die  Mitwirkung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/mɪtˈvɪʁkʊŋ/

🤝 What does "die Mitwirkung" mean?

Die Mitwirkung (feminine noun) describes the act of participation, cooperation, or contribution towards a common goal, project, or process. It implies active involvement and an influence on the outcome.

• Participation: Actively taking part in an action or event. Example: Die Mitwirkung der Bürger am Stadtfest war großartig. (The citizens' participation in the city festival was great.)
• Cooperation: Working together with others to achieve a goal. Example: Das Projekt war nur durch die Mitwirkung aller Abteilungen möglich. (The project was only possible through the cooperation of all departments.)
• Contribution: Providing input or having an influence on something. Example: Seine Mitwirkung am Drehbuch verbesserte den Film erheblich. (His contribution to the screenplay significantly improved the film.)

In contrast to mere Teilnahme (attendance, participation in the sense of being present), Mitwirkung emphasizes active involvement.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "Mitwirkung" in Detail

The noun "Mitwirkung" is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is die.

Declension:

Singular

Plural

The plural form "die Mitwirkungen" is quite rare and mostly used in formal or legal contexts to refer to different types or acts of participation/contribution. Usually, the singular form is used.

Example Sentences:

• Die Mitwirkung der Eltern ist für den Schulerfolg wichtig.
  (The participation/involvement of the parents is important for school success.)
• Wir danken Ihnen für Ihre wertvolle Mitwirkung.
  (We thank you for your valuable contribution/cooperation.)
• Ohne seine Mitwirkung wäre das Projekt gescheitert.
  (Without his participation/contribution, the project would have failed.)
• Das Gericht forderte die Mitwirkung des Zeugen.
  (The court demanded the cooperation/participation of the witness.)

🚀 How to use "die Mitwirkung"?

"Mitwirkung" is used when active participation or contribution is meant, often in more formal contexts:

• Projects & Work: Cooperation in teams, contribution to a joint effort. (e.g., "unter Mitwirkung von..." - with the participation/contribution of...)
• Law & Administration: Legal obligation to cooperate in administrative procedures (Mitwirkungspflicht), participation in court proceedings.
• Arts & Culture: Contribution to artistic works (e.g., actors, musicians).
• Social Engagement: Active participation in community or political processes.

Differences to similar words:

• Teilnahme: Often just means attendance or being present (e.g., an einer Konferenz teilnehmen - to attend a conference). Mitwirkung implies more active involvement.
• Beitrag: Focuses on the result of the participation, the thing contributed. Mitwirkung emphasizes the process of participating.
• Mitarbeit: Similar to Mitwirkung, often more strongly related to the work context.

🧠 Mnemonics for Mitwirkung

Article Mnemonic: German nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine. Think of the ending -> die Mitwirkung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: "Mit-wirken" sounds like "work with". Mitwirkung is the result of working together or contributing with others.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out for similar words:

• Wirkung: (Effect, impact) - Without the "Mit-" prefix.
• Mitwisser/Mitwisserin: (Accomplice, person in the know) - Someone who knows about an (often illegal) act, but didn't necessarily participate actively (mitwirken).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum braucht ein Projektmanager immer gute Mitwirkung?
Damit er jemanden hat, dem er die Schuld geben kann, wenn etwas schiefgeht! (Nur ein Scherz, Teamwork ist wichtig!) 😉

(Why does a project manager always need good participation/contribution (Mitwirkung)?
So that he has someone to blame when something goes wrong! (Just kidding, teamwork is important!))

📜 Poem about Mitwirkung

Gemeinsam schaffen, Hand in Hand,
Die Mitwirkung knüpft das Band.
Ein jeder trägt ein Stückchen bei,
So wird das Werk vollendet, frei.
Ob groß, ob klein, ob laut, ob still,
Zusammen stark, das ist das Ziel.

(Creating together, hand in hand,
The Mitwirkung ties the band.
Everyone contributes a little piece,
So the work is completed, free.
Whether big or small, loud or quiet,
Strong together, that is the target.)

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Einzelgänger gern,
halte von Teamwork nie sehr fern.
Ich wachse, wenn viele Hände walten,
um gemeinsam Großes zu gestalten.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Mitwirkung

(I don't like being a loner,
I'm never far from teamwork's honor.
I grow when many hands take part,
To shape great things right from the start.

What am I?
Solution: die Mitwirkung (participation/cooperation))

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

"Mitwirkung" is composed of:

• Prefix mit-: means "with", "co-", "along".
• Noun Wirkung: means "effect", "impact", "influence".

So, literally: co-effect or joint influence/action.

Trivia:

In German law, there is the concept of Mitwirkungspflicht (duty to cooperate/participate). This means that citizens or parties in certain proceedings (e.g., social benefits applications, tax procedures) are obligated to actively cooperate in clarifying the facts, for instance, by providing information or documents.