die
Umfrage
🧐 What exactly is an 'Umfrage'?
The word die Umfrage (feminine noun) refers to a systematic questioning of a specific group of people on a topic to gather opinions, attitudes, or data. It's essentially 'asking around' to obtain information.
Typical examples include:
- Meinungsumfragen (opinion polls, e.g., before elections)
- Marktforschungsumfragen (market research surveys, e.g., on product preferences)
- Wissenschaftliche Umfragen (scientific surveys, e.g., for studies)
There is only one article, die, for Umfrage, so it's grammatically straightforward. No article confusion here! 👍
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📝 Grammar in Detail: Die Umfrage
Die Umfrage is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Umfrage |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Umfrage |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Umfrage |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Umfrage |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Umfragen |
| Genitive | der | Umfragen |
| Dative | den | Umfragen |
| Accusative | die | Umfragen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die Ergebnisse der Umfrage waren überraschend.
(The results of the survey were surprising.) - Wir nehmen an einer Umfrage zur Kundenzufriedenheit teil.
(We are participating in a survey on customer satisfaction.) - Das Institut führt regelmäßig politische Umfragen durch.
(The institute regularly conducts political polls.) - Bei vielen Umfragen kann man online mitmachen.
(One can participate online in many surveys.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Umfrage'?
The word Umfrage is used when talking about the targeted collection of information from a group. The context is often:
- Market Research (Marktforschung): Companies use surveys (Umfragen) to understand customer desires. (Example: Eine Umfrage ergab, dass Kunden sich längere Öffnungszeiten wünschen. - A survey showed that customers want longer opening hours.)
- Opinion Research (Meinungsforschung): Institutes measure public opinion on political or social issues. (Example: Die letzte Umfrage zeigt einen Trendwechsel. - The latest poll shows a change in trend.)
- Science (Wissenschaft): Researchers collect data for studies through surveys (Umfragen). (Example: Für die Studie wurde eine großangelegte Umfrage durchgeführt. - A large-scale survey was conducted for the study.)
- Everyday Life (Alltag): Sometimes used informally for a small poll among friends or colleagues. (Example: Machen wir eine kurze Umfrage, wer Pizza bestellen möchte? - Let's do a quick poll on who wants to order pizza?)
Difference from 'Befragung': While Umfrage often implies broader, sometimes anonymous data collection, Befragung can be more specific, like questioning a witness (Zeugenbefragung) or an interview.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Umfrage'
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- die Befragung: (Questioning, survey) Often interchangeable, sometimes more specific (e.g., interview).
- die Erhebung: (Survey, collection of data) Emphasizes systematic data collection, often statistical.
- die Untersuchung: (Investigation, study) Broader term, can include a survey.
- die Meinungsforschung: (Opinion polling) Specifically refers to public opinion.
- der Poll: (Poll - Anglicism) Often used for short, quick opinion polls.
Antonyms (Opposites)
- die Einzelaussage / die Einzelmeinung: (Individual statement / individual opinion) Focus on one person instead of a group.
- die Behauptung / die Feststellung: (Assertion / statement) Presents something as fact rather than gathering opinions.
- die Ignoranz / das Nichtwissen: (Ignorance / lack of knowledge) The opposite of gathering information.
⚠️ Similar but Different Words
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Statistiker Angst vor Umfragen im Wald?
Weil dort zu viele unberechenbare Variablen lauern! 🌳📊
(Why was the statistician afraid of surveys in the forest?
Because too many unpredictable variables lurk there!)
📜 Poem about Surveys
Man will was wissen, klar und rein,
fragt viele Leute, groß und klein.
Mit Zettel, Klick oder per Telefon,
die Umfrage bringt den Informationston.
Was denken sie? Was wünschen sie?
Am Ende weiß man mehr, juche!
(One wants to know things, clear and pure,
asks many people, big and small for sure.
With paper, click, or by telephone,
the survey brings the information tone.
What do they think? What do they wish?
In the end, one knows more, oh bliss!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich stelle viele Fragen,
doch selbst kann ich nichts sagen.
Ich sammle Meinungen im Land,
wer bin ich, schnell zur Hand?
(I ask many questions,
but cannot say anything myself.
I gather opinions in the land,
who am I, quick at hand?)
Solution: die Umfrage (the survey/poll)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung): The word "Umfrage" is composed of:
- um-: Prefix suggesting movement 'around' or a comprehensive action.
- Frage: The base word, meaning 'question'.
So, an Umfrage literally means 'asking around' or a comprehensive questioning.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Umfrage?
The German word "Umfrage" (survey, poll) is always feminine. The correct article is die Umfrage. Remember: die Frage (the question) -> die Umfrage.