die  Vermutung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈmʊtʊŋ/

🤔 What's Behind die Vermutung?

Die Vermutung (noun, feminine) means a supposition, assumption, guess, or conjecture. It refers to an idea or thought based on incomplete information, clues, or intuition, rather than on certain knowledge or proof.

• It expresses uncertainty, a possibility that hasn't been confirmed yet.
• In a scientific context, a Vermutung can be the first step towards a hypothesis.
• In everyday life, we constantly make Vermutungen when trying to interpret situations or others' behavior.

🚨 Attention: A Vermutung is not a fact! It should always be identified as such and checked if possible.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Die Vermutung in Detail

The word "Vermutung" is a feminine noun. The article is "die". It is declined as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das ist bisher nur eine Vermutung, wir haben keine Beweise.
   (So far, that's just a supposition, we have no proof.)
2. Meine Vermutung hat sich leider bestätigt.
   (Unfortunately, my suspicion was confirmed.)
3. Er äußerte die Vermutung, dass der Täter aus der Nachbarschaft stammen könnte.
   (He expressed the assumption that the perpetrator might be from the neighborhood.)
4. Die Polizei geht verschiedenen Vermutungen nach.
   (The police are pursuing various conjectures/leads.)

💡 Everyday Use: When to Say 'Vermutung'?

"Vermutung" is used when expressing an idea or conclusion that isn't based on facts, but rather on signs or reasoning.

• In conversation: To express an uncertain opinion or suspicion ("Ich habe die Vermutung, dass er nicht die Wahrheit sagt." - I have a suspicion he's not telling the truth.)
• In reports/science: To name an unproven assumption or hypothesis ("Die Vermutung, dass Wasser auf dem Mars existiert, wird weiter untersucht." - The supposition that water exists on Mars is being further investigated.)
• Distinctions:
  • Annahme (assumption): Often synonymous, sometimes slightly less speculative, more like a basis for further thought.
  • Hypothese (hypothesis): Mainly in a scientific context, a testable supposition.
  • Spekulation (speculation): Often has a more negative connotation, an unfounded or wild guess.

One can äußern (express), anstellen (make), haben (have), bestätigen (confirm) or widerlegen (refute) a Vermutung.

🧠 Mnemonics for Vermutung

Article Mnemonic (die):

Nouns ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine. Think of die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope), die Lösung (solution)... and therefore die Vermutung!

Meaning Mnemonic:

The verb "vermuten" means "to suppose" or "to guess". The noun Vermutung is directly derived from it, so it means the "supposition" or "guess" itself. If you vermute something, you make a Vermutung.

🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Mathematiker eine Leiter mit ins Bett?
Weil sie gehört haben, dass die Vermutung nahe liegt! 😉

(Why do mathematicians take a ladder to bed?
Because they heard that the conjecture/supposition (Vermutung) is close! – This is a pun, as "nahe liegen" means both "to be obvious/plausible" and literally "to lie near").

✍️ Poem about Vermutung

Ein leiser Zweifel, kaum ein Hauch,
Ein Indiz im Nebelrauch.
Kein Wissen fest, kein klarer Grund,
Nur eine Ahnung tut sich kund.
Man wägt das Für und Wider schlicht,
Ein Urteil fällt man erstmal nicht.
So bleibt's im Raum, bis Klarheit naht,
Die Vermutung – eine leise Saat.

(A quiet doubt, barely a breath,
A clue in misty smoke's depth.
No certain knowledge, no clear ground,
Just an inkling can be found.
One weighs the pros and cons so slight,
A judgment isn't formed forthright.
It lingers there till clarity's near,
The supposition – a quiet seed held dear.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Fakt, kein fester Stand,
Entsteh' aus Zweifel, nicht aus Wissenshand.
Man äußert mich oft leis' und vage,
Bevor die Antwort kommt zur Frage.
Was bin ich?

(I am no fact, no solid stand,
Born out of doubt, not knowledge's hand.
I'm often uttered softly, vaguely,
Before the answer comes to the query.
What am I?)

Lösung/Solution: die Vermutung (the supposition/guess)

🧩 Further Details

Word Formation:

The word "Vermutung" is derived from the verb "vermuten" (to suppose, to guess). The suffix "-ung" is often used in German to form nouns from verbs, typically describing the process or result of the action (e.g., hoffen -> Hoffnung (hope), meinen -> Meinung (opinion)).

Related Words:

• vermuten (verb): to suppose, assume, guess without being certain.
• vermutlich (adverb/adjective): presumably, probably, likely.