "Es ist meine feste Meinung, dass Ehrlichkeit am längsten währt." (It is my firm opinion/belief that honesty is the best policy.)
🚨 Attention: A Meinung is not the same as a Tatsache (fact), which is verifiable and objective.
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 of "die Meinung" in Detail
The noun "Meinung" is feminine. Therefore, the article is always "die" in the nominative singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Meinung |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Meinung |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Meinung |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Meinung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Meinungen |
| Genitive | der | Meinungen |
| Dative | den | Meinungen |
| Accusative | die | Meinungen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Er hat eine sehr klare Meinung zu diesem Thema. (He has a very clear opinion on this topic.)
- Das ist nur meine Meinung, du kannst anderer Meinung sein. (That's just my opinion, you can have a different opinion. - Note the fixed phrase anderer Meinung sein uses genitive here).
- Ich stimme deiner Meinung nicht zu. (I don't agree with your opinion.)
- In der Diskussion wurden viele verschiedene Meinungen geäußert. (Many different opinions were expressed in the discussion.)
- Trotz der unterschiedlichen Meinungen fanden sie einen Kompromiss. (Despite the differing opinions, they found a compromise.)
- Wir haben den Meinungen der Experten zugehört. (We listened to the opinions of the experts.)
🗣️ When and how to use "die Meinung"?
"Die Meinung" is used in many contexts, mostly concerning personal views or standpoints:
- Meinung äußern/sagen: To express/voice one's opinion. "Ich möchte meine Meinung dazu äußern." (I would like to express my opinion on this.)
- Eine Meinung haben/vertreten: To have/hold an opinion. "Jeder darf seine eigene Meinung haben." (Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion.)
- Öffentliche Meinung: Public opinion. Refers to the prevailing view among the population. "Die öffentliche Meinung ist gespalten." (Public opinion is divided.)
- Meinungsverschiedenheit: Difference of opinion. When two or more people have different views. "Es gab eine Meinungsverschiedenheit über den besten Weg." (There was a difference of opinion about the best way.)
- Meiner Meinung nach (m.M.n.): In my opinion (IMO). A common phrase to introduce a personal view. "Meiner Meinung nach sollten wir früher starten." (In my opinion, we should start earlier.)
Comparison with similar words:
- Ansicht: Very similar to Meinung, often interchangeable. Perhaps slightly less strong than a firm conviction.
- Standpunkt: Often refers to a reasoned or defended position in a debate or discussion (standpoint).
- Überzeugung: A firm, deep-seated opinion; a conviction.
- Einstellung: Refers more to a general attitude or mindset towards something or someone.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Meinung"
For the article 'die': Think of die Qualität (quality) or die Universität (university). Many nouns ending in -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -tät are feminine (die), just like Meinung.
For the meaning 'opinion': "Meinung" sounds a bit like "My-noong". Imagine someone strongly stating their opinion: "My idea is the best, noon and night!" It's my personal view, my Meinung.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Meinung"
👍 Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Ansicht: view, opinion (often interchangeable)
- Standpunkt: standpoint, point of view (often in discussions)
- Auffassung: view, conception, understanding (how one perceives something)
- Überzeugung: conviction, belief (a strong opinion)
- Urteil: judgment, assessment
- Gesinnung: attitude, mindset (often political or moral)
👎 Antonyms (opposites):
- Tatsache: fact (objectively provable)
- Fakt: fact (a verifiable circumstance)
- Gewissheit: certainty
- Beweis: proof, evidence
⚠️ Similar but different terms:
😄 A Little Joke about Opinions
Warum streiten sich zwei Meinungen nie lange?
Weil am Ende doch jeder seine eigene behält!
Why do two opinions never argue for long?
Because in the end, everyone keeps their own anyway!
📜 A Poem about Opinion
Die Meinung, sie ist frei und bunt,
kommt aus dem Herzen, aus dem Mund.
Mal laut, mal leis', mal fest, mal vage,
begleitet uns durch alle Tage.
Man teilt sie gern, man hört sie an,
obwohl man's manchmal anders kann.
Doch wichtig ist, bei allem Streit:
Respekt für jede Gültigkeit.
Opinion, it is free and bright,
Comes from the heart, comes from the mouth's light.
Sometimes loud, quiet, firm, or vague,
It guides us through life's every stage.
We like to share it, listen near,
Though sometimes hold a different view clear.
But what is key, in any strife:
Respect for every point in life.
🧩 Riddle
Ich habe keine Füße, doch ich reise weit.
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch schaffe oft Streit.
Jeder hat eine von mir, mal groß, mal klein,
auf Fakten muss ich nicht immer gebaut sein.
Was bin ich?
I have no feet, yet I travel far and wide.
I have no mouth, yet often cause disputes to ride.
Everyone has one of me, be it big or small,
On facts, I don't always need to stand tall.
What am I?
(Solution: die Meinung / opinion)
✨ Other Interesting Aspects
- Word Origin: "Meinung" comes from the Old High German verb "meinen", which originally meant "to think", "to have in mind", or even "to love". The current meaning of "view/opinion" evolved from this.
- Compound Words: There are many compound nouns with "Meinung", e.g.:
- Meinungsfreiheit: Freedom of opinion/speech.
- Meinungsforschung: Opinion polling/research.
- Meinungsaustausch: Exchange of opinions.
- Meinungsverschiedenheit: Difference of opinion, disagreement.
- Cultural Significance: The concept of freie Meinungsäußerung (free expression of opinion) is a central pillar of many modern democracies.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Meinung?
The correct article for "Meinung" is die. It is a feminine noun. Remember: die Meinung (the opinion), die Meinungen (the opinions).