die  Schließung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃliːsʊŋ/

🚪 What does 'die Schließung' mean?

The German noun die Schließung (feminine noun) means 'closure' or 'closing'. It refers to the act of closing something or the state of being closed. It's often used in the context of shops, businesses, institutions, or the end of a process.

• Act of closing: The active process of shutting down or ending something. Example: Die Schließung des Ladens erfolgte um 18 Uhr. (The closing of the shop took place at 6 PM.)
• State of being closed: The fact that something is not open or active (often permanently or temporarily). Example: Die drohende Schließung der Fabrik beunruhigt die Mitarbeiter. (The impending closure of the factory worries the employees.)
• Termination: The end of a process or event. Example: Die Schließung der Akte bedeutet das Ende der Untersuchung. (The closure of the file means the end of the investigation.)

🚨 Note: Although 'Schließung' is derived from the verb 'schließen' (to close), it usually refers to a more formal or definitive type of closing than just shutting a door.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Schließung' in Detail

The noun 'Schließung' is feminine. Its plural form is 'die Schließungen'.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences ✍️

1. Die Schließung des Betriebs wurde offiziell bekannt gegeben.
   (The closure of the business was officially announced.)
2. Wegen Renovierungsarbeiten kommt es zu einer vorübergehenden Schließung des Museums.
   (Due to renovation work, there will be a temporary closure of the museum.)
3. Die Gewerkschaft protestiert gegen die geplanten Schließungen von Filialen.
   (The union is protesting against the planned closures of branches.)
4. Nach der Schließung der Wahllokale beginnt die Auszählung.
   (After the closing of the polling stations, the counting begins.)

💼 Context and Usage

'Die Schließung' is often used in formal or official contexts, especially concerning the end of economic activities or institutional services.

• Business/Commerce: Betriebsschließung (company closure), Geschäftsschließung (shop closure), Werksschließung (factory closure), Filialschließung (branch closure) - often for economic reasons.
• Administration/Public Service: Schließung einer Behörde (closure of an authority), Schule (school), Bibliothek (library), eines Krankenhauses (hospital) - often due to restructuring, holidays, or lack of funds.
• Temporary vs. Permanent: A distinction is made between vorübergehende Schließung (temporary closure, e.g., for holidays, renovations) and endgültige Schließung (permanent closure, liquidation).
• Processes: Schließung einer Akte (closure of a file), Schließung einer Sitzung (closing of a meeting).

Distinction from similar words:

• Zumachen: More colloquial for the physical act of closing (Tür zumachen - close the door, Laden zumachen - close the shop).
• Einstellung: Often refers to the cessation of an activity or operation, similar to Schließung, but sometimes focuses more on stopping the activity itself.
• Abschluss: Refers more to the successful completion of a project, studies, or a task.

💡 Mnemonics for 'Schließung'

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Remember: The ending '-ung' makes 'Schließung' feminine → die Schließung. Think of 'the closing'.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains 'schließen' (to close). Imagine a heavy door *CLICKING* shut – that moment is the Schließung (closure). The sound 'schließ' sounds a bit like 'cease', signifying an end.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words: Don't confuse with 'Schluss' (end, conclusion, finish) or 'Abschluss' (completion, graduation, degree).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Bäckerladen so früh geschlossen?

Er brauchte dringend eine Schließung – sein Teig war zu müde zum Aufgehen! 😄

(Why did the bakery close so early?
It urgently needed a closure – its dough was too tired to rise! 😄)

📜 Poem about Closure

Die Tür fällt zu, das Licht geht aus,
Ein Schild hängt draußen vor dem Haus.
Die Schließung kommt, mal laut, mal leis,
Beendet Arbeit, Fleiß und Schweiß.
Ob Laden, Werk, ob Amt, ob Tor,
Ein Ende steht nun uns bevor.
Doch nach der Schließung, das ist klar,
Kommt oft ein Neuanfang – wunderbar!

(The door slams shut, the light goes out,
A sign hangs outside, there's no doubt.
The closure comes, sometimes loud, sometimes low,
\Ending work, diligence, sweat, and glow.
Be it shop, factory, office, or gate,
An end now stands before us, it's fate.
But after the closure, that much is clear,
A new beginning often appears – oh dear!)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich beende den Betrieb, mach' Lichter aus,
Bin manchmal traurig, bring' manchen nach Haus.
Ob vorübergehend oder für immer,
Ich setze dem Treiben ein Ende, ganz sicher.

Was bin ich? (... Die Schließung)

(I end the operation, turn off the lights,
Am sometimes sad, send some home from their plights.
Whether temporary or forevermore,
I put an end to the hustle, that's for sure.

What am I?
(... The Closure / Die Schließung))

🧩 Other Information

Word Formation:

'Schließung' is a noun derived from the verb schließen (to close). The suffix '-ung' is often used in German to form nouns from verbs, typically describing the process or result of the action.

Compound Words (Komposita):

The word is frequently part of compound nouns that specify the reason or location of the closure:

• Betriebsschließung: Company closure.
• Geschäftsschließung: Shop/business closure.
• Schulschließung: School closure (e.g., during holidays or permanently).
• Zwangsschließung: Forced closure (ordered by authorities).
• Saisonschließung: Seasonal closure.