die  Sektion

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/zɛkˈtsi̯oːn/

📖 What does "die Sektion" mean?

The word die Sektion (feminine) has several meanings, depending on the context:

• Department or Section: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a part of a larger entity, e.g., a department within an organization, authority, company, or even a section in a book or text. Example: die politische Sektion der Partei (the political section of the party), die medizinische Sektion des Krankenhauses (the medical section of the hospital).
• Medical Examination (Autopsy/Post-mortem): In a medical context, die Sektion refers to the internal examination of a deceased body to determine the cause of death or to research diseases. Example: Nach dem ungeklärten Todesfall ordnete der Staatsanwalt eine Sektion an. (After the unexplained death, the prosecutor ordered an autopsy.)
• Dissection or Cut (technical/scientific): It can also mean a cut or the dissection of an object for analysis purposes, e.g., in anatomy or biology.
• Club/Association Section: Especially in Alpine clubs (Alpenvereine), die Sektion denotes a local or regional subgroup. Example: Er ist Mitglied der Sektion München des Deutschen Alpenvereins. (He is a member of the Munich section of the German Alpine Club.)

🚨 Attention: Don't confuse die Sektion with der Sekt (sparkling wine)!

🧐 Grammar of "die Sektion" in Detail

Die Sektion is a feminine noun. Like most feminine nouns ending in -ion, it always takes the article die.

Declension

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die wissenschaftliche Sektion des Kongresses war sehr gut besucht.
   (The scientific section of the congress was very well attended.)
2. Die Ergebnisse der Sektion werden nächste Woche erwartet.
   (The results of the autopsy are expected next week.)
3. Unsere Wandergruppe gehört zur Sektion Berlin.
   (Our hiking group belongs to the Berlin section.)
4. Im Buch widmet sich eine ganze Sektion diesem Thema.
   (In the book, an entire section is dedicated to this topic.)

✍️ How to use "die Sektion"?

The usage of die Sektion strongly depends on the context:

• In offices or organizations: Here, Sektion is often interchangeable with Abteilung (department) or Bereich (area), but can sometimes sound more formal or specific (e.g., in ministries, large corporations, international organizations).
• In medicine: Here, the specific meaning is autopsy or post-mortem. The term is mainly used in jargon or official contexts. In general language, Obduktion is more common.
• In clubs/associations: Especially in Alpine clubs, Sektion is the standard term for a regional subgroup.
• In texts/books: Here, Sektion is synonymous with Abschnitt (section) or Kapitel (chapter), but is used less frequently and often sounds more scientific or technical.

Compared to Abteilung, Sektion often seems a bit more specific or distinct. Abschnitt usually refers to parts of texts or periods of time. Bereich is often more general than Sektion or Abteilung.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Sektion"

1. Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ion are almost always feminine in German, so it's die Aktion (action), die Station (station), die Sektion. Imagine an elegant lady (feminine 'die') managing an organisation and visiting various sections.

2. Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English word "section" or the Latin "secare" (to cut). A Sektion is always something that has been 'cut off' or divided, whether it's a part of an organization (a department), a part of a body (during an autopsy), or a part of a club.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• der Sekt: Sparkling wine. Nothing to do with die Sektion.
• die Sekte: A sect (often religious). Sounds similar, but completely different meaning.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "In welcher Sektion möchten Sie denn am liebsten arbeiten?"
Antwortet der Neue: "Am liebsten in der Sektion 'Feierabend'!"

(Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Which section would you most like to work in?"
The newbie replies: "Preferably in the 'Quitting Time' section!")

✍️ Poem about Sections

Ob Amt, Verein, ob Medizin,
die Sektion hat ihren Sinn.
Ein Teil vom Ganzen, klar getrennt,
strukturierend, kompetent.
Mal prüft sie, was verborgen war,
mal eint sie eine Mitgliederschar.

(Translation: Whether office, club, or medicine,
the section has its purpose.
A part of the whole, clearly separated,
structuring, competent.
Sometimes it examines what was hidden,
sometimes it unites a group of members.)

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin ein Teil, doch nie allein,
kann in Behörden oder Körpern sein.
Manchmal trenn' ich, um zu versteh'n,
manchmal lass ich Gruppen entstehen.

Was bin ich?

(Translation:
I am a part, but never alone,
I can be in authorities or bodies.
Sometimes I divide in order to understand,
sometimes I let groups arise.

What am I?)

Solution: die Sektion

💡 Other Information

Etymology: The word Sektion comes from the Latin word sectio, meaning "the cutting", "cut" or "section". This derives from the verb secare ("to cut").

Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): The word often forms compounds, e.g.:

• Sektionschef / Sektionschefin: Head of a section (department).
• Sektionsleiter / Sektionsleiterin: Similar to Sektionschef/in, often used in clubs/associations.
• Gerichtssektion: The performance of a court-ordered autopsy.
• Alpenvereinssektion: A local group of the Alpine Club.