die  Verringerung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈʁɪŋɐʊŋ/

📉 What does "die Verringerung" mean?

Die Verringerung refers to the process or result of something becoming smaller, less, or lower in quantity, value, intensity, or speed. It translates to reduction, decrease, or diminution.

The word is a noun derived from the verb verringern (to reduce, to decrease). It is always feminine, so the article is consistently die.

Examples of contexts:

• Verringerung der Kosten (Reduction of costs)
• Verringerung des Risikos (Reduction of risk)
• Verringerung der Geschwindigkeit (Decrease in speed)
• Verringerung der Umweltbelastung (Reduction of environmental pollution)

⚠️ There are no different meanings based on different articles, as 'Verringerung' exclusively uses the article 'die'.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Verringerung

The noun "Verringerung" is feminine. It is mostly used in the singular. The plural form "Verringerungen" is grammatically possible but rather uncommon; synonyms like "Reduzierungen" or circumlocutions are often used instead.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Verringerung der Arbeitslosenzahlen ist ein positives Signal.
   (The reduction in unemployment figures is a positive signal.)
2. Wir diskutieren eine Verringerung der Produktionskosten.
   (We are discussing a reduction of production costs.)
3. Durch die Dämmung konnte eine deutliche Verringerung des Energieverbrauchs erreicht werden.
   (Through the insulation, a significant reduction in energy consumption could be achieved.)
4. Die Ärzte streben eine Verringerung der Dosis an.
   (The doctors aim for a reduction of the dose.)

💡 How to Use "Verringerung"?

"Verringerung" is used to express the process or result of a decrease. It often sounds slightly more formal than *Abnahme* or *Senkung*.

• Context: Often found in economic, technical, scientific, or political contexts (e.g., *Kostenverringerung* - cost reduction, *Risikoverringerung* - risk reduction, *Schadstoffverringerung* - pollutant reduction).
• Comparison with Synonyms:
  • Reduzierung/Reduktion: Very similar, often interchangeable. *Reduzierung* might be slightly more common in everyday language.
  • Abnahme: Can also describe a natural decline (e.g., *Abnahme des Mondes* - waning of the moon).
  • Senkung: Often emphasizes the active lowering of a level (e.g., *Preissenkung* - price reduction, *Zinssenkung* - interest rate cut).
  • Minderung: Similar to *Verringerung*, often used for negative things (e.g., *Schadensminderung* - damage mitigation, *Lärmminderung* - noise reduction).

It's often used with the genitive case or 'von' + dative: die Verringerung der Kosten (the reduction of the costs) or die Verringerung von Kosten (the reduction of costs).

🧠 Mnemonics for Verringerung

Article Mnemonic

Many German nouns ending in -ung that describe a process or state are feminine: die Meinung (opinion), die Lösung (solution), die Hoffnung (hope) – and also die Verringerung. Think of -ung as a typically feminine ending!

Meaning Mnemonic

Think of the German adjective "gering" (low, small, minor). The verb is "verringern" (to make smaller/lower). So, die Verringerung is the act or result of making something 'geringer' – the reduction or decrease.

↔️ Opposites and Synonyms

Watch out: Don't confuse *Verringerung* (reduction) with *Geringfügigkeit* (insignificance, triviality).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den Controller: "Gab es eine deutliche Verringerung der Ausgaben letzten Monat?"
Antwortet der Controller: "Ja, Chef! Vor allem bei Ihrem Gehalt, wenn wir so weitermachen!"

(The boss asks the controller: "Was there a significant reduction in expenses last month?"
The controller replies: "Yes, boss! Especially in your salary, if we keep going like this!")

📜 Poem about Reduction

Die Menge schmilzt, das Maß wird klein,
die Zahl sinkt tief, so soll es sein?
Die Kosten fallen, welch ein Glück,
die Verringerung Stück für Stück.
Ob Tempo, Risiko, ob Schall,
weniger ist besser, überall.

(The quantity melts, the measure gets small,
the number sinks low, should it be so at all?
The costs are falling, what luck indeed,
the reduction piece by piece, a welcome deed.
Whether speed, or risk, or sound so tall,
less is better, overall.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin das Gegenteil von mehr,
mach Zahlen kleiner, bitte sehr.
Ob Preis, ob Lärm, ob Schmerz,
ich bring Erleichterung ins Herz.
Manchmal gewollt, manchmal ein Muss,
was bin ich für ein Wortgenuss?

(I am the opposite of more,
I make numbers smaller, please adore.
Whether price, or noise, or pain,
I bring relief into the main.
Sometimes wanted, sometimes a must,
what word am I, in language's crust?)

Answer: Die Verringerung (The Reduction)

🧩 Word Building Blocks

The word "Verringerung" is composed of:

• ver-: A prefix that often indicates a change, completion, or sometimes something negative.
• ringer: Related to the adjective "gering" (low, small, insignificant). The form "ringer" is an older or comparative form (geringer = smaller/lower).
• -ung: A suffix that turns verbs into nouns, often denoting a process or its result. Such nouns are usually feminine.

So, it literally means: The process of making something 'geringer' (smaller, lower).