die
Versicherung
📚 What does "die Versicherung" mean?
The German word die Versicherung primarily has two meanings:
- Financial Protection Contract (Insurance): This is the most common meaning. It refers to a contract (die Police) with a company that provides financial compensation in case of damage or loss (e.g., accident - Unfall, illness - Krankheit, theft - Diebstahl). It can also refer to the insurance company itself or the system of coverage. Examples include Krankenversicherung (health insurance), Haftpflichtversicherung (liability insurance), or Lebensversicherung (life insurance).
- Assurance or Affirmation: In a somewhat more formal context, it means a firm promise, assertion, or confirmation that something is true or will be done. It expresses certainty and trust (Vertrauen).
Since the word ends in "-ung", it's grammatically feminine and always takes the article die.
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 of "die Versicherung" in Detail
"Versicherung" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Versicherung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Versicherung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Versicherung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Versicherung |
Declension (Plural)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Versicherungen |
| Genitive | der | Versicherungen |
| Dative | den | Versicherungen |
| Accusative | die | Versicherungen |
Example Sentences
- Meaning 1 (Insurance Contract): Hast du eine gute Versicherung für dein neues Auto abgeschlossen?
(Did you take out good insurance for your new car?) - Meaning 1 (Insurance Contract): Die private Krankenversicherung wird immer teurer.
(Private health insurance is getting more and more expensive.) - Meaning 1 (Company): Ich arbeite bei einer großen Versicherung.
(I work at a large insurance company.) - Meaning 2 (Assurance): Er gab mir die Versicherung, dass alles gut werden würde.
(He gave me the assurance that everything would be alright.) - Meaning 2 (Assurance): Ihre wiederholten Versicherungen konnten mich nicht beruhigen.
(Her repeated assurances couldn't calm me down.)
💡 How to Use "die Versicherung" Correctly
The usage of die Versicherung heavily depends on the context:
- In everyday life & finance: It usually refers to the insurance contract or the company. Common phrases are "eine Versicherung abschließen" (to take out insurance), "eine Versicherung haben" (to have insurance), "die Versicherung zahlt" (the insurance pays). Common compound words include Haftpflichtversicherung (liability insurance), Hausratversicherung (home contents insurance), Reiseversicherung (travel insurance), Sozialversicherung (social security insurance).
- In formal language & writing: The meaning of "assurance" or "affirmation" is more common in formal contexts, speeches, or written documents. Example: "Ich gebe Ihnen meine feste Versicherung, dass wir die Frist einhalten." (I give you my firm assurance that we will meet the deadline.)
Potential for Confusion?
- Sicherheit (die): While die Versicherung refers to specific protection (often financial) or an assurance, die Sicherheit means a more general state of being safe/secure or certainty. An insurance policy can contribute to one's Sicherheit.
- Gewissheit (die): Similar to Sicherheit, but more related to knowledge or conviction. An Versicherung (assurance) can provide Gewissheit.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Versicherung"
- For the article: Most German nouns ending in -ung are feminine (die). Think of: die Meinung (opinion), die Leitung (management, pipe), die Hoffnung (hope) – and therefore also die Versicherung.
- For the meaning: Imagine you need VersicherUNG so you don't face unpleasant ÜberraschUNGen (surprises) like accidents without financial backing. It's your *securing* (Sicherung) against financial trouble. Or: A firm Versicherung (assurance) *secures* (sichert) that someone keeps their word.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- For Insurance Contract: Police (die Police - same word), Assekuranz (die Assekuranz - dated), Absicherung (die Absicherung - cover/safeguard), Schutzbrief (der Schutzbrief - specific type, e.g., for cars)
- For Assurance: Bestätigung (die Bestätigung - confirmation), Zusage (die Zusage - promise/commitment), Beteuerung (die Beteuerung - assertion), Gewährleistung (die Gewährleistung - guarantee/warranty), Garantie (die Garantie - guarantee), Versprechen (das Versprechen - promise)
Antonyms
- For Insurance Contract: Risiko (das Risiko - risk), Ungeschütztheit (die Ungeschütztheit - lack of protection), Eigenrisiko (das Eigenrisiko - deductible/own risk)
- For Assurance: Unsicherheit (die Unsicherheit - uncertainty), Zweifel (der Zweifel - doubt), Ungewissheit (die Ungewissheit - uncertainty), Dementi (das Dementi - denial), Widerruf (der Widerruf - revocation)
Similar Terms
- Sicherheit (die): Security, safety, certainty.
- Gewissheit (die): Certainty, certitude.
- Vertrag (der): Contract (an insurance policy is a type of Vertrag).
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Versicherungsvertreter: "Haben Sie schon eine Lebensversicherung?" Antwortet der Kunde: "Wozu? Ich bin doch gar nicht lebensmüde!"
EN: The insurance agent asks: "Do you already have life insurance?" The customer replies: "What for? I'm not tired of life!" (Note: "lebensmüde" literally means "tired of life" but idiomatically means "suicidal" or "reckless". The joke plays on the literal meaning.)
📜 Poem about Insurance
DE:
Ein Dachziegel fällt, das Bein ist hin,
wer zahlt das nun, macht das noch Sinn?
Die Rechnung kommt, oh Schreck, oh Graus,
doch halt, da hilft die Police aus!
Die Versicherung, klug erdacht,
hat dich vor großem Zorn bewacht.
EN:
A roof tile falls, the leg is done,
Who pays for this, is there still fun?
The bill arrives, oh dread, oh fear,
But wait, the policy is here!
The insurance, cleverly conceived,
Has guarded you from anger grieved.
🧩 Little Riddle
DE:
Ich bin ein Vertrag, mal groß, mal klein,
bei Schaden spring' ich für dich ein.
Ich kann auch eine Zusage sein,
dass etwas stimmt und ist ganz rein.
Ich ende auf "-ung", das ist fein,
drum muss mein Artikel "die" stets sein.
Was bin ich?
... Die Versicherung
EN:
I am a contract, sometimes big, sometimes small,
When there's damage, I step in for you all.
I can also be an assurance true,
That something's right and pure for you.
I end in "-ung", which is neat,
So my article must always be "die", sweet.
What am I?
... Die Versicherung (Insurance/Assurance)
✨ Other Information
Word Composition
The word Versicherung is a nominalization (forming a noun) of the verb versichern using the suffix -ung.
- versichern: Means "to assure", "to insure something against damage", or "to make sure of something".
- -ung: Suffix used to form nouns from verbs, often denoting the process or result of the action.
Related Terms
- versichert (adjective): insured (e.g., "Ich bin gut versichert." - I am well insured.) or assured/certain.
- Versicherer (der): insurer (the company).
- Versicherungsnehmer (der): policyholder.
- Versicherungsfall (der): insured event/claim event.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Versicherung?
The word 'Versicherung' is feminine, so the correct article is always die Versicherung. It has two main meanings: 1. Insurance (a contract or system protecting against financial loss) and 2. Assurance (a firm statement or guarantee).