die  Sitzung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtsɪtsʊŋ/

What Exactly is a Sitzung? 🛋️

Die Sitzung (feminine) generally refers to a formal or organized gathering of people for a specific purpose, usually for discussion, consultation, or decision-making. It often takes place in a professional, political, or institutional context.

• Meaning 1: A meeting or assembly where discussions or decisions take place (e.g., a work *Sitzung*, parliamentary *Sitzung*, board *Sitzung*).
• Meaning 2: A period during which a specific activity occurs (e.g., a therapy *Sitzung*, a court *Sitzung*).
• Meaning 3 (rarer, more technical): A period of interaction between a user and a system (e.g., a browser *Sitzung* - often also the English 'session' is used here, even in German).

🚨 Caution: Although it comes from the verb *'sitzen'* (*to sit*), *'Sitzung'* doesn't necessarily imply that all participants are sitting, though this is usually the case.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar of 'die Sitzung' in Detail 🧐

The noun *'Sitzung'* is feminine. The article is *'die'*. It follows the typical declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in '-ung'.

Example Sentences for Usage

1. Die nächste Sitzung des Vorstands findet am Dienstag statt.
   (The next board meeting takes place on Tuesday.)
2. Der Therapeut beendete die Sitzung nach 50 Minuten.
   (The therapist ended the session after 50 minutes.)
3. Wegen technischer Probleme musste die Online-Sitzung abgebrochen werden.
   (Due to technical problems, the online session/meeting had to be cancelled.)
4. Der Bundestag hält heute eine wichtige Sitzung ab.
   (The Bundestag is holding an important session today.)
5. Wir müssen eine außerordentliche Sitzung einberufen.
   (We need to call an extraordinary meeting.)

When to Use 'die Sitzung'? 🗣️

'Die Sitzung' is typically used in more formal contexts than a simple *'Besprechung'* (*meeting/discussion*).

• Professional: *Teamsitzung* (team meeting), *Projektsitzung* (project meeting), *Aufsichtsratssitzung* (supervisory board meeting). These often involve planning, reporting, or decision-making.
• Political/Public: *Parlamentssitzung* (parliamentary session), *Ausschusssitzung* (committee meeting), *Gemeinderatssitzung* (municipal council meeting). These are often structured by agendas and minutes.
• Judicial: *Gerichtssitzung* (court session), *Verhandlung* (hearing/trial - often used synonymously).
• Therapeutic/Medical: *Therapiesitzung* (therapy session), *Beratungssitzung* (counseling session).

Difference from similar words:

• Besprechung: Often shorter, less formal, can be more spontaneous than a *Sitzung*. Focus is on exchanging information or discussing a specific point.
• Tagung: More like a larger event, often over several days, with lectures and workshops (conference).
• Konferenz: Similar to *Tagung*, often more international or focused on a specific technical topic.
• Versammlung: More of a larger gathering of members of an organization or group (e.g., *Mitgliederversammlung* - general assembly).

Common phrases are 'eine Sitzung abhalten' (*to hold a meeting*), 'an einer Sitzung teilnehmen' (*to participate in a meeting*), or 'eine Sitzung leiten' (*to chair/lead a meeting*).

How to Remember 'die Sitzung' 🧠

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in '-ung' are feminine (*die*). Think of: *die Rechnung* (the bill), *die Meinung* (the opinion), *die Wohnung* (the apartment)... and also die Sitzung! Remember the '-ung' ending strongly suggests *'die'*. It's a feminine (*-ung*) affair to sit together.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine people needing to sit down together for an important meeting or session. The act of sitting (*sitzen*) leads to the formal gathering, the Sitzung.

Similar and Opposite Terms 🔄

Potential Confusion

Sometimes *'Sitzung'* is confused with *'Session'* (from English), which can be correct in a technical context (e.g., browser session), but in general usage, *'Sitzung'* is the standard German term for a meeting or session.

A Little Joke about Meetings 😄

Warum nehmen Skelette nicht an Sitzungen teil?

Sie haben niemanden (no body), mit dem sie gehen können! Und sie fürchten, dass die Sitzung bis auf die Knochen geht. 😉🦴

Why don't skeletons attend meetings?

They have no body to go with! And they worry the meeting will bore them to the bone. 😉🦴

Thoughts on the Sitzung 📜

Die Uhr tickt laut, der Raum ist voll,
Die nächste Sitzung, ach wie toll.
Man sitzt und redet, stimmt dann ab,
Die Zeit verrinnt, ganz knapp, ganz knapp.
Protokoll wird fein geführt,
Bis jeder müde nach Haus marschiert.
Die Sitzung schließt, das Werk getan?
Bis morgen, gleicher Plan!

(The clock ticks loud, the room is full,
The next meeting, oh how cool.
They sit and talk, then cast a vote,
Time slips away, note by note.
Minutes are kept with careful hand,
Till everyone's tired throughout the land.
The meeting ends, the work complete?
Till tomorrow, same plan neat!)

A Little Riddle 🤔

Ich habe Stühle, doch kein Haus.
Ich habe Redner, doch keinen Applaus (meistens).
Ich habe ein Protokoll, doch kein Gericht.
Ich bringe Menschen zusammen, oft bei schwachem Licht.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Die Sitzung

(I have chairs, but no house.
I have speakers, but no applause (usually).
I have minutes, but no court.
I bring people together, often in dim light.

What am I?)

(Solution: The meeting / Die Sitzung)

Trivia & Word Formation 🧩

Word Formation: The word *'Sitzung'* is a derivation (nominalization) from the verb *'sitzen'* (*to sit*) using the suffix '-ung'. This suffix is frequently used to form feminine nouns from verbs, denoting the process or result of the action.

Compounds: *'Sitzung'* is a common component of compound nouns that specify the type of meeting:

• Vorstandssitzung: Board meeting (*Vorstand* = board)
• Krisensitzung: Crisis meeting (*Krise* = crisis)
• Pflichtsitzung: Mandatory meeting (*Pflicht* = duty, obligation)
• Plenarsitzung: Plenary session (e.g., in parliament, *Plenum* = plenary assembly)