die
Störung
🚦 What exactly does "die Störung" mean?
Die Störung (noun, feminine) describes a state where something deviates from the normal, expected, or desired course. It can refer to various areas:
- Interruption/Disturbance: A deviation from the smooth flow, e.g., in traffic, at an event, or during a broadcast. (Eine technische Störung legte die Produktion lahm. - A technical fault brought production to a standstill.)
- Technical Fault/Malfunction: An error or malfunction in a device, system, or installation. (Die Störung im Netzwerk wurde behoben. - The network fault has been fixed.)
- Medical/Psychological Disorder: A functional disturbance of the body or psyche. (Sie leidet an einer Essstörung. - She suffers from an eating disorder.) ⚠️ In this context, specific terms for illnesses (Erkrankungen) are often used.
- Disturbance of Peace/Order: An annoyance or interruption of quiet or peace. (Bitte vermeiden Sie jede Störung. - Please avoid any disturbance.)
In general, die Störung refers to an unwanted deviation from the normal state.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of "die Störung" in Detail
The word "Störung" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die". It is declined as follows:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Störung | eine Störung |
| Genitive | der Störung | einer Störung |
| Dative | der Störung | einer Störung |
| Accusative | die Störung | eine Störung |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Störungen | - Störungen |
| Genitive | der Störungen | - Störungen |
| Dative | den Störungen | - Störungen |
| Accusative | die Störungen | - Störungen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Wegen einer Störung an der Weiche kommt es zu Verspätungen im Zugverkehr. (Due to a fault with the switch, there are delays in train traffic. - Nominative Singular)
- Die Ursache der Störung konnte noch nicht ermittelt werden. (The cause of the disturbance could not yet be determined. - Genitive Singular)
- Wir arbeiten mit Hochdruck an der Behebung der Störung. (We are working hard to fix the fault. - Dative Singular)
- Der Techniker hat die Störung schnell gefunden. (The technician found the fault quickly. - Accusative Singular)
- Häufige Störungen im Betriebsablauf führten zu Verlusten. (Frequent disruptions in operations led to losses. - Nominative Plural)
💡 Tip: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die).
🗣️ How to Use "die Störung"?
"Die Störung" is a versatile word used in various contexts:
- Technology & IT: Very common for problems with devices, software, networks, or machines (Netzwerkstörung - network fault, Betriebsstörung - operational disruption, technische Störung - technical fault).
- Traffic & Logistics: For interruptions in the flow of transport (Verkehrsstörung - traffic disruption, Störung im Betriebsablauf der Bahn - disruption in train operations).
- Communication: For problems with phone, radio, television (Empfangsstörung - reception problem, Leitungsstörung - line fault).
- Medicine & Psychology: To describe health problems (Schlafstörung - sleep disorder, Angststörung - anxiety disorder, Essstörung - eating disorder, Durchblutungsstörung - circulatory disorder). Context is crucial here, as there are often specific medical terms.
- Everyday Life & Social Contexts: As a general interruption or nuisance (Ruhestörung - disturbance of the peace, Störung des Unterrichts - disruption of the lesson).
Distinction from similar words:
- Fehler (der): Is often more specific and refers to something incorrect (e.g., a calculation error - Rechenfehler), whereas a Störung affects a process or state.
- Problem (das): Is a more general term for a difficulty or an unsolved task. A Störung can cause a Problem.
- Panne (die): Often refers to a sudden technical failure, especially with vehicles (breakdown).
The choice of word depends on the specific context. "Störung" often emphasizes the interruption of a normal state.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Mnemonic for the article (die):
Most German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine. Think of it like an important announcement ('Ankündigung') or a meeting ('Besprechung') - these often cause a disturbance ('die Störung') and are grammatically feminine! So, -ung = die.
Mnemonic for the meaning:
Imagine something **STOR**ming in and disrupti**NG** the peace or the normal function – that’s a **Störung**. It **disturbs** the order.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Störung
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Unterbrechung (die): Interruption (focus on stopping a process).
