die  Verkündung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈkʏndʊŋ/

📣 What exactly is a "Verkündung"?

Die Verkündung (noun, feminine) refers to the official act of making something publicly known. It usually concerns important information such as laws (Gesetze), verdicts (Urteile), resolutions (Beschlüsse), or significant news (Nachrichten). The term often has a formal or ceremonial character.

Imagine a king stepping onto the balcony to tell his people about a new rule – that's a classic Verkündung.

• Official announcement/proclamation: e.g., the Verkündung of a law in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt).
• Ceremonial act: e.g., the Verkündung of an important decision or piece of news.
• Religious context: e.g., the Verkündung des Evangeliums (proclamation of the Gospel).

The word is derived from the verb verkünden (to announce, to proclaim).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Verkündung"

The word "Verkündung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

Examples for clarity

1. Die Verkündung des neuen Gesetzes erfolgte gestern. (The announcement of the new law took place yesterday.)
2. Wir warteten gespannt auf die Verkündung der Prüfungsergebnisse. (We waited anxiously for the announcement of the exam results.)
3. Nach langer Beratung kam es zur Verkündung des Urteils. (After long deliberation, the verdict was announced.)
4. Die offiziellen Verkündungen der Regierung sind online verfügbar. (The official announcements of the government are available online.)

🗣️ How to use "Verkündung"?

"Verkündung" is mainly used in formal and official contexts. You often find it in:

• Legal texts and official notices (amtliche Mitteilungen)
• Court proceedings (Urteilsverkündung - pronouncement of judgment)
• Official news and statements (Verlautbarungen)
• Religious contexts (Verkündung of a message)

In everyday life, you would typically use words like Ankündigung (announcement) or Bekanntgabe (disclosure, announcement) for less formal matters (e.g., announcing a party - die Ankündigung einer Party).

Difference from similar words:

• Ankündigung: More general, often less formal (e.g., Ankündigung of an event).
• Bekanntmachung: More like a public notice, often written (e.g., a Bekanntmachung on a notice board).
• Proklamation: Very solemn, often by heads of state (e.g., the Proklamation of a republic).
• Verlautbarung: An official statement or communication from an organization or authority.

⚠️ Avoid using "Verkündung" for everyday announcements; it can sound overly dramatic or inappropriate.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Verkündung"

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ung" are like a heavy load (eine Ladung) – too heavy for 'der' (masculine) or 'das' (neuter), so die (feminine) takes it! Therefore, it's die Verkündung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of "Kunde" (news, information). A Ver-künd-ung brings important Kunde (news) to the public. Picture a herald loudly proclaiming (verkünden) a message.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Watch out! Potential for confusion!

Verkündung vs. Kündigung: Although the words sound similar, they have completely different meanings! A Kündigung is a notice of termination (e.g., for a job or lease), while a Verkündung is an announcement or proclamation.

😂 A little joke

Warum hat der König die Steuererhöhung nur geflüstert?

Damit es keine laute Verkündung gibt! 😉

(Why did the king only whisper the tax increase? So it wouldn't be a loud proclamation/announcement!)

📜 Poem about Verkündung

Ein Richter spricht, ein König winkt,
ein Bote eilt, die Nachricht bringt.
Was still beschlossen, streng bedacht,
wird nun der Welt zur Kenntnis bracht.

Ob Freud', ob Leid, ob Recht, ob Pflicht,
die Verkündung scheut das Licht nicht.
Ein Wort, das hallt durch Raum und Zeit,
macht Schluss mit der Verborgenheit.

(A judge speaks, a king waves,
a messenger hurries, brings the news.
What was quietly decided, strictly considered,
is now brought to the world's attention.

Be it joy, be it sorrow, be it right, be it duty,
the proclamation does not shun the light.
A word that echoes through space and time,
puts an end to concealment.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich trete oft nach langer Stille auf,
beende Warten, nehme meinen Lauf.
Gesetz, Urteil oder frohe Mär,
ich trage es hinaus, mal leicht, mal schwer.
Manchmal feierlich mit Pomp und Klang,
manchmal nüchtern, kurz und lang.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Die Verkündung

(I often appear after long silence,
end waiting, take my course.
Law, verdict, or happy tidings,
I carry it out, sometimes lightly, sometimes heavily.
Sometimes solemnly with pomp and sound,
sometimes soberly, short and long.

What am I?)

(Solution: Die Verkündung / The proclamation/announcement)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Verkündung" is a noun derived from the verb "verkünden" (to announce, proclaim). It consists of:

• Prefix "ver-": Can have various meanings, here often indicating a reinforcing or goal-oriented action.
• Stem "künd": Related to "Kunde" (news, knowledge, information).
• Suffix "-ung": Forms nouns from verbs, often denoting the process or result of the action. These nouns are typically feminine.

Historical Context:

Verkündungen (proclamations/announcements) played a central role in history long before mass media existed. Decrees from rulers, new laws, or important events were often announced by heralds or town criers in public squares.