die
Pressemitteilung
📰 What exactly is a Pressemitteilung?
A Pressemitteilung (often abbreviated as PM) is an official, written piece of information issued by companies, organizations, authorities, or individuals to the media (press, radio, online portals). The goal is to inform about news, events, products, or viewpoints and to encourage media coverage.
It's an important tool in Public Relations (PR).
Because the word ends in "-ung", it is feminine: die Pressemitteilung.
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: Declining 'Pressemitteilung'
The noun "Pressemitteilung" is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Pressemitteilung |
| Genitive | der | Pressemitteilung |
| Dative | der | Pressemitteilung |
| Accusative | die | Pressemitteilung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Pressemitteilungen |
| Genitive | der | Pressemitteilungen |
| Dative | den | Pressemitteilungen |
| Accusative | die | Pressemitteilungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Das Unternehmen veröffentlichte heute eine wichtige Pressemitteilung.
(The company published an important press release today.) - Der Journalist zitierte aus der Pressemitteilung des Ministeriums.
(The journalist quoted from the ministry's press release.) - Wir müssen den Entwurf der Pressemitteilung noch finalisieren.
(We still need to finalize the draft of the press release.) - Viele Agenturen verschicken ihre Pressemitteilungen per E-Mail.
(Many agencies send their press releases via email.)
💡 How 'Pressemitteilung' is used
The term "Pressemitteilung" is mainly used in the context of media, journalism, public relations, and marketing.
- Typical verbs: eine Pressemitteilung veröffentlichen (to publish), herausgeben (to issue), verschicken (to send out), schreiben (to write), formulieren (to formulate), erhalten (to receive), lesen (to read).
- Context: Announcing new products, personnel changes, business results, events, political decisions, scientific findings, etc.
- Distinction: A Pressemitteilung is generally formulated more factually and informatively than a pure advertisement. It is primarily aimed at journalists, who check the information and possibly use it for their reporting. A Pressemeldung or Nachricht (news report) is often the result of a Pressemitteilung (i.e., the journalistic article).
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of: DIE Mitteilung (the announcement) for DIE Presse (the press) is DIE Pressemitteilung.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a company sending an important Mitteilung (announcement) to the Presse (press) – that's the Pressemitteilung.
↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Presseerklärung (press statement)
- Medienmitteilung (media release)
- Kommuniqué (communiqué - rather official, political)
- Offizielle Mitteilung (official announcement)
- Verlautbarung (announcement, statement)
Antonyms (opposites - in terms of communication type):
⚠️ Similar, but different terms:
- Pressekonferenz: An event where information is given orally to attending journalists, allowing for questions.
- Pressemappe: A collection of materials (incl. press releases, photos, background info) for journalists (press kit).
- Nachricht/Meldung: The news report or article that might result from a press release.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der PR-Chef seinen neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie die Pressemitteilung schon an alle wichtigen Verteiler geschickt?"
Antwortet der Neue: "Ja, Chef! Und zur Sicherheit habe ich sie auch noch bei eBay Kleinanzeigen eingestellt – man weiß ja nie!"
Translation:
The PR manager asks his new employee: "Have you sent the press release to all important distribution lists?"
The newbie replies: "Yes, boss! And just to be safe, I also posted it on eBay classifieds – you never know!"
✍️ A Poem about the Pressemitteilung
Ein Blatt Papier, digital versandt,
Trägt Neuigkeit durchs ganze Land.
Von Firma, Fest, von Plan und Tat,
Für Zeitung, Funk und Stadtrat.
Die Pressemitteilung, klar und knapp,
Bringt Infos auf den nächsten Klapp.
Journalisten lesen, wägen ab,
Was wichtig ist, kommt auf Trab.
Translation:
A sheet of paper, digitally sent,
Carries news across the land it went.
Of company, feast, of plan and deed,
For paper, radio, and city council's need.
The press release, clear and concise,
Brings info for the next device.
Journalists read, weigh it with care,
What's important gets put on the air.
🧩 Who or What am I?
Ich spreche offiziell, doch ohne Mund,
Verkünde Neues, mach es kund.
An Medien werd' ich oft geschickt,
Damit die Welt die Nachricht blickt.
Mein Ende -ung verrät mein Geschlecht,
Ich diene der PR, mal gut, mal schlecht.
Wer bin ich?
(Auflösung: die Pressemitteilung)
Translation:
I speak officially, but without a mouth,
Announce what's new, spread it south (and north!).
To media I am often sent,
So the world sees the news' intent.
My '-ung' ending reveals my gender, 'she',
I serve PR, sometimes with glee, sometimes poorly.
Who am I?
(Solution: die Pressemitteilung / the press release)
🧩 Word Puzzle: Composition and Origin
"Pressemitteilung" is a compound noun (Kompositum):
- Die Presse: Refers to the press as a whole (newspapers, magazines) and the journalists working there.
- Die Mitteilung: An announcement, message, or notification.
Together, the meaning is: an announcement specifically for the press.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Pressemitteilung?
The word "Pressemitteilung" is feminine. The correct article is die Pressemitteilung. The plural is die Pressemitteilungen.
