die
Verabschiedung
👋 What does 'die Verabschiedung' mean?
The noun die Verabschiedung (feminine) has several meanings:
- Farewell / Saying Goodbye: The act of ending an encounter or relationship, often with a gesture or words of parting. It can refer to a person leaving (e.g., retiring) or the act of parting after a meeting. Example: a farewell party.
- Adoption / Passing (of a law/resolution): In a political or legal context, it refers to the process or act of adopting or enacting a law, budget, or resolution by a committee or parliament. Example: the adoption of the new bill.
⚠️ Pay attention: The context is crucial to understand the correct meaning.
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 Spotlight: Die Verabschiedung
Die Verabschiedung is a feminine noun. Like most German nouns ending in -ung, it is feminine and takes the article 'die'.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verabschiedung |
| Genitive | der | Verabschiedung |
| Dative | der | Verabschiedung |
| Accusative | die | Verabschiedung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verabschiedungen |
| Genitive | der | Verabschiedungen |
| Dative | den | Verabschiedungen |
| Accusative | die | Verabschiedungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Verabschiedung am Bahnhof war sehr emotional. (The farewell at the train station was very emotional.)
- Nach langer Debatte erfolgte die Verabschiedung des neuen Gesetzes. (After a long debate, the adoption of the new law took place.)
- Die Verabschiedung des langjährigen Mitarbeiters fand im großen Saal statt. (The farewell ceremony for the long-serving employee took place in the large hall.)
💡 Everyday Usage
The use of die Verabschiedung strongly depends on the context:
- Personal Farewell: Often used for longer separations or more formal occasions. ('Die herzliche Verabschiedung tat gut.' - The warm farewell felt good.) In everyday life, people are more likely to say 'Tschüss' (Bye) or 'Auf Wiedersehen' (Goodbye).
- Professional Context: Common for retirement or when someone leaves a company ('die Verabschiedung in den Ruhestand' - the retirement farewell).
- Political/Legal Context: Standard term for the formal act of legislation or passing resolutions ('die Verabschiedung des Haushaltsplans' - the adoption of the budget plan).
Comparison: 'Der Abschied' is often more personal and less formal than 'die Verabschiedung'. 'Die Annahme' (acceptance) or 'Die Billigung' (approval) can be synonyms in the legal context, but 'die Verabschiedung' emphasizes the formal act by the deciding body.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Remembering the Article: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German. Think: The ending -ung signals a feminine thing -> die Verabschiedung.
Remembering the Meanings: Picture yourself saying goodbye (Abschied) to someone, perhaps giving them a parting gift (Abschiedsgeschenk). Then, imagine politicians sending off a law, giving it their 'blessing' or 'farewell' into the world – they verabschieden the law (adoption/passing). The core 'Abschied' (farewell/separation) hints at ending something (a meeting, a career, a debate before passing a law).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- (Farewell): der Abschied, das Lebewohl, das Adieu
- (Dismissal/Retirement): die Entlassung, die Pensionierung
- (Law/Resolution): die Annahme (acceptance), die Billigung (approval), das Inkraftsetzen (enactment)
Antonyms
- (Farewell): die Begrüßung (greeting), der Empfang (reception), das Willkommen (welcome)
- (Dismissal/Retirement): die Einstellung (hiring), der Arbeitsbeginn (start of work)
- (Law/Resolution): die Ablehnung (rejection), die Zurückweisung (dismissal), das Veto
Similar Words:
- Der Abschied: Similar, but often more personal and less formal.
- Die Verabredung: Sounds similar but means 'appointment' or 'date'. Don't confuse them! 🚨
😂 A Little Joke
German: Warum hat das Gesetz bei seiner Verabschiedung geweint?
Weil es wusste, dass es bald viele Paragrafen-Eltern haben würde!
English: Why did the law cry when it was passed (bei seiner Verabschiedung)?
Because it knew it would soon have many paragraph-parents (Paragrafen-Eltern)! (A pun on 'Paragrafen' - paragraphs/sections of law, and 'Eltern' - parents)
📜 A Short Poem about Verabschiedung
German:
Die Hand zum Gruß, ein letztes Wort,
Die Verabschiedung trägt uns fort.
Ob Mensch, ob Plan, ob altes Jahr,
Ein Ende ist ein Anfang, wunderbar.
Im Parlament, nach langer Stund',
Macht die Verabschiedung die Runde.
Ein neues Gesetz, nun ist es klar,
Beschlossen von der ganzen Schar.
English Translation:
A hand raised high, a final word,
The farewell carries us onward.
Be it person, plan, or the old year's chart,
An end is a wonderful new start.
In parliament, after hours profound,
The adoption makes its final round.
A new law now, the matter's clear,
Decided by all gathered here.
🧩 Riddle Time
German:
Ich kann Tränen bringen oder Freude machen,
Beende ein Treffen oder lasse Gesetze erwachen.
Im Bundestag bin ich ein wichtiger Akt,
Am Bahnsteig ein emotionaler Pakt.
Was bin ich?
English:
I can bring tears or make you glad,
End a meeting or make laws be had.
In parliament, I'm an important deed,
At the platform, an emotional creed.
What am I?
(Solution: die Verabschiedung)
🌐 More Tidbits
Word Composition:
The word Verabschiedung is a nominalization (Substantivierung) of the verb verabschieden (to say goodbye, to pass/adopt). This verb itself comes from 'Abschied' (farewell, departure), intensified by the prefix 'ver-'. The suffix '-ung' turns it into a noun describing the process or result of the action.
Interestingly, 'sich verabschieden' can also mean to abandon an idea or plan: 'Von diesem Plan müssen wir uns wohl verabschieden.' (We probably have to say goodbye to/abandon this plan.)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verabschiedung?
The noun Verabschiedung is always feminine. The correct article is die Verabschiedung. It refers to both the act of saying farewell to people and the adoption or passing of laws or resolutions.
