die
Versorgungssicherheit
🛡️ What does 'die Versorgungssicherheit' mean?
Die Versorgungssicherheit is a German noun that translates to security of supply. It describes the state where the reliable provision of essential goods or services (like Energie [energy], Wasser [water], Lebensmittel [food], or Rohstoffe [raw materials]) adequate to meet demand is guaranteed for an economy or society.
It's about ensuring that supply chains (Lieferketten) are stable and that no serious shortages (Engpässe) or disruptions (Ausfälle) occur that could negatively impact public life or the economy.
The term is frequently used in contexts such as Energiepolitik (energy policy), Wirtschaftspolitik (economic policy), and Krisenmanagement (crisis management).
🚨 Because the word ends in '-heit', it is feminine (die).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-heit → always feminine.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Versorgungssicherheit
The noun „Versorgungssicherheit“ is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is „die“. It is mostly used in the singular form because it describes an abstract concept.
Declension (Singular)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Versorgungssicherheit |
| Genitive | der | Versorgungssicherheit |
| Dative | der | Versorgungssicherheit |
| Accusative | die | Versorgungssicherheit |
A plural form („die Versorgungssicherheiten“) is grammatically possible but very uncommon, as the concept is usually considered as a whole.
📝 Example Sentences
- Die Versorgungssicherheit bei Strom und Gas hat oberste Priorität.
The security of supply for electricity and gas has top priority. - Politische Instabilität kann die Versorgungssicherheit gefährden.
Political instability can endanger the security of supply. - Wir müssen Maßnahmen ergreifen, um die Versorgungssicherheit langfristig zu gewährleisten.
We must take measures to ensure long-term security of supply. - Die Frage der Versorgungssicherheit ist ein zentrales Thema in der Debatte um erneuerbare Energien.
The question of security of supply is a central topic in the debate about renewable energies.
🌐 When and How is 'Versorgungssicherheit' Used?
Die Versorgungssicherheit is a key term in discussions and planning related to the stability and reliability of basic services and goods. Typical contexts include:
- Energiepolitik (Energy Policy): Ensuring a stable supply of electricity, gas, and oil.
- Wirtschaft (Economy): Securing raw material supplies and functioning supply chains.
- Lebensmittel (Food): Guaranteeing food production and distribution.
- Wasserwirtschaft (Water Management): Ensuring a reliable supply of drinking water.
- Gesundheitswesen (Healthcare System): Availability of medicines and medical equipment.
The word has a rather formal connotation and is frequently used in political, economic, and technical reports, news, and discussions.
Distinguishing from similar terms:
- Verfügbarkeit (Availability): Refers more to the presence of a good at a specific time. Versorgungssicherheit implies long-term and reliable availability.
- Sicherheit (Security/Safety): A very general term. Versorgungssicherheit is more specific to the supply of goods/services.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Mnemonic for the Article (die)
Many German nouns ending in -heit (like Freiheit - freedom, Gesundheit - health) are feminine (die). Think of 'the security' (die Sicherheit) needed for 'the supply' (die Versorgung) -> die Versorgungssicherheit.
Mnemonic for the Meaning
Break it down: Versorgung sounds like 'for-sore-gung' (imagine needing supplies when you're sore!), meaning supply/provision. Sicherheit sounds like 'secure-height', meaning security. So, Versorgungssicherheit is the 'security of supply'.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Liefersicherheit: Delivery reliability (emphasizes the delivery aspect).
- Bestandssicherheit: Inventory security (focuses on secure stock levels).
- Gewährleistung der Versorgung: Guarantee of supply (descriptive, emphasizes active assurance).
- Stabilität der Versorgung: Stability of supply (highlights continuity).
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Versorgungsunsicherheit: Insecurity of supply (direct opposite).
- Versorgungsmangel: Supply shortage/deficiency.
- Versorgungsengpass: Supply bottleneck/shortage (often temporary).
- Versorgungskrise: Supply crisis (severe shortage or disruption).
- Lieferunsicherheit: Delivery uncertainty.
⚠️ Similar but Different Words:
- Versorgungsgrad: Degree of supply/self-sufficiency rate (indicates the percentage of demand covered).
- Versorgungsqualität: Quality of supply (refers to the standard, e.g., water quality).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Wirtschaftsminister den Energieminister: „Ist unsere Versorgungssicherheit wirklich sicher?“
Antwortet der Energieminister: „Absolut! Ich bin mir sicher, dass wir uns Sorgen machen müssen.“ 😉
Translation:
The Minister of Economics asks the Minister of Energy: "Is our security of supply really secure?"
The Minister of Energy replies: "Absolutely! I'm sure we need to worry." 😉
📜 Poem about Versorgungssicherheit
Das Licht geht an, das Wasser fließt,
die Heizung wärmt, wie man's genießt.
Was selbstverständlich oft erscheint,
ist Arbeit, die uns stark vereint.
Die Versorgungssicherheit, ein hohes Gut,
gibt uns Stabilität und Mut.
Für Energie, für Speis und Trank,
sagt die Gesellschaft „Gott sei Dank!“.
Translation:
The light turns on, the water flows,
The heating warms, as everyone knows (and enjoys).
What often seems a matter of course,
Is work that unites us with great force.
The security of supply, a precious good,
Gives us stability and hardihood.
For energy, for food and drink,
Society says "Thank God!", we think.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Wort, das Stabilität verspricht,
Ob Strom, ob Gas, ob Tageslicht (indirekt!).
Ich sorge dafür, dass nichts fehlt im Land,
Bin oft in Politik und Wirtschaft genannt.
Ende auf '-heit', bin feminin und wichtig sehr,
Was bin ich wohl? Es ist nicht schwer!
Translation:
I am a word that promises stability,
Whether power, or gas, or daylight's ability (indirectly!).
I ensure that nothing is lacking in the nation,
Often named in politics and economic elation.
I end in '-heit', am feminine and very key,
What am I then? It's easy, you see!
Solution: Die Versorgungssicherheit
💡 Other Information
Word Composition
The word Versorgungssicherheit is a compound noun (Kompositum), made up of:
- Die Versorgung: The supply, provision (the act of supplying or the provision of goods/services).
- The linking element -s-: Connects the two parts.
- Die Sicherheit: The security, safety (the state of being secure, protection from danger or lack).
Together, the meaning is: The security of the supply.
Current Relevance
The term has gained significant importance in recent years due to global crises (pandemic, wars, climate change) and the energy transition (Energiewende). Discussions about dependencies on supply chains and the need for resilient systems frequently bring Versorgungssicherheit into focus.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Versorgungssicherheit?
The correct article for Versorgungssicherheit is die. It is a feminine noun, which is typical for German words ending in -heit.