die  Schlussfolgerung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃlʊsfɔlɡəʁʊŋ/

💡 What exactly is a 'Schlussfolgerung'?

The word die Schlussfolgerung (feminine, plural: die Schlussfolgerungen) refers to the result of a thought process where a logical conclusion is drawn from given information (premises). It's the judgment or insight reached at the end of deliberation or argumentation.

Imagine you see wet streets (Prämisse 1) and dark clouds in the sky (Prämisse 2). Your Schlussfolgerung would be: It has probably rained or will rain soon.

• Logical conclusion: Derived from facts or assumptions.
• Insight / Realization (Erkenntnis): What one learns from observation or analysis.
• Conclusion / Summary (Fazit): Often used synonymously, especially at the end of a discussion or text.

⚠️ Attention: A Schlussfolgerung isn't always correct; it depends on the accuracy of the premises and the logic of the deduction.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar under the Microscope: die Schlussfolgerung

The word "Schlussfolgerung" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Example Sentences

1. Nach langer Überlegung kam er zu einer klaren Schlussfolgerung.
   (After long deliberation, he came to a clear conclusion.)
2. Die präsentierten Beweise erlauben nur eine logische Schlussfolgerung.
   (The presented evidence allows only one logical conclusion.)
3. Nicht alle Schlussfolgerungen in seinem Bericht waren stichhaltig.
   (Not all conclusions in his report were valid/sound.)
4. Aus den Daten lassen sich interessante Schlussfolgerungen ziehen.
   (Interesting conclusions can be drawn from the data.)

🎯 When do you use 'Schlussfolgerung'?

The term "Schlussfolgerung" is frequently used in contexts involving logical thinking, analysis, and argumentation:

• Science & Research: Interpreting study results and experiments. (Die Forscher zogen aus den Daten die Schlussfolgerung, dass... - The researchers drew the conclusion from the data that...)
• Philosophy & Logic: Within chains of arguments and deductive/inductive proofs.
• Everyday Life: Simple deductions from observations. (Seine Schlussfolgerung, dass der Zug Verspätung hat, basierte auf der fehlenden Anzeige am Bahnsteig. - His conclusion that the train was delayed was based on the missing display on the platform.)
• Discussions & Debates: As a summary or result of an argument.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Ergebnis (result): Can also be an outcome without a conscious thought process (e.g., the result of a measurement). A Schlussfolgerung is specifically the result of thinking.
• Konsequenz (consequence): Refers more to the effect or outcome of an event or action, not primarily to a mental process.
• Fazit (conclusion, summary): Very similar, often synonymous. A Fazit often summarizes and evaluates, while Schlussfolgerung emphasizes the logical step of deduction more strongly.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Schlussfolgerung'

1. For the article 'die': Think of 'the' logic or 'the' reasoning leading to a conclusion. Many German nouns ending in '-ung' are feminine (die), like die Schlussfolgerung.
2. For the meaning: Imagine you follow (folgern) clues to the 'Schluss' (end, conclusion). What you find at the end is the Schlussfolgerung. It's the logical end of the trail.

You follow the thoughts to the Schluss (close/end) – that's die Schlussfolgerung!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😄 A Little Thought-Provoking Chuckle

Fragt der Lehrer: "Wenn ich sage: 'Ich bin schön', welche Zeitform ist das?"
Schüler: "Vergangenheit, Herr Lehrer. Und eine falsche Schlussfolgerung."

Teacher asks: "If I say: 'I am beautiful', what tense is that?"
Student: "Past tense, teacher. And a false conclusion."

📜 A Leap of Thought to the Conclusion

Aus A wird B, so scheint es klar,
Man denkt und wägt, ist das auch wahr?
Man prüft die Fakten, Stück für Stück,
Sucht Logik und des Wissens Glück.

Ein Indiz hier, ein Hinweis dort,
Verbindet sich zu einem Wort:
Am Ende steht, ganz ohne Zwang,
Die Schlussfolgerung, kurz und lang.

--- English Translation ---

From A comes B, it seems so clear,
One thinks and weighs, is it truly dear?
One checks the facts, piece by piece,
Seeks logic and knowledge's release.

A clue right here, a hint right there,
Connects itself into a share:
At the end it stands, without constraint,
The conclusion, short and long, a paint.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin das Kind von „Wenn“ und „Dann“,
Geboren aus dem Denkverstand.
Ich folge auf Beweis und Grund,
Und mache manchen Standpunkt kund.

Was bin ich?

--- English Translation ---

I am the child of "If" and "Then",
Born from the thinking mind of men.
I follow proof and solid ground,
And make many viewpoints known around.

What am I?
(Solution: die Schlussfolgerung / the conclusion)

🧩 More Tidbits

Word Composition:

The word "Schlussfolgerung" is a compound noun, made up of:

• Schluss: Here means 'end' or 'close' (of a line of thought).
• Folgerung: Means 'inferring', 'deducing', 'consequence'. Derived from the verb "folgern" (to infer, to conclude).

So, literally, it translates to something like "end-deduction" or "concluding inference," which accurately captures its meaning.