die  Schätzung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃɛt͡sʊŋ/

🧐 What exactly is a 'Schätzung'?

Die Schätzung (noun, feminine) has several related meanings, often revolving around the idea of assessment or evaluation:

• Estimate / Approximation: This is the most common meaning. An approximate calculation or judgment of something whose exact value is not (yet) known. For example, die Schätzung of repair costs or die Schätzung of the number of participants.
• Valuation / Appraisal: Especially in a financial or material context, the determination of the value of an item, e.g., die Schätzung of a house by an appraiser.
• Appreciation / Esteem (less common, often plural): An expression of respect or high opinion of someone or something. Example: "Er brachte seine Schätzung für ihre Arbeit zum Ausdruck." (He expressed his appreciation for her work.) This meaning is somewhat more formal and less common in everyday language than the first two.

🚨 Because the word ends in -ung, it's feminine (die Schätzung).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar Spotlight: Die Schätzung

The noun "Schätzung" is feminine. It declines as follows:

Example Sentences

1. (Estimate) Nach meiner Schätzung werden etwa 100 Gäste kommen.
   (According to my estimate, about 100 guests will come.)
2. (Valuation) Die Schätzung des Kunstwerks ergab einen Wert von 50.000 Euro.
   (The appraisal of the artwork resulted in a value of 50,000 euros.)
3. (Appreciation) Seine Kollegen brachten ihm große Schätzung entgegen.
   (His colleagues showed him great appreciation.) (Often singular here, but plural "Schätzungen" is common for meanings 1 & 2)
4. (Estimates) Die ersten Schätzungen waren viel zu niedrig.
   (The initial estimates were far too low.)

💡 How to Use 'Schätzung' Correctly

"Schätzung" is used in various contexts:

• In everyday life: For approximate information about quantities, costs, times, etc. ("Das dauert meiner Schätzung nach noch eine Stunde." - In my estimation, that will take another hour.)
• Business & Finance: In the valuation of real estate, companies, stocks, artworks, etc., by experts (appraisers, analysts).
• Science & Technology: When exact measurements are not possible or necessary, e.g., estimation of populations, distances, probabilities.
• Planning: In budgeting or resource planning (Kostenschätzung - cost estimate, Aufwandsschätzung - effort estimate).

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Bewertung: Often synonymous with Schätzung (valuation), but can also mean a qualitative assessment (e.g., evaluation of performance).
• Einschätzung: Very similar to the first meaning of Schätzung, often interchangeable. Can also refer to opinions or situations ("Wie ist deine Einschätzung der Situation?" - What's your assessment of the situation?).
• Prognose: Looks more into the future than a Schätzung, often based on models (Wetterprognose - weather forecast, Wirtschaftsprognose - economic forecast).
• Annahme: An assumption used as a basis for further consideration, often less substantiated than a Schätzung.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Schätzung'

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine. Think of die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Rechnung (bill) – and also die Schätzung. The '-ung' ending strongly suggests 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English word 'estimation'. It sounds a bit like 'Schätzung' if you imagine the 'Sch' sound. Both involve figuring something out approximately. Or, link it to the German word 'Schatz' (treasure) – you often need to estimate the value of a treasure; the result is die Schätzung.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with "der Schatz" (treasure)! Although the words are related (etwas schätzen = to value something), the meaning and gender are different.

😄 A Little Joke about Estimating

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Können Sie gut schätzen?" Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Ich schätze schon!"

English Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Are you good at estimating?" The employee replies: "I estimate so!" (It's a pun: "Ich schätze schon" can mean "I estimate so" or "I suppose so / I guess so").

📜 Poem about Estimation

German:
Die Zahl exakt, das wär' ein Traum,
Doch oft genügt im weiten Raum
Ein ungefährer, kluger Blick,
Ein Wert bestimmt mit viel Geschick.
Ob Kosten, Menge oder Zeit,
Die Schätzung steht oft schon bereit.
Sie hilft beim Planen, groß und klein,
So soll's bei der Kalkulation sein.

English Translation:
The number exact, that would be a dream,
But often suffices in the wide scheme
An approximate, clever glance,
A value determined with skillful chance.
Whether cost, quantity, or time's constraint,
The estimate is often not faint.
It helps with planning, large and small,
That's how it should be for calculation's call.

🧩 Who am I? A Riddle

German:
Ich bin keine exakte Zahl,
Doch nützlich bin ich allemal.
Bei Kosten, Wert und Menge klein,
Sag ich dir ungefähr, wie's könnt' sein.
Der Gutachter braucht mich sehr,
Auch im Alltag, hin und her.

Wer bin ich? → Die Schätzung

English Translation:
I am not an exact number,
But useful I am, without slumber.
For costs, value, and quantity small,
I tell you roughly how things might fall.
The appraiser needs me much,
In everyday life too, such and such.

Who am I? → The Estimate (Die Schätzung)

🤓 Trivia and Word Formation

Word Formation:

The word "Schätzung" is derived from the verb "schätzen". The suffix "-ung", as often, forms a feminine noun describing the process or result of the action.

• schätz(en) (verb: to estimate, to value, to appreciate)
• + -ung (suffix for forming nouns, usually feminine)
• = die Schätzung

Typical Collocations (Words often used together):

• eine grobe / vorsichtige / erste Schätzung (a rough / careful / initial estimate)
• nach meiner Schätzung (according to my estimate)
• eine Schätzung abgeben / vornehmen (to provide / carry out an estimate)
• die Schätzung eines Experten (an expert's estimate/appraisal)