die
Personenbeschreibung
🧐 What Exactly is a Personenbeschreibung?
Die Personenbeschreibung is, as the name suggests, the detailed description of a person. The goal is to create the most accurate picture possible of this person in the mind of the reader or listener.
- It usually focuses on äußere Merkmale (external characteristics) such as height, build, estimated age, hair color, eye color, face shape, clothing, and special features (e.g., scars, tattoos, glasses).
- Depending on the context, it can also include Verhaltensweisen (behaviors), typical Bewegungen (movements), or the Stimme (voice), but usually remains factual and focused on observable details.
- You often find Personenbeschreibungen in literature (character introduction), in police investigations (witness statements, wanted posters 📝), or as a school assignment in German class. ✍️
The point is to describe a person in such a way that others can (re)identify them or at least form a clear mental image.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
📝 Grammar and Declension of Personenbeschreibung
The word "Personenbeschreibung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is die.
| Case | Feminine |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Personenbeschreibung |
| Genitive | der Personenbeschreibung |
| Dative | der Personenbeschreibung |
| Accusative | die Personenbeschreibung |
| Case | Feminine |
|---|---|
| Nominative | die Personenbeschreibungen |
| Genitive | der Personenbeschreibungen |
| Dative | den Personenbeschreibungen |
| Accusative | die Personenbeschreibungen |
Example Sentences
- Die Polizistin bat den Zeugen um eine genaue Personenbeschreibung des Täters.
(The police officer asked the witness for a detailed description of the perpetrator.) - Im Deutschunterricht mussten wir eine Personenbeschreibung unserer Lieblingsfigur aus einem Buch anfertigen.
(In German class, we had to create a personal description of our favorite character from a book.) - Anhand der Personenbeschreibung konnte der Mann schnell identifiziert werden.
(Based on the description, the man could be quickly identified.) - Die Autorin begann das Kapitel mit einer detaillierten Personenbeschreibung des neuen Charakters.
(The author began the chapter with a detailed description of the new character.)
✍️ Usage in Daily Life and Texts
Die Personenbeschreibung is used in various contexts:
- School & Education: A common task in German lessons to train observation skills and linguistic expression.
- Police & Security: Essential when searching for missing or wanted persons (Steckbriefe/wanted posters, witness statements).
- Literature & Film: Authors and screenwriters use it to bring characters to life for the audience.
- Everyday Life: When describing someone the conversation partner doesn't know ("He has short blond hair, wears glasses...").
Important Distinction: A Personenbeschreibung focuses primarily on external, visible features and is usually objective. A Charakterisierung goes deeper, describing internal traits, motives, thoughts, and feelings of a person.
⚠️ Be sure to remain factual, especially in official contexts. Judgmental adjectives (e.g., "hässlich" - ugly, "dumm" - stupid) do not belong in a neutral Personenbeschreibung.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Imagine describing 'die Dame' (the lady) over there. The word 'Beschreibung' (description) is feminine, hence die Personenbeschreibung.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word clearly breaks down: Personen (persons) + Beschreibung (description). So, it describes persons. Simple!
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Beschreibung: More general, can refer to anything, not just people.
- Porträt: Often more artistic, can also be a painted or photographed picture; in writing, usually more detailed and subjective.
- Schilderung: Similar, often a bit more vivid and narrative.
- Steckbrief: Specific to police wanted notices, often includes a picture and standardized characteristics.
Antonyms (Opposing Meaning):
- Charakterisierung: (Not a direct antonym, but often contrasted) Focuses on inner traits, nature, character.
- Verallgemeinerung / Typisierung: Describes not a specific person, but a type or group (generalization / typification).
- Anonymisierung: The opposite of identification through description; features are removed or obscured (anonymization).
🚨 Be careful to distinguish it from Charakterisierung, which is often mistakenly used synonymously but focuses on inner qualities.
😂 A Little Joke
German:
Fragt der Polizist den Zeugen: "Können Sie den Dieb beschreiben?"
Sagt der Zeuge: "Ja, er hatte Arme, Beine und einen Kopf."
Polizist: "Sehr witzig. Gibt es noch etwas Spezifischeres?"
Zeuge: "Ja, er trug Kleidung!"
English Translation:
The police officer asks the witness: "Can you describe the thief?"
The witness says: "Yes, he had arms, legs, and a head."
Police officer: "Very funny. Is there anything more specific?"
Witness: "Yes, he was wearing clothes!"
(Shows how important details are in a Personenbeschreibung!)
📜 Poem about Description
German:
Groß oder klein, die Haare fein,
Augen blau oder doch eher braun?
Die Kleidung schlicht, im Sonnenlicht,
Ein Lächeln zart auf dem Gesicht.
Narbe am Kinn, wo fang ich an?
So malt das Wort den Mann, die Frau,
Die Personenbeschreibung, genau,
Macht Fremde sichtbar, Zug um Zug.
English Translation:
Tall or short, the hair so fine,
Eyes of blue or rather brown design?
The clothes are plain, in sunlight's gleam,
A gentle smile, a facial theme.
A scar on the chin, where to begin?
Thus paints the word the woman, man,
The person's description, by its plan,
Makes strangers seen, trait after trait within.
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich male mit Worten, ganz ohne Pinsel,
Zeige dir Haare, Nase und Schlawiner-Grinsel.
Ich helfe der Polizei und im Deutschunterricht,
Beschreibe genau ein fremdes Gesicht.
Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Personenbeschreibung)
English Translation:
I paint with words, no brush I hold,
Show you hair, nose, and a grin so bold.
I help the police and in German class's light,
Describing exactly a stranger's sight.
What am I?
(Answer: die Personenbeschreibung / the personal description)
🧩 Further Details
Word Composition:
The word is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:
- die Person (plural: die Personen) - the person / people
- die Beschreibung - the description
Since the base word "Beschreibung" is feminine (die Beschreibung), the compound word "Personenbeschreibung" is also feminine (die Personenbeschreibung). The first part "Personen-" specifies *what* is being described.
Typical Structure of a Personenbeschreibung (e.g., in a school context):
- Introduction: Who is being described? (Name, age, possibly context)
- Main Body: Physical appearance (from top to bottom or from striking to subtle): Height, build, age, hair, eyes, face, clothing, special features.
- Conclusion (optional): Overall impression, possibly noticeable behavior (depending on the task).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Personenbeschreibung?
The word "Personenbeschreibung" is a feminine noun. The correct article is always die (die Personenbeschreibung, der Personenbeschreibung...).