die  Publikation

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/publikaˈt͡si̯oːn/

📖 What does 'die Publikation' mean?

The German noun die Publikation (feminine) refers to two main aspects:

1. The act of publishing: Making information, texts, data, or works accessible to the public (e.g., through print, online). A common synonym for this is 'die Veröffentlichung'.
2. The published work itself: A document, book, article, or other form of content that has been published.

It's a common word in academic, journalistic, and publishing contexts, but also in general usage.

🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with 'das Publikum' (audience)!

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Publikation

The noun 'Publikation' is feminine. The correct article is therefore 'die'.

Declension (Deklination)

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

• Die Publikation des Artikels erfolgte online. (The publication of the article happened online. - Refers to the act)
• Ich habe ihre neueste Publikation gelesen. (I read her latest publication. - Refers to the work)
• Wann ist die Publikation der Studie geplant? (When is the publication of the study planned?)
• Viele wissenschaftliche Publikationen sind nur schwer zugänglich. (Many scientific publications are difficult to access.)

💡 How to use 'Publikation'?

'Publikation' is often used in more formal contexts, but is also suitable for everyday use.

• Wissenschaft & Forschung (Science & Research): Very common for research articles, papers, books, conference papers. (e.g., "Er hat zahlreiche Publikationen in renommierten Fachzeitschriften." - He has numerous publications in renowned journals.)
• Verlagswesen & Journalismus (Publishing & Journalism): Refers to published books, newspapers, magazines, articles. (e.g., "Die Publikation des Buches wurde verschoben." - The publication of the book was postponed.)
• General Use: Any type of publication, including online (blog posts, reports, etc.). (e.g., "Diese Webseite ist eine nützliche Publikation für Lernende." - This website is a useful publication for learners.)

Difference from 'Veröffentlichung': 'Veröffentlichung' can also refer more generally to making things known (e.g., the publication of exam results - 'die Veröffentlichung von Prüfungsergebnissen'), while 'Publikation' focuses more strongly on the work itself or the formal act of publishing. However, the two terms are often interchangeable.

🧠 Mnemonics for Publikation

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ion in German are almost always feminine, so think die Aktion, die Station, die Publikation.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the public for whom a publication is intended. A Publikation is for the Publikum (audience/public).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A little joke

Fragt der Verleger den Autor: "Ihre letzte Publikation war ja ein echter Bestseller! Planen Sie schon die nächste?"
Antwortet der Autor: "Ja, ich schreibe gerade an der Quittung."

(Publisher asks the author: "Your last publication was a real bestseller! Are you already planning the next one?"
Author replies: "Yes, I'm currently writing the receipt.")

📜 A Poem about Publikation

Gedanken, einst im Stillen schwer,
suchen das Licht, das Publikum sehr.
Zu Wort geformt, zu Text gebracht,
für viele Augen nun entfacht.
Die Publikation, gedruckt, digital,
teilt Wissen, Kunst, ganz ohne Wahl.
Ein Werk, das bleibt, wird nun bekannt,
reist durch die Zeit, von Hand zu Hand.

(Thoughts, once heavy in silence,
seek the light, the audience greatly.
Formed into words, brought into text,
ignited now for many eyes.
The publication, printed, digital,
shares knowledge, art, without any choice.
A work that lasts, now becomes known,
travels through time, from hand to hand.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Werk, das man teilt,
ob digital oder auf Papier verweilt.
Forscher bringen mich oft heraus,
Verlage schicken mich ins Haus.
Man liest mich gern, mal hier, mal dort,
bin ein veröffentlichtes Wort (oder mehr).

Was bin ich?

(I am a work that is shared,
whether digital or dwelling on paper.
Researchers often bring me out,
publishers send me to the house.
People like to read me, sometimes here, sometimes there,
I am a published word (or more).

What am I?)
(Answer: die Publikation)

ℹ️ Other Information

Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word 'Publikation' comes from the Latin verb publicare, meaning "to make public" or "to publish." This, in turn, derives from publicus ("public").

Word Formation (Wortbildung): It is a noun formed by adding the suffix -ation (indicating a process or result) to the word stem (related to 'Publikum' - public/audience).