die  Relevanz

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁeˈleːvants/

🎯 What does 'die Relevanz' mean?

Die Relevanz (noun, feminine) describes the relevance, significance, or importance of something in a specific context. If something is relevant (relevant), it matters, is pertinent, or has an impact on the topic or situation being considered.

It's about whether something is significant for a particular goal, question, or discussion. Irrelevant things are unimportant or secondary to the current context.

🚨 Attention: The word is almost exclusively used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Relevanz

The word 'Relevanz' is a feminine noun and takes the article 'die'. It is typically used only in the singular as it describes an abstract concept.

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

A plural form ('die Relevanzen') is very uncommon and generally avoided. Instead, one might speak of different aspects of relevance or paraphrase.

Example Sentences

1. Die Relevanz dieses Themas ist unbestritten.
   (The relevance of this topic is undisputed.)
2. Der Anwalt prüfte die Relevanz der vorgelegten Beweise.
   (The lawyer checked the relevance of the presented evidence.)
3. Wir müssen die gesellschaftliche Relevanz unserer Forschung aufzeigen.
   (We need to demonstrate the societal relevance of our research.)
4. Der Lehrer betonte die Relevanz des Gelernten für die Prüfung.
   (The teacher emphasized the relevance of what was learned for the exam.)

🗣️ How to use 'Relevanz'?

'Relevanz' is often used in more formal or academic contexts to highlight the importance or significance of something. It emphasizes the connection to a specific context or goal.

• Academic context: Die wissenschaftliche Relevanz einer Studie (The scientific relevance of a study).
• Professional context: Die praktische Relevanz einer neuen Methode für das Unternehmen (The practical relevance of a new method for the company).
• Societal context: Die politische Relevanz einer Entscheidung (The political relevance of a decision).
• Personal context: Die persönliche Relevanz eines Ereignisses für jemanden (The personal relevance of an event for someone).

Compared to Wichtigkeit (importance), 'Relevanz' more strongly emphasizes the connection to a context or specific question. Something can be generally important (hohe Wichtigkeit haben), but irrelevant to a particular question (keine Relevanz haben).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in '-anz' in German are often feminine (die Eleganz, die Toleranz, die Distanz... and thus die Relevanz). Think of it as having feminine 'eleganz*'.

Meaning Mnemonic: It sounds and looks very similar to the English word "relevance". If something is "relevant", it has Relevanz. It's important for what's currently being discussed.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Relevanz

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Relevanz vs. Resonanz: Don't confuse! Resonanz means resonance or response.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Professor: "Ist meine Vorlesung heute von Relevanz für die Prüfung?"
Student: "Nur wenn die Prüfung fragt, wie man am besten einschläft!"

Translation:
The professor asks: "Is my lecture today relevant to the exam?"
Student: "Only if the exam asks for the best way to fall asleep!"

✍️ Poem about Relevanz

Im Meer der Daten, tief und breit,
\Sucht mancher nach der Wichtigkeit.
\Was zählt wirklich, was hat Bestand?
\Die Relevanz, von kluger Hand
\Gefunden, sortiert, ans Licht gebracht,
\Hat oft den Unterschied gemacht.

Translation:
In the sea of data, deep and wide,
Many search for what's important inside.
What truly counts, what will remain?
Relevance, found by a clever brain,
Sorted, brought into the light,
Has often made the difference right.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin nicht sichtbar, doch entscheidend oft,
\Ob eine Antwort auf die Frage hofft.
\Ich messe Wichtigkeit im Kontext fein,
\Ohne mich würd' vieles sinnlos sein.

\Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am not visible, yet often crucial,
Whether an answer to the question is hopeful.
I measure importance finely in context,
Without me, much would be senseless text.

What am I?

Solution: die Relevanz (relevance)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition/Origin:

The word 'Relevanz' comes from the French 'relevant', which in turn derives from the Latin verb 'relevare'. 'Relevare' means "to lift again", "to lighten", "to raise up". Figuratively, it means something that is lifted out from the mass because it is important.

Related words:

• relevant (adjective)
• Irrelevanz (noun, opposite)
• irrelevant (adjective, opposite)