die
Versteigerung
💰 What exactly is a Versteigerung?
The German word Versteigerung (feminine, article: die) refers to a public sale where goods, services, or rights are sold to the person who makes the highest bid. It's a specific form of sale, often also called an Auktion (auction).
The process typically involves an Ausrufer (auctioneer) who takes the bids, and Bieter (bidders) who try to outbid each other. The Versteigerung ends when no higher bids are made, and the item goes to the highest bidder (often after the famous "Zum Ersten, zum Zweiten und zum Dritten!" - Going once, going twice, sold!).
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 in Detail: Die Versteigerung
The word "Versteigerung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Versteigerung |
| Genitive | der | Versteigerung |
| Dative | der | Versteigerung |
| Accusative | die | Versteigerung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Versteigerungen |
| Genitive | der | Versteigerungen |
| Dative | den | Versteigerungen |
| Accusative | die | Versteigerungen |
Example Sentences
- Die Versteigerung des alten Schlosses zog viele Interessenten an.
(The auction of the old castle attracted many interested parties.) - Er erwarb das Gemälde bei einer Kunstversteigerung.
(He acquired the painting at an art auction.) - Der Erlös aus der Versteigerung kommt einem guten Zweck zugute.
(The proceeds from the auction will benefit a good cause.) - Informationen über zukünftige Versteigerungen finden Sie online.
(You can find information about future auctions online.)
🗣️ When to use "Versteigerung"?
"Versteigerung" is used when talking about the process of selling through bidding. Typical contexts include:
- Kunstversteigerungen: Art auctions (selling paintings, sculptures, etc.)
- Immobilienversteigerungen: Real estate auctions (often Zwangsversteigerungen - foreclosure auctions).
- Online-Versteigerungen: Online auctions (platforms like eBay use this principle).
- Fundbüro-Versteigerungen: Lost-and-found auctions (selling unclaimed items).
- Insolvenzversteigerungen: Bankruptcy auctions (selling assets of an insolvent company).
Unlike a normal Kauf (purchase) with a fixed price, in a Versteigerung, the final price is open and determined by the competition among bidders.
🧠 Mnemonics for Versteigerung
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine (die). Think of the ending "-ung" as a feminine ending. So it's die Versteigerung.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of prices steig-ing (rising, from the verb steigern related to Versteigerung) higher and higher at an auction.
↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Auktion (Very common synonym, often interchangeable)
- Lizitation (More formal/technical or archaic, especially in Austria/Switzerland)
- Submission (More for tenders where the lowest bid wins - essentially a reverse auction)
Antonyms (opposite concepts):
- Kauf (Purchase at a fixed price)
- Festpreisverkauf (Fixed-price sale)
- Schenkung (Donation, gift - transfer without payment)
⚠️ Be careful: An Ausschreibung (tender or invitation to bid) is not a classic auction; it's often about who can provide a service or goods at the lowest price.
😂 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Auktionator: "Wer bietet mehr für dieses schrecklich gemalte Bild?" Ruft einer aus dem Publikum: "Ich biete 10 Euro, wenn Sie mir verraten, wer der Maler ist – damit ich ihm aus dem Weg gehen kann!"
EN: The auctioneer asks: "Who bids more for this terribly painted picture?" Someone from the audience shouts: "I bid 10 euros if you tell me who the painter is – so I can avoid him!"
📜 Poem about an Auction
DE:
Der Hammer fällt, ein Ruf erklingt,
"Zum Ersten!", wie die Spannung singt.
Ein altes Stück, ein selt'ner Fund,
wer bietet mehr in dieser Stund'?
Die Hand geht hoch, der Preis er steigt,
bei der Versteigerung sich zeigt,
wer am Ende glücklich lacht,
hat den Zuschlag mit Bedacht.
EN:
The hammer falls, a call rings out,
"Going once!" as tension sings about.
An ancient piece, a rare find's gleam,
Who offers more in this hour's stream?
A hand goes up, the price ascends,
At the auction, it depends,
Who laughs with joy when all is done,
Has won the bid, thoughtfully won.
❓ Little Riddle
DE:
Ich bin ein Ort, wo Preise steigen,
wo Bieter ihre Hände zeigen.
Ein Hammer fällt am Schluss geschwind,
wer das Höchste bot, gewinnt.
Was bin ich?
... Die Versteigerung
EN:
I am a place where prices rise,
Where bidders show their hands (and eyes).
A hammer falls quickly at the end,
Whoever bid the highest wins, my friend.
What am I?
... An auction (Die Versteigerung)
🧩 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Versteigerung" comes from the verb "versteigern" (to auction off). The prefix "ver-" often indicates a process or change, and "steigern" means to increase (here: to increase the price). The ending "-ung" turns the verb into a noun, denoting the process or result of auctioning.
Trivia: The most famous auction houses in the world are Sotheby's and Christie's, which often achieve record prices for works of art and collectibles.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Versteigerung?
The noun 'Versteigerung' is feminine. The correct article is die Versteigerung. The plural is die Versteigerungen.