die  Operation

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɔpɛʁaˈt͡si̯oːn/

🩺 What does "die Operation" mean?

The noun die Operation (feminine) has several meanings, often depending on the context:

• Medical: A surgical procedure performed on the body to treat illness or injury. Example: Die Blinddarm-Operation verlief erfolgreich. (The appendectomy was successful.)
• Military: A planned military action or campaign. Example: Die Operation Wüstensturm war eine militärische Maßnahme. (Operation Desert Storm was a military measure.)
• Business/Technical: A planned process or action to achieve a specific goal; a work step. Example: Die Marketing-Operation soll den Umsatz steigern. (The marketing operation aims to increase sales.) / Der Computer führt Millionen Operationen pro Sekunde aus. (The computer performs millions of operations per second.)
• Mathematical: An arithmetic rule (e.g., addition, multiplication). Example: Die Grundrechenarten sind mathematische Operationen. (The basic arithmetic operations are mathematical operations.)

⚠️ Although there are different meanings, the article is always die, because the word ends in "-tion", which typically marks feminine nouns in German.

📚 Grammar of "die Operation" in Detail

"Die Operation" is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Die Ärztin bereitete die Operation sorgfältig vor. (The doctor carefully prepared the operation. - Accusative Singular)
2. Der Erfolg der Operation hing von präziser Planung ab. (The success of the operation depended on precise planning. - Genitive Singular)
3. Nach der Operation brauchte der Patient Ruhe. (After the operation, the patient needed rest. - Dative Singular)
4. Militärische Operationen sind oft komplex. (Military operations are often complex. - Nominative Plural)
5. Die Firma analysierte die Ergebnisse der verschiedenen Operationen. (The company analyzed the results of the various operations. - Genitive Plural)

💡 How "die Operation" is used

• In the hospital: When talking about an Operation, it usually means the surgical procedure ("OP"). Common phrases are: "sich einer Operation unterziehen" (to undergo surgery) or "eine Operation durchführen" (to perform an operation).
• In the military: Here, Operation refers to a planned action, often with a code name. People talk about "militärische Operationen" (military operations).
• In business/technology: Here, Operation describes a process, a procedure, or a targeted measure. Examples include "Marketing-Operation" (marketing operation/campaign), "logistische Operation" (logistical operation), or "Rechenoperation" (arithmetical operation).
• Distinction: While die Operation often describes a larger, planned process, der Eingriff is more specific to medical procedures (but can be used synonymously). Die Aktion (action) can be more spontaneous than an operation. Der Vorgang (process, procedure) is more neutral and general.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Operation"

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-tion" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of other examples: die Aktion (action), die Station (station), die Nation (nation)... and of course, die Operation! Remember the 'shun' sound often links to die.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a surgeon, a general, and a business manager all planning their next big move. They all need a plan, a procedure, an 'operation' to succeed. Whether cutting into a body, launching a campaign, or running a business process, it's a planned 'Operation'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Operieren (verb): To operate (perform surgery) or to operate (function, act).
• Operativ (adjective): Operational, surgical (medical); operational (military/business - relating to operations).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chefarzt den neuen Assistenzarzt: "Haben Sie schon einmal eine Blinddarm-Operation durchgeführt?"
Antwortet der Assistenzarzt: "Ja, unzählige Male!"
Chefarzt: "Und wie oft war sie erfolgreich?"
Assistenzarzt: "Naja, einmal muss es ja klappen!"

Translation: The chief physician asks the new assistant doctor: "Have you ever performed an appendectomy?"
The assistant doctor replies: "Yes, countless times!"
Chief physician: "And how often was it successful?"
Assistant doctor: "Well, it's bound to work out eventually!"

📜 Poem about an Operation

Im Saale Licht, ganz steril und rein,
liegt still der Mensch, noch voller Schein.
Die Operation, sie naht heran,
ein Schnitt, ein Plan, ein ernster Mann.
Mit ruhiger Hand und scharfem Blick,
kämpft er für des Lebens Glück.
Ein Eingriff tief, für Wohl und Heil,
die Hoffnung wächst, mit jedem Teil.

Translation:
In the bright room, sterile and clean,
lies the person still, full of sheen.
The operation, it approaches near,
a cut, a plan, a man severe.
With steady hand and sharpest gaze,
he fights for life in many ways.
A deep intervention, for health and weal,
hope grows anew, with all its zeal.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kann im Krankenhaus Leben retten,
auf dem Schlachtfeld Strategien betten.
Auch Zahlen füge ich gern z'samm,
als geplanter Vorgang, nicht als Kram.

Was bin ich, stets mit femininem Kleid?

Translation:
I can save lives in a hospital bed,
Embed strategies where battles are led.
I also like putting numbers together,
As a planned process, light as a feather.

What am I, always dressed in feminine style?

(... Die Operation / The Operation)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Operation" comes from the Latin word operatio, meaning "work", "activity", or "effect". It is related to the Latin verb operari (to work, to be active).

Compounds: There are many compound words, e.g., Herzoperation (heart surgery), Militäroperation (military operation), Rettungsoperation (rescue operation), Rechenoperation (arithmetic operation).

Abbreviation: In a medical context, the abbreviation "OP" is often used. Note: der OP refers to the operating room (Operationssaal), while die OP refers to the operation/surgery itself (die Operation).