die
Verweigerung
🤔 What does "die Verweigerung" mean?
Die Verweigerung (noun, feminine) means the act or state of refusing, denying, or not granting something. It's the explicit statement or behaviour of not doing something, not accepting something, or not allowing something.
The word is derived from the verb verweigern (to refuse, to deny). It often expresses resistance or rejection that is conscious and deliberate.
- Core meaning: Refusal, denial, rejection.
🚨 There are no different meanings based on different articles, as "Verweigerung" is always feminine (die Verweigerung).
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 Verweigerung
"Verweigerung" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verweigerung |
| Genitive | der | Verweigerung |
| Dative | der | Verweigerung |
| Accusative | die | Verweigerung |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Verweigerungen |
| Genitive | der | Verweigerungen |
| Dative | den | Verweigerungen |
| Accusative | die | Verweigerungen |
Example Sentences 📜
- Seine Verweigerung der Aussage führte zu weiteren Ermittlungen.
(His refusal to testify led to further investigations.) - Die Verweigerung des Zugangs war nicht rechtmäßig.
(The denial of access was unlawful.) - Es gab mehrere Verweigerungen, den Befehl auszuführen.
(There were several refusals to carry out the order.) - Ihre ständige Verweigerung jeglicher Hilfe machte die Situation schwierig.
(Her constant refusal of any help made the situation difficult.)
💡 How to use "die Verweigerung"?
"Die Verweigerung" is used in various contexts, often when a person or institution refuses a request, an order, a plea, or a right.
- Legal context: Aussageverweigerung (refusal to testify), Annahmeverweigerung (refusal of acceptance, e.g., of mail), Dienstverweigerung (refusal of service, sometimes dereliction of duty).
- Military/Professional context: Befehlsverweigerung (insubordination, refusal to obey an order), Arbeitsverweigerung (refusal to work), Kriegsdienstverweigerung (conscientious objection to military service).
- General context: The refusal of a request, an invitation, or cooperation.
Compared to Ablehnung (rejection, refusal), Verweigerung is often stronger and sometimes implies resistance against authority or duty. Zurückweisung (rejection, rebuff) can be similar but often refers to people or offers.
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Verweigerung"
Article mnemonic: Nouns ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine (die). Think: DIE demand (ForderUNG) meets DIE refusal (VerweigerUNG).
Meaning mnemonic: "Verweigern" sounds a bit like "VERy VIGorously deny". When you verweigern something, you strongly deny or refuse it. Die Verweigerung is the act itself.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Ablehnung: Rejection, refusal (general).
- Zurückweisung: Rejection, rebuff (often of people, applications, offers).
- Absage: Cancellation, refusal (of an invitation or appointment).
- Widerstand: Resistance, opposition.
- Nichtbefolgung: Non-compliance, disobedience.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Zustimmung: Consent, approval, agreement.
- Annahme: Acceptance.
- Gewährung: Granting, concession.
- Befolgung: Compliance, adherence (to orders).
- Kooperation: Cooperation.
- Einwilligung: Consent, assent.
⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse with Weigerung. Verweigerung is more common and often more formal. Weigerung is based on the simple verb weigern (to refuse).
😄 A little joke
Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum hast du deine Hausaufgaben nicht gemacht?"
Fritzchen: "Herr Lehrer, das war keine Verweigerung, das war kreative Pausengestaltung!"
Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why didn't you do your homework?"
Fritzchen: "Teacher, that wasn't a refusal (Verweigerung), that was creative break management!"
📜 A short poem
Ein klares "Nein", ein fester Stand,
manchmal die Pflicht in diesem Land.
Die Bitte kommt, der Druck wird groß,
Doch folgt darauf entschlossen bloß:
Die Verweigerung, klar und rein,
lässt nicht jede Forderung ein.
(A clear "No", a firm stance,
sometimes duty in this land.
The request comes, the pressure grows,
But resolutely follows thus:
The refusal, clear and pure,
doesn't let every demand endure.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bin ein "Nein" in Tat und Wort,
treibe manchen Kompromiss fort.
Manchmal Recht, manchmal ein Zwang,
beende ich manchen Gedankengang.
Was bin ich?
(I am a "No" in deed and word,
driving many compromises away unheard.
Sometimes a right, sometimes a constraint,
I end many a train of thought's complaint.
What am I?)
(Solution: die Verweigerung / the refusal)
➕ More Information
Word Formation:
- The word "Verweigerung" is a noun derived from the verb "verweigern" (to refuse, to deny).
- It consists of the prefix ver-, the stem of the verb weigern (to refuse), and the suffix -ung, which typically forms feminine nouns from verbs, denoting a process or its result.
Cultural Aspects:
- The right to Kriegsdienstverweigerung (conscientious objection to military service) based on grounds of conscience is enshrined in the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz, Article 4, Paragraph 3).
- Verweigerung can be an important tool of civil disobedience (ziviler Ungehorsam).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verweigerung?
The word "Verweigerung" is always feminine. The correct article is die Verweigerung. It means refusal, denial, or rejection.