die
Rücksendung
📦 What exactly is a Rücksendung?
Die Rücksendung (noun, feminine) describes the act of sending something back that one has previously received. Typically, it refers to goods that are not liked, are defective, or were delivered incorrectly, especially in the context of online shopping. However, it can also include letters or other postal items that are returned to the sender.
- Meaning 1: The process of sending goods back (e.g., to an online retailer).
- Meaning 2: The returned item or postal consignment itself.
Sometimes the term Retoure is used synonymously, especially in commerce.
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 Insights: Declining die Rücksendung
The word Rücksendung is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die. Like most nouns ending in -ung, it's feminine, which helps in remembering the article.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Rücksendung |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Rücksendung |
| Dative (To whom/What?) | der | Rücksendung |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Rücksendung |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Rücksendungen |
| Accusative | die | Rücksendungen |
| Dative | den | Rücksendungen |
| Genitive | der | Rücksendungen |
Example Sentences
- Ich muss die Rücksendung vorbereiten.
(I have to prepare the return shipment.) - Die Kosten für die Rücksendung trägt der Käufer.
(The buyer bears the costs for the return.) - Wir haben viele Rücksendungen nach Weihnachten.
(We have many returns after Christmas.) - Wegen eines Fehlers in der Adresse kam es zur Rücksendung des Briefes.
(Due to an error in the address, the letter was returned. / ...resulted in the return of the letter.)
🔄 When and how to use Rücksendung?
The term Rücksendung is very common, especially in connection with:
- Online shopping and mail order: When customers want to send back ordered items.
- Postal services: When letters or packages are undeliverable and are returned to the sender (Absender).
- Formal communication: In business letters or official processes when documents or items are sent back.
In everyday language, especially when shopping, the word Retoure is often used as well (e.g., "Ich muss noch die Retoure zur Post bringen." - "I still need to take the return to the post office.").
Difference from Rückgabe: While Rücksendung emphasizes the act of sending back (often by mail), Rückgabe can also mean personally bringing something back (e.g., to a store).
🧠 Mnemonics for die Rücksendung
For the article: The ending "-ung" in German is powerfully feminine – it almost always takes the article die! Think of other -ung words: die Sendung (shipment), die Bestellung (order), die Rechnung (bill), die Rücksendung (return).
For the meaning: Imagine a shipment (Sendung) doing a U-turn and coming back (rück-) to the sender – that's the Rücksendung.
↔️ Opposites and Alternatives: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Retoure: Very common in commerce, often synonymous with Rücksendung for goods.
- Rückgabe: Can also mean returning something in person, not just by mail.
- Rücklieferung: More common in a business context for returned deliveries.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Zusendung: The act of sending something to someone.
- Lieferung: The delivery of goods.
- Empfang: The receipt of a shipment.
- Bestellung: The order to send/deliver something.
Similar, but distinct words:
- Rückporto: Postage for the return shipment.
- Rückschein: Proof of delivery, often used with registered mail (Einschreiben).
😄 A Little Joke about Rücksendung
Warum hat der Kunde das leere Paket zurückgeschickt?
Weil auf dem Lieferschein stand: "Inhalt: Leere Versprechungen." Die Rücksendung war also konsequent!
(Why did the customer send back the empty package?
Because the delivery note said: "Contents: Empty promises." So the return (Rücksendung) was logical!)
📜 Poem about an Annoying Return
Das Paket kam an, voll Freud' und Glück,
doch passt es nicht, das gute Stück.
Zu groß, zu klein, die Farb' nicht fein,
nun muss es schnell zurück ins Heim.
Zettel drucken, Karton suchen,
zur Post laufen, leise fluchen.
Die Rücksendung, welch ein Akt,
hat Zeit und Nerven mir geknackt!
(The package arrived, full of joy and luck,
but it doesn't fit, the lovely stuff.
Too big, too small, the color not fine,
now it must quickly return to its shrine.)
(Print the label, find a box,
run to the post office, quietly curse the clocks.
The return shipment, what an act,
has cracked my time and nerves, in fact!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Weg, doch führt er nicht voran,
er bringt zurück, was einst begann.
Bestellt, erhalten, doch nicht behalten,
muss man mich oft sorgsam gestalten.
Wer bin ich?
(I am a path, but lead not ahead,
I bring back what once was started instead.
Ordered, received, but not to keep,
One must often shape me, carefully and deep.
What am I?)
Solution: Die Rücksendung (The return shipment)
🧩 Word Components and More
Word Composition:
The word Rücksendung is composed of:
- rück- : Prefix indicating a backward movement or repetition (as in zurück - back).
- Sendung : Noun referring to the act of sending or the item sent (from senden - to send).
Interesting Fact: The rise of e-commerce has significantly increased the frequency and importance of the word Rücksendung in everyday German life.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Rücksendung?
The German word "Rücksendung" is feminine. The correct article is always die Rücksendung. Remember: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die).