die
Verminderung
📉 What does 'die Verminderung' actually mean?
Die Verminderung (noun, feminine) refers to the process or result of something becoming less, smaller, or decreasing. It signifies a reduction in quantity, value, intensity, or size.
It's a noun derived from the verb vermindern (to reduce, decrease something). The ending -ung in German often signals a feminine noun, which is true here.
There is only one article 'die' for this word. ⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with words like 'Minderung' (often used more in legal contexts or for rent reduction), although the meaning is similar.
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: Declining 'die Verminderung'
The word 'Verminderung' is a feminine noun. Its declension follows the pattern for feminine nouns ending in '-ung'.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verminderung |
| Genitive | der | Verminderung |
| Dative | der | Verminderung |
| Accusative | die | Verminderung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verminderungen |
| Genitive | der | Verminderungen |
| Dative | den | Verminderungen |
| Accusative | die | Verminderungen |
💬 Example Sentences
- Die Firma plant eine Verminderung der Produktionskosten. (The company is planning a reduction of production costs.)
- Eine Verminderung des Lärms ist dringend notwendig. (A reduction of noise is urgently necessary.)
- Wir beobachten eine deutliche Verminderung der Insektenpopulation. (We are observing a significant decrease in the insect population.)
- Durch die Diät kam es zu einer Verminderung des Körpergewichts. (The diet led to a reduction in body weight.)
💡 When to use 'die Verminderung'?
'Verminderung' is used when describing a process or state of decline or reduction. It's a somewhat formal word often found in technical, scientific, economic, or official contexts.
- Economics/Finance: Verminderung von Kosten (costs), Schulden (debt), Nachfrage (demand).
- Science/Technology: Verminderung von Emissionen (emissions), Strahlung (radiation), Reibung (friction).
- Medicine: Verminderung von Symptomen (symptoms), Schmerzen (pain), Risiken (risks).
- General: Verminderung von Lärm (noise), Geschwindigkeit (speed), Einfluss (influence).
Compared to synonyms like Reduzierung or Senkung, 'Verminderung' can sometimes suggest a more gradual or natural process, while Reduzierung often implies an active intervention. Abnahme is often more neutral.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Verminderung'
Article Mnemonic: Most nouns ending in -ung are feminine, so it's die Verminderung. Think of the ending!
Meaning Mnemonic: The word contains 'minder', which means 'less' in German (and sounds like minus or minor). A Ver-minder-ung makes something less (minder).
🔄 Similar and Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Reduzierung: Very similar, often interchangeable, sometimes emphasizes the active action more.
- Die Senkung: Often used for prices, costs, temperatures (lowering).
- Die Abnahme: Neutral term for a decrease.
- Der Rückgang: General term for a decline or downward trend.
- Die Verringerung: Very similar to Verminderung.
- Die Minderung: Similar, but often more specific (e.g., rent reduction, quality reduction).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Die Erhöhung: Increase, rise (e.g., price increase).
- Die Steigerung: Increase, enhancement, often of performance, intensity.
- Die Zunahme: General term for an increase.
- Das Wachstum: Growth (increase in size, scope, or importance).
- Die Vermehrung: Increase in number or quantity, multiplication.
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with die Vermeidung (avoidance).
😂 A little joke to lighten the mood
Fragt der Chef: "Haben wir schon eine Verminderung der Kaffeekosten erreicht?"
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Ja, Chef! Ich trinke jetzt nur noch eine halbe Tasse!"
Translation:
The boss asks: "Have we achieved a reduction in coffee costs yet?"
The employee says: "Yes, boss! I only drink half a cup now!"
📜 A little poem about 'die Verminderung'
Wo Lärm zu viel, die Zahl zu groß,
Da hilft sie uns, ganz famos.
Die Kosten sinken, der Stress wird klein,
Die Verminderung stellt sich ein.
Ein Weniger, das oft Mehr bedeuten kann,
Sie schafft uns Raum, fängt Neues an.
Translation:
Where noise is too much, the number too big,
There it helps us, quite superb.
Costs sink, stress becomes small,
The reduction sets in for all.
A 'less' that often can mean 'more',
It creates space for us, starts something new to explore.
❓ Riddle Time: What am I?
Ich bin das Gegenteil von Wachstum und Mehr.
Ich mache Dinge kleiner, das ist nicht schwer.
Ob Kosten, Lärm oder auch Gefahr,
ich sorge dafür, dass weniger ist da.
Mit '-ung' am Ende, feminin im Klang,
wie heiß ich wohl, sag's ohne Zwang?
Translation:
I am the opposite of growth and more.
I make things smaller, that's not a chore.
Whether costs, noise, or even danger's call,
I ensure that there is less for all.
With '-ung' at the end, feminine in sound,
What am I called, tell me now, don't hang around?
Solution: die Verminderung
⚙️ Word Building Blocks and More
Word Composition:
- Prefix: ver- (often indicating a change or a goal)
- Stem: mindern (to lessen, reduce; related to 'minder' = less)
- Suffix: -ung (forms nouns from verbs, usually feminine, denoting a process or result)
The corresponding verb is vermindern (transitive: to reduce something; reflexive: to decrease/diminish).
Example (transitive): Die Regierung versucht, die Staatsverschuldung zu vermindern. (The government is trying to reduce the national debt.)
Example (reflexive): Die Zahl der Arbeitslosen hat sich leicht vermindert. (The number of unemployed people has decreased slightly.)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verminderung?
The word "Verminderung" is always feminine. The correct article is die Verminderung. The plural is die Verminderungen.