die  Telefonleitung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈteːlɛfoːnˌlaɪ̯tʊŋ/

💡 What exactly is a Telefonleitung?

The German noun Telefonleitung is feminine, so its article is die. It refers to the physical connection or transmission path used for telephone calls or data transmission using telephone technology. Usually, this is a cable (often copper or fiber optic) that connects buildings to the telephone network.

There's only one article, die, for Telefonleitung because it's a compound noun where the last part, 'Leitung' (line, conduit), is feminine (die Leitung).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar Spotlight: Die Telefonleitung

The noun Telefonleitung is feminine. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Der Techniker repariert die beschädigte Telefonleitung. (The technician is repairing the damaged telephone line.)
2. Früher lief das Internet hauptsächlich über Telefonleitungen (DSL). (In the past, the internet primarily ran over telephone lines (DSL).)
3. Wegen des Sturms sind viele Telefonleitungen unterbrochen worden. (Many telephone lines were interrupted due to the storm.)
4. Über diese Telefonleitung können wir leider keine gute Verbindung herstellen. (Unfortunately, we cannot establish a good connection via this telephone line.)

🗣️ How is Telefonleitung used?

The term Telefonleitung is mostly used literally for the physical cable connection that enables telephony or data transmission (like DSL internet).

• Technical Context: In discussions about telecommunications infrastructure, reporting faults, or installing connections. Example: "Die neue Glasfaserleitung ersetzt die alte Kupfer-Telefonleitung." (The new fiber optic cable replaces the old copper telephone line.)
• Everyday Language: When talking about the phone connection or internet problems. Example: "Ich glaube, mit unserer Telefonleitung stimmt etwas nicht." (I think something is wrong with our telephone line.)
• Figurative (rare): Occasionally, it might metaphorically represent a communication link, but this is less common. Example: "Zwischen den beiden herrschte eine direkte Telefonleitung." (Meaning: they understood each other instantly or communicated directly).

Compared to 'Telefonanschluss' (telephone connection point), 'Telefonleitung' refers more specifically to the cable itself.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

How to remember the article and meaning?

Article Mnemonic: The word ends in '-ung' (Leitung). Many German nouns ending in '-ung' are feminine (die). Think: The 'Leitung' (line/conduction) is feminine, so it's die Telefonleitung. Like die Rechnung (bill), die Wohnung (apartment).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you lead (leiten) a telephone conversation through a long line – that line is the Telefonleitung.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse 'Telefonleitung' with 'Telefonzelle' (phone booth) or 'Telefonbuch' (phone book).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat die Telefonleitung schlechte Laune?
Weil sie immer unter Spannung steht! 😄

(Why is the telephone line in a bad mood? Because it's always under tension! – 'unter Spannung stehen' means both 'to be under electrical tension' and 'to be tense/stressed'.)

📜 A Little Poem

Durch Wände, unter der Erd', geschwind,
läuft stumm die Leitung, wie der Wind.
Sie bringt die Stimmen, fern und nah,
die Telefonleitung, sie ist da.
Mal Kupfer alt, mal Glas ganz neu,
hält sie der Kommunikation die Treu'.

(Through walls, under the earth, swift and keen,
The silent line runs, like the wind unseen.
It brings the voices, far and near,
The telephone line, it is here.
Sometimes old copper, sometimes glass so new,
It keeps communication faithful and true.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich trage Stimmen, doch hab keinen Mund.
Ich verbinde Menschen, Stund' um Stund'.
Mal lieg ich unter, mal häng ich über dir,
Ohne mich wär's still, das sag ich dir.

Was bin ich?

(I carry voices, but have no mouth.
I connect people, hour by hour.
Sometimes I lie below, sometimes hang above you,
Without me it would be quiet, I tell you.

What am I?)
(Answer: Die Telefonleitung / The telephone line)

🌐 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word 'Telefonleitung' is a compound noun, composed of:

• Telefon: Derived from Greek 'tele' (far) and 'phone' (voice, sound).
• Leitung: Derived from the verb 'leiten' (to lead, guide, conduct), refers to a path or device for conducting something (here: signals) from one place to another.

Historical Context:

Telefonleitungen were originally almost exclusively copper cables (often called 'Kupferdoppelader' - copper twisted pair). Today, fiber optic cables are increasingly used for faster data transmission, but traditional copper lines are still in use in many places, especially for DSL internet.