- Beeinträchtigung (die): Impairment, negative impact.
- Defekt (der): Defect (technical fault in a component).
- Panne (die): Breakdown (sudden technical failure, often vehicles).
- Fehlfunktion (die): Malfunction.
- Ausfall (der): Failure, outage (complete stop of function).
- Unregelmäßigkeit (die): Irregularity.
- Zwischenfall (der): Incident (unexpected, often disruptive event).
Antonyms (opposites):
- Normalbetrieb (der): Normal operation.
- Ordnung (die): Order, proper state.
- Ruhe (die): Quiet, peace, calm.
- Funktion (die): Function, working order.
- Kontinuität (die): Continuity.
⚠️ Be careful: Words like "Problem" (das - the problem) or "Fehler" (der - the error/mistake) are often related but not always direct synonyms and have different articles!
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der IT-Leiter den neuen Azubi: "Haben Sie schon die Netzwerkstörung behoben?"
Azubi: "Ja, Chef! Ich habe einfach das Kabel rausgezogen. Jetzt stört es niemanden mehr."
English: The IT manager asks the new apprentice: "Have you fixed the network fault yet?"
Apprentice: "Yes, boss! I just pulled out the cable. Now it's not disturbing anyone anymore."
📜 Poem about a Störung
German:
Ein Knistern leis', ein Flackern grell,
Die Technik streikt, nicht nur ganz schnell.
Die Störung kam, ganz unverhofft,
Hat Plan und Alltag arg zerrupft.
Im Funkgerät, im Netz, im Sinn,
Nimmt sie der Ordnung den Gewinn.
Man sucht den Fehler, groß und klein,
Wann wird wohl alles wieder sein
Im Takt, im Fluss, ganz ungestört?
Ein Wunsch, der oft nur leis erhört.
English Translation:
A soft crackle, a bright flicker near,
Technology fails, not just quickly, it's clear.
The disturbance arrived, unexpected and vast,
Tore plans and routines up, making nothing last.
In radios, networks, or peace of mind,
It steals the profit order should find.
They search for the error, both large and small,
When will things run smoothly for one and for all,
In rhythm, in flow, completely restored?
A wish that is often but softly adored.
🧩 Little Riddle
German:
Ich komme oft zur falschen Zeit,
Verursach' Ärger, Frust und Leid.
Mal bin ich technisch, mal im Ohr,
Mal steh' ich vor des Zuges Tor.
Ich bring' den Ablauf aus dem Tritt.
Was bin ich wohl? Ein kleiner Tipp:
Die Endung "-ung" macht mich feminin.
English:
I often come at the wrong time,
Causing trouble, frustration, and crime (of annoyance!).
Sometimes I'm technical, sometimes in the ear,
Sometimes I block the train's path, bringing fear.
I disrupt the sequence, knock things off track.
What am I? Here's a little hack:
The ending "-ung" makes me feminine.
Solution: die Störung (the disturbance / fault / disorder)
➕ Other Information about Störung
Word Formation:
The noun "die Störung" is derived from the verb "stören" (to disturb, to bother, to interfere). Adding the suffix "-ung" turns the verb into a noun. This suffix typically forms feminine nouns in German.
- stören (verb): to disturb, bother, interrupt someone/something.
- störend (adjective/present participle): disturbing, annoying (describes the quality of causing a disturbance).
- gestört (adjective/past participle): disturbed, disrupted, faulty (describes the state of having a disturbance, e.g., gestörtes Verhältnis - disturbed relationship, technisch gestört - technically faulty).
Common Compound Words (Komposita):
"Störung" is part of many compound words that specify the type of disturbance:
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Störung?
The German word "Störung" is feminine. The correct article is always die: die Störung. It is used to describe an interruption, a fault, a disorder, or a deviation from the normal state.