die  Trocknung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtʁɔknʊŋ/

💧➡️☀️ What does 'die Trocknung' mean?

Die Trocknung refers to the process or the result of removing moisture (usually water) from a material, an object, or an environment. It is the noun derived from the verb trocknen (to dry).

Essentially, it's about making something trocken (dry). This can happen naturally (e.g., through sun and wind) or via technical processes (e.g., using a hairdryer, a dryer, or in industrial plants).

There is only one article: die Trocknung. The word is always feminine.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of 'die Trocknung' in Detail

The noun 'die Trocknung' is feminine (Femininum). German nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine.

Declension:

Plural: The plural form 'die Trocknungen' is rather rare and typically used when referring to multiple specific, distinct drying processes (e.g., in scientific or technical contexts).

Example Sentences:

1. Die Trocknung der Wäsche dauert heute länger. (The drying of the laundry is taking longer today.)
2. Nach dem Wasserschaden ist eine professionelle Trocknung der Wände notwendig. (After the water damage, a professional drying of the walls is necessary.)
3. Die Trocknung von Obst ist eine Methode zur Konservierung. (The drying of fruit is a method of preservation.)
4. Der Bericht beschreibt verschiedene Trocknungen des Materials unter Laborbedingungen. (The report describes various dryings of the material under laboratory conditions.)

🧺 When and How to Use 'Trocknung'

'Die Trocknung' is used in various contexts:

• Household: Drying laundry, dishes, or hair. (e.g., Wäschetrocknung - laundry drying, Haartrocknung - hair drying)
• Food: Preserving food by removing water. (e.g., Trocknung von Kräutern - drying of herbs, Gefriertrocknung - freeze-drying)
• Construction: Drying parts of buildings after water damage or during construction. (e.g., Bautrocknung - construction drying, Wandtrocknung - wall drying)
• Industry & Technology: Processes for drying materials, paints, chemicals, etc. (e.g., industrielle Trocknung - industrial drying, Holztrocknung - wood drying)
• Agriculture: Drying harvested crops like grain or hay. (e.g., Heutrocknung - hay drying)

It describes both the process and sometimes the result (though less commonly). It's a more technical or formal term than simply 'making dry'.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Trocknung'

For the article 'die': Words ending in -ung in German are like an invitation ('Einladung') to femininity – they are almost always die! Think of: die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope)... and thus die Trocknung.

For the meaning: Imagine the sun ('die Sonne' - feminine) making everything trocken (dry) – she is responsible for 'die Trocknung' (the drying).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse with trocken (adjective - dry) or trocknen (verb - to dry).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat der Föhn schlechte Laune?
Weil er ständig die Haare zur Trocknung zwingen muss und sie ihm trotzdem immer wieder nass werden!

English: Why is the hairdryer in a bad mood?
Because it constantly has to force the hair into drying, and yet it always gets wet again!

📜 Poem about Drying

German:
Die Wäsche hängt, der Wind weht sacht,
hat übers Nass die Macht.
Die Sonne scheint mit hellem Strahl,
beendet bald die Wasserqual.
Die Feuchte flieht, die Faser lacht,
die Trocknung ist vollbracht.

English Translation:
The laundry hangs, the wind blows gently,
Holding power over the wetness.
The sun shines with a bright ray,
Soon ending the water's torment.
The moisture flees, the fiber laughs,
The drying is accomplished.

❓ Fun Riddle

German:
Ich nehme das Wasser, doch bin kein Schwamm.
Ich mach' Dinge hart, doch bin kein Damm.
Ob Wäsche, Wand oder Aprikose,
ich entziehe die letzte nasse Pose.

Was bin ich?

English:
I take the water, but I'm not a sponge.
I make things hard, but I'm not a dam.
Whether laundry, wall, or apricot,
I remove the last wet pose.

What am I?Solution: die Trocknung (the drying)

🧩 Further Info

Word Formation:

The word 'Trocknung' is a noun derived from the verb trocknen (to dry). This is done by adding the suffix -ung. This process is very common in German for forming feminine nouns from verbs (e.g., warnen -> die Warnung (warning), hoffen -> die Hoffnung (hope)).

Compound Words (Komposita):

'Trocknung' is often part of compound words that specify the process:

• Haartrocknung (hair drying)
• Gefriertrocknung (freeze-drying)
• Bautrocknung (construction drying)
• Sprühtrocknung (spray drying - industrial process)
• Wäschetrocknung (laundry drying)