die  Stilllegung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtɪlˌleːɡʊŋ/

🏭 What does 'die Stilllegung' mean?

Die Stilllegung (feminine noun) refers to the act of permanently taking a facility, plant, vehicle, or activity out of operation or shutting it down. It often implies a final state of non-operation.

Essentially, it means:

• Decommissioning / Shutdown: Ending the operation of a machine, plant, or system (e.g., ein Kraftwerk - a power plant, eine Fabrik - a factory).
• Discontinuation: Stopping an activity or service (e.g., eine Bahnstrecke - a railway line, ein Ermittlungsverfahren - an investigation).
• Closure: Permanently closing a business or institution.

⚠️ It's usually a formal act, often based on legal or economic reasons.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Corner: Declining 'die Stilllegung'

The word "Stilllegung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Stilllegung des alten Bergwerks wurde beschlossen.
   The decommissioning of the old mine was decided.
2. Nach der Stilllegung der Produktionslinie verloren viele Arbeiter ihren Job.
   After the shutdown of the production line, many workers lost their jobs.
3. Die Kosten für die Stilllegung des Atomkraftwerks sind enorm.
   The costs for the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant are enormous.
4. Die Behörden ordneten die sofortige Stilllegung der illegalen Mülldeponie an.
   The authorities ordered the immediate closure of the illegal landfill.

💡 Using 'die Stilllegung' in Context

"Die Stilllegung" is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in fields like:

• Wirtschaft & Industrie (Economy & Industry): Shutdown of factories, production plants, mines (Fabriken, Produktionsanlagen, Bergwerke).
• Energie (Energy): Decommissioning of power plants (nuclear, coal - Atomkraft, Kohle).
• Verkehr (Transport): Discontinuation of railway lines, airports, vehicle fleets (Bahnstrecken, Flughäfen, Fahrzeugflotten).
• Recht & Verwaltung (Law & Administration): Closing of investigations, shutdown of businesses due to violations (Ermittlungsverfahren, Betriebe).
• Technik (Technology): Decommissioning of machines or IT systems.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Schließung (Closure): Can also refer to smaller shops or temporary closures. "Stilllegung" is often more permanent and relates to larger entities.
• Außerbetriebnahme (Taking out of service / Decommissioning): Very similar, often used synonymously. "Stilllegung" might encompass the entire process including dismantling (Rückbau).
• Einstellung (Cessation / Discontinuation): Often refers to activities or services, not necessarily physical plants.

The term often carries a negative connotation, as it can be associated with job losses, the end of an era, or high costs.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Stilllegung'

Article Mnemonic: Remember that almost all German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (feminin), like die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment). So, it's die Stilllegung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of something becoming still (still means quiet, motionless) and then being laid down (from legen - to lay, to put). So, Still + legung = laid to rest, put out of action permanently.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Misleading Words:

• Die Stillegung: (Misspelling) Doesn't exist. Note the double 'l' in Stilllegung!
• Die Ruhelegung: Means putting someone into retirement (Pensionierung).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum wurde die alte Kaffeemaschine stillgelegt?
Sie hatte zu viele Filterblasen!

Why was the old coffee machine decommissioned?
It had too many filter bubbles! (Pun: Filterblase also means 'filter bubble' in the social media sense)

📜 Poem about Stilllegung

Die Räder stehen, der Motor schweigt,
ein Schild verkündet, was die Zeit nun zeigt.
Die Stilllegung, ein Wort so schwer,
bringt Ruhe, doch oft auch Kummer her.
Wo Lärm einst war, herrscht Stille nun,
die Produktion muss für immer ruh'n.

The wheels stand still, the engine's quiet now,
A sign proclaims what time does now allow.
Die Stilllegung, a word so grave,
Brings calm, but often sorrow wave on wave.
Where noise once reigned, now silence deep,
Production must forever sleep.

❓ Riddle

Ich beende den Betrieb, mach' Lichter aus,
bin das Ende vom Lied, der Schlussapplaus.
Für Fabrik, Kraftwerk oder Bahn,
bin ich der finale Plan.

Was bin ich? → Die Stilllegung

I end the operation, turn out the lights,
I'm the end of the song, the final rites.
For factory, power plant, or train,
I am the ultimate plan.

What am I?
→ Decommissioning / Shutdown (Die Stilllegung)

⚙️ Word Composition and Trivia

Wortzusammensetzung (Word Composition):

The word "Stilllegung" is composed of:

• still: Adjective meaning quiet, still, silent.
• Legen: Verb meaning to lay, to put, to place.
• -ung: Suffix used to form nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result.

So, literally: The process of laying something to rest / making something quiet.

Trivia:

Stilllegungen, especially of large industrial plants or power stations, are often complex and lengthy processes requiring extensive planning, approval procedures, and dismantling measures (Planungen, Genehmigungsverfahren, Rückbaumaßnahmen). They are frequently the subject of public and political debate (e.g., nuclear phase-out - Atomausstieg, coal phase-out - Kohleausstieg).