die  Meldung

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈmɛldʊŋ/

📰 What does "die Meldung" mean?

Die Meldung (feminine, plural: die Meldungen) is a versatile German word. Generally, it refers to a short piece of information, notification, or report about an event or situation. The exact meaning often depends on the context:

• News/Report: Information, often disseminated through media (e.g., eine Eilmeldung - a breaking news report, Pressemeldung - press release).
• Notification/Notice: An official or formal piece of information (e.g., eine Fehlermeldung - an error message on a computer, die Meldung eines Schadens - reporting damage to an insurance company).
• Registration: The formal act of announcing one's presence or residence to an authority (e.g., die polizeiliche Meldung - police registration).
• Signal/Message: In technical or military contexts, a signal or feedback (e.g., die Statusmeldung eines Systems - a system status message).

⚠️ It's always feminine (die Meldung), which is typical for nouns ending in -ung derived from a verb (here: melden - to report/notify).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar in Detail: Die Meldung

The noun "Meldung" is feminine. The article is therefore always "die". Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Hast du die Meldung im Radio gehört?
   (Did you hear the report on the radio?)
2. Ich muss nach meinem Umzug die Meldung beim Einwohnermeldeamt machen.
   (After my move, I have to do the registration at the residents' registration office.)
3. Der Computer zeigt ständig eine Fehlermeldung an.
   (The computer constantly displays an error message.)
4. Wir warten auf die Meldung über die Prüfungsergebnisse.
   (We are waiting for the notification about the exam results.)
5. Die Polizei erhielt mehrere Meldungen über den Vorfall.
   (The police received several reports about the incident.)

💡 How to use "die Meldung"?

"Die Meldung" is used in many different contexts:

• News & Media: "Die Nachrichtenagentur verbreitete eine Eilmeldung." (The news agency disseminated a breaking news report.) Here it's a synonym for news or report.
• Authorities & Administration: "Vergessen Sie nicht die polizeiliche Meldung Ihres neuen Wohnsitzes." (Don't forget the police registration of your new residence.) Here it means registration. A common phrase is 'eine Meldung machen' (to make a report/registration).
• Technology & IT: "Nach dem Klick erschien eine Bestätigungs-Meldung." (After the click, a confirmation message appeared.) Here it's a system notification or message (often: Fehlermeldung - error message).
• Everyday Life & Work: "Ich habe eine Meldung vom Chef bekommen, dass das Meeting verschoben wird." (I received a message from the boss that the meeting is postponed.) Used as a general notice or notification.
• Insurance/Damage Claims: "Die Meldung des Wasserschadens muss schriftlich erfolgen." (Reporting the water damage must be done in writing.) Here it means damage report/claim.

Distinction from similar words:

• Nachricht: Often more personal or informal than a Meldung, but can also be used synonymously (e.g., die Nachrichten - the news).
• Bericht: Usually more detailed and comprehensive than a Meldung.
• Mitteilung: Similar to Meldung, perhaps slightly less formal (a notice, communication).

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Meldung"

Article Mnemonic (die):

Remember that nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die important communication (also ending -ion, often feminine in related languages) being delivered as die Meldung.

Meaning Mnemonic:

The word comes from the verb melden (to report, notify). When you melden something, you are giving a Meldung. It sounds a bit like you are "melding" information together into a report.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "die Meldung"

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

• Mündung: (die) estuary, river mouth. Sounds vaguely similar but completely unrelated meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Computer eine Meldung gemacht?
(Why did the computer make a report/message?)

Weil er etwas auf dem Herzen hatte – wahrscheinlich eine Fehlermeldung! 😉
(Because it had something on its mind – probably an error message!)

📜 Poem about Meldung

Ein Ticker rattert, schnell und laut,
eine Meldung wird uns anvertraut.
Ob froh, ob ernst, ob klein, ob groß,
sie lässt uns selten haltlos.
Von Weltgescheh'n bis zum PC,
die Meldung tut nie wirklich weh,
sie informiert, sie sagt Bescheid,
zu jeder Stund', zu jeder Zeit.

--- Translation ---

A ticker rattles, fast and loud,
a report (Meldung) is entrusted to us now.
Whether glad, or serious, small or grand,
it seldom leaves us without a stand.
From world events down to the PC's light,
the message (Meldung) doesn't really bite,
it informs, it lets us know,
at every hour, watch it flow.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich komme oft unerwartet, manchmal digital, manchmal auf Papier.
Ich kann eine Warnung sein oder gute Neuigkeiten schier.
Bei Ämtern musst du mich oft machen,
manchmal bring ich dich zum Lachen (wenn ich ein Witz bin, nicht zum Weinen).

Was bin ich?

--- Translation & Answer ---

I often arrive unexpectedly, sometimes digital, sometimes on paper.
I can be a warning or bring good news, it appears.
At official offices, you often have to make me,
sometimes I make you laugh (if I'm a joke, not cry, you see).

What am I?
(Answer: die Meldung)

✨ More about Meldung

Word Composition:

The word "Meldung" is a great example of German word formation. It is created from:

• The verb: melden (to report, to notify, to register)
• The suffix: -ung (This suffix is used to form nouns from verbs. These nouns are almost always feminine.)

Thus, the process of reporting/notifying (melden) becomes the result or the act itself (die Meldung).

Typical Compound Words:

• Fehlermeldung (error message)
• Eilmeldung (breaking news report)
• Pressemeldung (press release)
• Krankmeldung (sick note, notification of illness)
• Schadensmeldung (damage report)
• Rückmeldung (feedback, response)