die  Öffnung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈœfnʊŋ/

🚪 What exactly is an Öffnung?

The word die Öffnung (feminine) has several meanings in German:

• An opening, hole, gap, or aperture: This is the most common meaning. It describes a physical gap or free space through which something can pass or which allows a view. Examples include a Türöffnung (door opening), a Fensteröffnung (window opening), or an Öffnung in a wall. In technology, one also speaks of the Blendenöffnung (aperture) of a camera.
• The act of opening: It can also refer to the process of opening something, e.g., the Öffnung (opening) of a new shop or the Öffnung (opening) of a bottle.
• A vacancy or opportunity (often plural): Especially in a professional context, "Öffnung" (more commonly plural: "Öffnungen") can mean a vacancy or an emerging opportunity. Example: Es gibt neue Öffnungen in unserer Marketingabteilung. (There are new openings in our marketing department.)

🚨 Note: Although there are multiple meanings, the article always remains die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Öffnung' in Detail

Die Öffnung is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

💬 Example Sentences

1. Die Katze schlüpfte durch die Öffnung im Zaun.
   (The cat slipped through the opening in the fence.) - Nominative singular, referring to a physical gap.
2. Wir feiern die Öffnung unseres neuen Cafés nächste Woche.
   (We are celebrating the opening of our new café next week.) - Accusative singular, referring to the act of opening.
3. Die Größe der Öffnung bestimmt den Lichteinfall.
   (The size of the opening determines the incidence of light.) - Genitive singular, referring to the aperture.
4. Das Unternehmen sucht Mitarbeiter für mehrere neue Öffnungen.
   (The company is looking for employees for several new openings/vacancies.) - Accusative plural, referring to job vacancies.

💡 How to Use 'die Öffnung' Correctly

The context determines the meaning of die Öffnung:

• In everyday life and construction: Usually refers to physical gaps (door, window, wall opening).
• In photography/optics: Refers to the aperture (Blende), which regulates the amount of light.
• For events/businesses: Describes the act of opening or inauguration.
• In professional life: One speaks of (job) Öffnungen as a synonym for vacancies.

Comparison with similar words:

• Loch: Often smaller and more irregular than a planned Öffnung.
• Spalt: A narrow, elongated Öffnung.
• Lücke: Can also be a temporal or content gap, not just physical.
• Eröffnung: Emphasizes the ceremonial act of beginning (e.g., of a business, an event) more strongly than Öffnung.
• Vakanz: A more specific term for an unfilled position (in a professional context).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Öffnung'

Article Mnemonic: Think of "die Tür" (the door), which often has an Öffnung (opening). Doors are feminine in German (die Tür), so die Öffnung is also feminine.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you öffnen (open - verb) something. The action or the result is die Öffnung. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Whether you open a door, a bottle, a business, or a new job opportunity – you create an Öffnung.

↔️ Opposites and Synonyms: What relates to 'die Öffnung'?

⚠️ Caution: "Aufmachen" is the verb (to open), "Öffnung" is the noun. "Eingang" is the entrance (the place where you enter), while "Öffnung" is the gap itself.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Geist Angst vor der Tür?

Weil er durch jede Öffnung gehen kann, aber nicht weiß, was dahinter ist! 👻

(Why is the ghost afraid of the door?)

(Because it can go through any opening, but doesn't know what's behind it!)

📜 A Short Poem

Ein Spalt im Vorhang, sacht,
die erste Öffnung in der Nacht.
Ein Schlüsselloch, ganz klein und rund, Die Kamera, ihr klickt und wacht,Öffnung Bild entfacht.
Im Herzen manchmal, tief und weit,Öffnung für die neue Zeit.

(A slit in the curtain, soft and slight,
the first opening in the night.
A keyhole, tiny, small and round,The camera, clicking, stays awake,In the heart sometimes, deep and wide,

🧩 Who or What Am I?

Ich kann groß sein wie ein Tor, Man braucht mich, um hineinzusehen, Manchmal bin ich eine Chance klar,
Was bin ich? ... Die Öffnung

(I can be large like a gate,
or small like a needle's eye, straight.
You need me to look inside,
or simply to pass through with stride.
Sometimes I'm a clear chance you see,
for a new job opportunity.

What am I?
... Die Öffnung (The opening))

✨ More about 'die Öffnung'

Word Formation:

The noun die Öffnung is derived from the verb öffnen (to open). The suffix -ung is frequently used in German to form feminine nouns from verbs, often describing the process or result of the action (e.g., warnen -> die Warnung (warning), landen -> die Landung (landing)).

Cultural Context:

The term "Öffnung" can also be used figuratively, e.g., the "Öffnung eines Landes" ('opening' of a country) for trade or tourism, or the "Öffnung" (openness) towards new ideas.