die  Mission

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/mɪˈsi̯oːn/

🎯 What does "die Mission" mean?

The word die Mission (feminine) in German has several meanings, often revolving around a specific Auftrag (assignment) or Zweck (purpose):

• Auftrag oder Aufgabe (Assignment or Task): The most common meaning. It refers to a specific, often challenging task or goal to be achieved. This can be militärisch (military, e.g., eine geheime Mission - a secret mission), wissenschaftlich (scientific, e.g., eine Mars-Mission - a Mars mission), geschäftlich (business-related, e.g., die Mission des Unternehmens - the company's mission), or even personal (e.g., meine Mission, fit zu werden - my mission to get fit).
• Religiöse Sendung (Religious Mission): Refers to the activity of missionaries spreading faith, as well as the corresponding organization or establishment (e.g., in die Mission gehen - to go on a mission, eine Missionsstation - a mission station).
• Diplomatische oder offizielle Vertretung (Diplomatic or Official Delegation): A group of people officially sent to another country or organization (e.g., eine diplomatische Mission - a diplomatic mission).
• (Selbst-)Auftrag / Berufung ((Self-)Assignment / Calling): Sometimes used to describe a kind of life task or inner calling (e.g., seine persönliche Mission finden - to find one's personal mission).

🚨 It only exists in the feminine form die Mission. Other articles are incorrect.

🧐 Grammar of "die Mission" in Detail

"Mission" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences 💬

1. Der Soldat erhielt eine gefährliche Mission. (The soldier received a dangerous mission.)
2. Die Raumsonde befindet sich auf einer Mission zum Jupiter. (The space probe is on a mission to Jupiter.)
3. Ihre persönliche Mission ist es, anderen Menschen zu helfen. (Her personal mission is to help other people.)
4. Die Kirche sandte Priester auf Mission nach Übersee. (The church sent priests on missions overseas.)
5. Alle diplomatischen Missionen wurden informiert. (All diplomatic missions were informed.)

💡 How to Use "Mission"?

The use of "Mission" heavily depends on the context:

• Militär & Raumfahrt (Military & Space Travel): Here, "Mission" is a very common term for specific operations or flights (Kampfmission - combat mission, Rettungsmission - rescue mission, Raumfahrtmission - space mission).
• Religion: Refers to spreading faith or charitable work in the name of a religion (Missionsarbeit - missionary work, Missionsgesellschaft - missionary society).
• Wirtschaft & Unternehmen (Economy & Companies): Often part of the corporate philosophy to describe the purpose or main goal (Unternehmensmission - company mission, Mission Statement).
• Alltag & Persönliches (Everyday Life & Personal Matters): Can be used somewhat hyperbolically for difficult tasks or personal goals (Meine Mission heute: den Keller aufräumen! - My mission today: tidy up the basement!).

Distinction from similar words:

• Auftrag: Often synonymous, but "Auftrag" is more general and can also be a simple instruction. "Mission" often implies more significance, complexity, or a higher purpose.
• Aufgabe: Even more general than "Auftrag", can be any kind of task. A "Mission" is a specific, often larger task.
• Sendung: Can be synonymous in a religious or diplomatic context, but "Mission" is more common. "Sendung" also means broadcast (radio/TV).

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Mission"

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Aufgabe (the task) or die Sendung (the mission/sending). Many feminine nouns in German end in -ion (like die Station, die Nation, die Funktion). Die Mission fits this pattern.

Meaning Mnemonic: The English word "mission" sounds almost identical and has the same core meaning of Auftrag/Aufgabe (assignment/task). Think: "This mission is possible!"

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words:

• Kommission: A group of people with a specific task (e.g., Untersuchungskommission - commission of inquiry), or a commission (payment).
• Demission: Resignation from office.

😄 A Little Joke

DE: Warum hat der Spion seine Mission abgebrochen? Er hatte keine Agenten-Duldung mehr!

EN: Why did the spy abort his mission? He ran out of agent tolerance! (Pun on "Agenten-Duldung" sounding like "Agentenduldung" - tolerance for agents, but maybe implies a fictional permit/pass).

📜 Poem about a Mission

DE:
Ein Ziel vor Augen, klar und rein,
das ist die Mission, so soll es sein.
Ob fern im All, ob tief im Wald,
der Auftrag ruft, schon sehr bald.
Mit Mut und Kraft, mit Plan und Sinn,
führt sie uns zum Erfolg hin.
Die Mission lebt, treibt uns an,
bis das Werk ist vollbracht, irgendwann.

EN:
A goal in sight, clear and pure,
that is the mission, to endure.
Whether far in space, or deep in wood,
the assignment calls, understood.
With courage and strength, with plan and sense,
it leads us to success, immense.
The mission lives, drives us on,
until the work is finally done.

🧩 Riddle

DE:
Ich bin ein Auftrag, groß und klein,
kann heilig oder weltlich sein.
Mal flieg ich hoch, zu Sternen weit,
mal brauch ich einfach deine Zeit.
Ich habe stets ein klares Ziel,
erreichen will ich es mit viel Gefühl.

Was bin ich?
(Die Antwort: die Mission)

EN:
I am a task, both big and small,
Can be sacred or worldly for all.
Sometimes I fly high, to stars afar,
Sometimes I just need your time, near or far.
I always have a clear goal in sight,
To reach it is my main delight (or: with much feeling/effort).

What am I?
(The answer: die Mission / the mission)

🌐 More about "die Mission"

Wortherkunft (Word Origin): The word "Mission" comes from the Latin word missio, meaning "sending", "dispatch", or "assignment". It is related to the verb mittere ("to send", "to dispatch").

Wortzusammensetzungen (Compound Words - Examples):

• Weltraummission (space mission)
• Geheimmission (secret mission)
• Friedensmission (peace mission)
• Missionsbefehl (mission order)
• Missionsbericht (mission report)
• Unternehmensmission (company mission)