die  Telekommunikation

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˌteːləkɔmuniˈkaːt͡si̯oːn/

📡 What does "die Telekommunikation" mean?

Die Telekommunikation (feminine noun) refers to the technical process of exchanging information over a distance. This includes various technologies and services like telephony (Festnetz und Mobilfunk - landline and mobile), radio (Rundfunk), television (Fernsehen), the internet, and data transmission (Datenübertragung).

Essentially, it's about sending and receiving messages, sounds, or images using electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals. It's an umbrella term for all techniques of remote transmission.

🚨 Because the word ends in -ion, like many such words in German, it is feminine: die Telekommunikation.

🧐 Grammar: The Case of Telekommunikation

The word "Telekommunikation" is a feminine noun. The article is die. It is mostly used in the singular, as it often describes a concept. The plural "die Telekommunikationen" is rarer and tends to refer to specific systems or technologies.

Declension (Beugung)

Here is the declension in the singular:

Note: The plural (Nominative: die Telekommunikationen) is formed analogously to other feminine nouns ending in -ion, but is uncommon in general usage.

Example Sentences 💬

1. Die Telekommunikation hat die Welt vernetzt.
   (Telecommunication has connected the world.)
2. Wir investieren stark in die moderne Telekommunikation.
   (We are investing heavily in modern telecommunication.)
3. Dank der Telekommunikation können wir weltweit kommunizieren.
   (Thanks to telecommunication, we can communicate worldwide.)
4. Die Gesetze zur Telekommunikation sind komplex.
   (The laws regarding telecommunication are complex.)

🌐 How to use "Telekommunikation"?

"Telekommunikation" is a rather formal or technical term. You'll often find it in contexts such as:

• Technology & IT: Discussions about networks, infrastructure, standards (e.g., 5G).
• Business: Companies in the telecommunications sector (e.g., Deutsche Telekom), market analyses.
• Politics & Law: Legislation (e.g., Telekommunikationsgesetz - Telecommunications Act), regulation.
• Everyday life (less common): Sometimes used as an umbrella term for phone, internet, etc., but more specific words are often preferred (e.g., "Ich habe Probleme mit meiner Internetverbindung" - I have problems with my internet connection, rather than "...mit meiner Telekommunikation").

It often forms part of compound nouns (Komposita), such as:

• Telekommunikationsanbieter (telecommunications provider)
• Telekommunikationsnetz (telecommunications network)
• Telekommunikationsgesetz (Telecommunications Act)
• Telekommunikationsinfrastruktur (telecommunications infrastructure)

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Many German nouns ending in -ion are feminine. Think of: die Kommunikation, die Nation, die Station... and therefore also die Telekommunikation. It practically wears its feminine marker!

Remembering the Meaning: Break down the word: Tele- (like telephone, telescope) means "far" or "distant". Kommunikation you know – communication. So: Telekommunikation = communication over a distance. Easy!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Telefonie: (Telephony) - Only one part of telecommunication.
• Internet: Also a part or medium of telecommunication.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat das Smartphone beim Therapeuten angerufen?
(Why did the smartphone call the therapist?)

Es hatte zu viele Empfangsprobleme und Kommunikationsschwierigkeiten! 📱
(It had too many reception problems and communication difficulties!)

📜 Poem about Telecommunication

Von fern zu fern, durch Draht und Funk,
(From far to far, through wire and radio wave,) Ein Wort, ein Bild, ein leiser Trunk
(A word, an image, a quiet sip) Von Information, schnell und klar,
(Of information, fast and clear,) Die Telekommunikation ist wunderbar.
(Telecommunication is wonderful.)

Sie überbrückt, was uns sonst trennt,
(It bridges what otherwise separates us,) Ein Netz, das Kontinente kennt.
(A network that knows continents.) Ob Anruf, Mail, ob Stream, ob Chat,
(Whether call, mail, stream, or chat,) Sie macht die weite Welt adrett.
(It makes the wide world neat/connected.)

❓ Riddle

Ich trage Stimmen, Daten, Bilder weit,
(I carry voices, data, images far,) Verbinde Menschen, jederzeit.
(Connect people, anytime.) Ich nutze Kabel, Funk und Licht,
(I use cable, radio waves, and light,) Doch sprechen selbst kann ich nicht.
(But I cannot speak myself.) Mal bin ich Netz, mal bin ich Dienst,
(Sometimes I'm a network, sometimes a service,) Ohne mich wärst du oft allein, bedienst
(Without me you'd often be alone, you use) Du dich doch meiner Tag für Tag.
(Me day after day.) Was bin ich, sag?
(What am I, say?)

Solution: Die Telekommunikation (Telecommunication)

🧩 Word Building Blocks & Trivia

Word Composition:

The word "Telekommunikation" is a compound noun:

• Tele-: A prefix from Greek (τῆλε - tēle), meaning "far" or "distant".
• Kommunikation: From the Latin "communicatio", meaning "imparting", "conversation".

Historical Note: The term was coined to summarize the development of technologies like telegraphy and telephony, which enabled communication over long distances, in contrast to direct oral or written communication (letters).