die  Verallgemeinerung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯alɡəˈmaɪnɐʊŋ/

🔎 What does 'die Verallgemeinerung' mean?

Die Verallgemeinerung (the generalization) refers to the process or the result of drawing a general rule, principle, or conclusion about a larger group based on individual cases or specific observations. It's deriving a general statement from specific instances.

In everyday life and discussions, a Verallgemeinerung can be useful for simplifying complex issues. But be careful ⚠️: Exaggerated or invalid generalizations (also called Übergeneralisierung or Pauschalisierung) can lead to prejudice, stereotypes, and logical fallacies. This is often referred to as a voreilige Verallgemeinerung (hasty generalization).

• Example of a permissible generalization: After observing many swans, all of which are white, one might (tentatively) generalize: "Alle Schwäne sind weiß." ("All swans are white." - Although black swans exist, this illustrates the principle).
• Example of an impermissible generalization: "Ich wurde einmal von einem kleinen Hund gebissen, also sind alle kleinen Hunde aggressiv." ("I was once bitten by a small dog, therefore all small dogs are aggressive.") 🚨

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar Deep Dive: Declining 'die Verallgemeinerung'

The word "Verallgemeinerung" is a feminine noun. The article is therefore die. It is declined like most feminine nouns ending in "-ung".

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Verallgemeinerung von Einzelfällen kann irreführend sein.
   (The generalization from individual cases can be misleading.)
2. Man sollte sich vor voreiligen Verallgemeinerungen hüten.
   (One should beware of hasty generalizations.)
3. In seiner Argumentation stützte er sich auf eine unzulässige Verallgemeinerung.
   (In his argumentation, he relied on an invalid generalization.)
4. Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten erfordert oft Abstraktion und Verallgemeinerung, aber auf Basis solider Daten.
   (Scientific work often requires abstraction and generalization, but based on solid data.)

💡 How to Use 'Verallgemeinerung'

The term die Verallgemeinerung is used in various contexts:

• In everyday life: Often with a negative connotation, to criticize sweeping statements or stereotypes ("Das ist doch eine unzulässige Verallgemeinerung!" - "That's an inadmissible generalization!").
• In logic & philosophy: As an important process of inductive reasoning (from the specific to the general), but also as a source of fallacies.
• In science: As a necessary step to derive generally applicable theories or laws from experiments or observations. Methodological rigor is crucial here.
• In psychology: In the context of learning processes (stimulus generalization) or cognitive biases.

Distinctions:

• Pauschalisierung: Very similar, often used synonymously, tends to be even more negative and undifferentiated than Verallgemeinerung.
• Generalisierung: Often synonymous, sometimes slightly more neutral or scientific than Verallgemeinerung.
• Abstraktion (abstraction): Refers more to omitting details to form a general concept, which can be a prerequisite for generalization.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'die': Remember the rule: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution), die Wohnung (apartment)... and die Verallgemeinerung! The '-ung' ending signifies a feminine noun.

For the meaning: Break down the word: "Ver-allgemein-er-ung". 'Allgemein' means general. 'Ver-' often indicates a process of making something that way. The '-ung' suffix turns the verb 'verallgemeinern' (to generalize) into a noun representing the process or result. So, it's the process (-ung) of making (Ver-) something general (allgemein). -> Verallgemeinerung (generalization).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but potentially misleading words:

• Veröffentlichung: (Publication) Has nothing to do with generality, but with publishing.
• Verständigung: (Understanding, agreement) Refers to communication and reaching an agreement.

😄 A Little Joke

DE: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist die gefährlichste Art der Verallgemeinerung?" Antwortet Fritzchen: "Zu sagen: 'Alle Lehrer sind fair'!" 😉

EN: The teacher asks: "What is the most dangerous type of generalization?" Little Fritz answers: "Saying: 'All teachers are fair'!" 😉

✍️ Poem about Generalization

DE:
Ein Fall, der scheint so klar und rein,
wird schnell für alle gültig sein.
Man nimmt das Einzelne geschwind,
vergisst, wie viele anders sind.
Die Verallgemeinerung, leicht gesagt,
hat oft schon Denken fehlgejagt.
Drum schau genau, differenzier',
sonst urteilst du zu rasch, glaub mir!

EN:
A case that seems so clear and pure,
Quickly becomes valid for all, for sure.
One takes the specific in swift pace,
Forgetting how others differ in place.
The generalization, easily said,
Has often led thinking astray instead.
So look closely, differentiate well,
Or you'll judge too quickly, believe the tale!

🤔 Time for a Riddle

DE:
Ich mache aus Wenigem viel,
aus Einem ein allgemeines Ziel.
Manchmal nützlich, oft fatal,
treff' ich nicht immer die richtige Wahl.
Ich ende auf "-ung" und bin feminin,
in Diskussionen oft mittendrin.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Verallgemeinerung

EN:
I make much out of little,
Turn one into a general principle.
Sometimes useful, often fatal,
I don't always make the right appraisal.
I end in "-ung" and am feminine, you see,
Often found in discussions, that's me.

What am I?

Solution: die Verallgemeinerung (the generalization)

🧩 Word Building & More

Word Composition:

The word "Verallgemeinerung" is composed of several parts:

• ver-: A prefix often indicating a process or change (making something).
• allgemein: The adjective meaning "general", "applying to all".
• -er: An ending that helps form the verb "verallgemeinern" (to generalize), derived from 'allgemein'.
• -ung: A suffix that turns the verb "verallgemeinern" into a noun, denoting a process or result. It also makes the noun feminine.

So, you can see: die Verallgemeinerung is the process (-ung) of making (ver-) something general (allgemein + -er).

Trivia:

The logical fallacy of voreilige Verallgemeinerung (hasty generalization) is one of the most well-known informal fallacies and plays a significant role in argumentation theory.