die  Vermehrung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈmɛːʁʊŋ/

🌱 What does 'die Vermehrung' mean?

The word die Vermehrung generally describes a process of increasing or growing in quantity or number. It mainly has two core meanings:

• Biological: The reproduction or propagation of living beings (*Menschen, Tiere, Pflanzen, Mikroorganismen* - humans, animals, plants, microorganisms). Synonyms in this context include *Reproduktion* or *Fortpflanzung*.
• General/Economic: The increase or growth of something, e.g., the *Vermehrung* of capital (*Kapital*), knowledge (*Wissen*), or even problems (*Probleme*).

As a noun ending in -ung, it is feminine and takes the article die.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar Insights: Declining 'die Vermehrung'

Die Vermehrung is a feminine noun. The ending -ung typically signals this. It is mostly used in the singular, but can appear in the plural (*die Vermehrungen*) when referring to different types or instances of increase or reproduction.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Usage Examples

1. Die Vermehrung von Algen im See ist ein Problem.
   (The proliferation of algae in the lake is a problem.) [Biological]
2. Wir hoffen auf eine schnelle Vermehrung unseres Kapitals.
   (We hope for a rapid increase in our capital.) [Economic]
3. Die unkontrollierte Vermehrung von Gerüchten schadet dem Unternehmen.
   (The uncontrolled spread/increase of rumors harms the company.) [General]
4. Technologische Fortschritte ermöglichen neue Vermehrungen in der Landwirtschaft.
   (Technological advances enable new methods of propagation/increase in agriculture.) [Plural]

🗣️ How 'die Vermehrung' is used

The term die Vermehrung is used in various contexts:

• Biology and Ecology: Here, it usually refers to the *reproduction* of species. One might speak of the *Vermehrung von Bakterien* (proliferation of bacteria), the *vegetativen Vermehrung von Pflanzen* (vegetative propagation of plants), or *ungeschlechtlichen Vermehrung* (asexual reproduction).
• Economy and Finance: In this field, *Vermehrung* often relates to the *increase* of money, capital, or assets (*Kapitalvermehrung* - capital growth).
• Everyday Language: It can also describe an increase here, sometimes negatively, e.g., *die Vermehrung von Müll* (the increase of waste) or *die Vermehrung von Sorgen* (the increase of worries).

It is a rather formal word. In everyday conversation, one might often say *Zunahme* (increase), *Wachstum* (growth), or for living beings *Fortpflanzung* (reproduction), depending on the context. The specific meaning usually becomes clear from the context.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Vermehrung'

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (*die*). Think of other *-ung* words you might know: *die Rechnung* (the bill), *die Wohnung* (the apartment), *die Übung* (the exercise) – and *die Vermehrung*!

Meaning Mnemonic: Inside *Vermehrung* is the German word *mehr*, which means "more". So, *Vermehrung* is about something becoming more – be it life, money, or something else.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar, but Different Words

Mehrung: Very similar to Vermehrung, but less common and sometimes used subtly differently (e.g., often without the active element that 'vermehren' might imply). The distinction is minor.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum sind Mathematiker schlecht im Garten?
Weil sie ständig Wurzeln ziehen und Probleme vermehren!

(Why are mathematicians bad gardeners?
Because they are always extracting roots and multiplying problems!)

📜 A Little Poem

Ein Samenkorn, so klein und fein,
schläft tief in dunkler Erd' allein.
Doch Sonne, Wasser, Zeit vergeht,
die Vermehrung still entsteht.
Ein Keimling wächst, wird groß und stark,
vermehrt sich weiter, Jahr für Jahr, im Park.

(A seed, so small and fine,
sleeps deep in dark earth alone.
But sun, water, time passes by,
the increase/reproduction quietly arises.
A seedling grows, becomes big and strong,
continues multiplying, year after year, in the park.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich sorge dafür, dass aus eins zwei wird,
ob Zelle, Tier oder ein guter Wirt.
Mal bin ich Segen, bringe Leben und Geld,
mal eine Plage für die ganze Welt.

Was bin ich?

(I ensure that one becomes two,
whether cell, animal, or a good host.
Sometimes I am a blessing, bringing life and money,
sometimes a plague for the whole world.

What am I?)
(Solution: Die Vermehrung - Increase/Reproduction/Proliferation)

🧩 Further Details

Word Composition

The word Vermehrung is derived from the verb vermehren (to increase, multiply, reproduce).

• ver-: A prefix often indicating change, completion, or sometimes something negative. Here it signals the process of becoming more.
• mehr: The adjective/adverb for 'more' (a larger number or quantity).
• -en: The infinitive ending of the verb 'vermehren'.
• -ung: A common suffix used to form nouns from verbs, usually describing the process or result of the action. It makes the noun feminine (die).