die  Verwendung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈvɛndʊŋ/

🎯 What does 'die Verwendung' mean?

Die Verwendung is a feminine German noun (Substantiv, feminin). It primarily translates to use, application, or purpose. It describes the act of using or applying something for a specific purpose or in a certain way.

• Main meaning: The use or application of something. Example: Die Verwendung von recyceltem Papier schont die Umwelt. (The use of recycled paper protects the environment.)
• Secondary meaning: Sometimes used in the sense of intercession or mediation (more formal/archaic). Example: Er bat um meine Verwendung bei seinem Vorgesetzten. (He asked for my intercession with his supervisor.) (rare)

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse Verwendung with Verschwendung (waste)!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar Spotlight: Die Verwendung

Die Verwendung is a feminine noun. Like most nouns ending in -ung, it takes the feminine article die.

Declension of 'die Verwendung' (Declension)

💡 Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Die richtige Verwendung dieses Werkzeugs ist entscheidend.
   (The correct use of this tool is crucial.)
2. Es gibt viele Verwendungen für dieses Material.
   (There are many uses for this material.)
3. Wir müssen über die Verwendung der Finanzmittel entscheiden.
   (We need to decide on the use/allocation of the financial resources.)
4. Nach seiner Verwendung als Bürostuhl wurde der Sessel entsorgt.
   (After its use as an office chair, the armchair was disposed of.)

🗣️ How is 'die Verwendung' used?

Die Verwendung is often used in formal and technical contexts, but also in everyday language.

• Typical Contexts: Instructions (Anleitungen), descriptions of processes (Prozessbeschreibungen), discussions about resources or funds (Ressourcen, Mittel), statements of purpose (Zweckbestimmungen).
• Set Phrases (Feste Wendungen):
  • zur Verwendung kommen: to be used (e.g., Welche Materialien kommen zur Verwendung? - Which materials are used?)
  • Verwendung finden: to find use, to be applied (e.g., Diese Technik findet breite Verwendung. - This technique finds wide application.)
  • etwas einer neuen Verwendung zuführen: to put something to a new use.
• Distinction from Synonyms:
  • Gebrauch: Often more everyday, relating to handling or daily use (e.g., der tägliche Gebrauch - daily use).
  • Nutzung: Often emphasizes the benefit or yield derived (e.g., die Nutzung von Solarenergie - the utilization of solar energy).
  • Anwendung: Frequently refers to methods, rules, software, or abstract concepts (e.g., die Anwendung einer Theorie - the application of a theory).
  • Einsatz: Often emphasizes the active, purposeful aspect, also used for personnel or military deployment (e.g., der Einsatz von Rettungskräften - the deployment of rescue workers).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Verwendung'

Article Mnemonic: The ending "-ung" in German nouns is almost always feminine. Think of other "-ung" words you might know: die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Zeitung (the newspaper)... and thus, die Verwendung! It's a very common feminine ending.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word comes from the verb verwenden (to use). Imagine you have to turn (wenden) something around and around to figure out how to use it properly. Die Verwendung is the result of this 'turning' for a purpose – the actual use or application.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar but Different Words:

• Verwandlung: (Transformation) A change in form or nature.
• Verbindung: (Connection, link) A link or relationship.

😂 A Little Joke

Chef zum neuen Mitarbeiter: "Können Sie mit Excel umgehen?"
Mitarbeiter: "Ja klar, aber die Verwendung von Kaffeetassen als Stiftehalter finde ich effizienter!"

Translation:
Boss to new employee: "Do you know how to handle Excel?"
Employee: "Sure, but I find the use of coffee mugs as pen holders more efficient!"

✍️ Poem about Use

Ein Ding liegt da, ganz ohne Klang,
bis jemand kommt, nach seinem Drang.
Zur Zierde, Arbeit, Spiel und Lust,
die Verwendung gibt ihm erst bewusst
einen Sinn, 'nen Zweck, 'ne Richtung klar,
so wird es nützlich, wunderbar.

Translation:
A thing lies there, quite without sound,
until someone comes, by their urge bound.
For decor, work, play, and delight,
the use first gives it, consciously bright,
a meaning, a purpose, a direction clear,
thus it becomes useful, wonderfully dear.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin der Zweck, der einem Ding gegeben,
ob Werkzeug, Wort, im kurzen oder langen Leben.
Man findet mich in Anleitungen, klug und fein,
ich sag dir, wozu etwas soll sein.

Wie heißt das Wort, feminin und auf "-ung" endend gar,
das Einsatz, Nutzen macht offenbar?

Lösung/Solution: die Verwendung

Translation:
I am the purpose given to a thing,
whether tool or word, in life's short or long swing.
You find me in instructions, clever and fine,
I tell you what something is designed for, line by line.

What is the word, feminine and ending in "-ung", you see,
that makes deployment and utility clear as can be?

🧩 Further Details

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

Die Verwendung is a noun derived from the verb verwenden (to use, to apply). The suffix -ung is commonly used in German to form nouns from verbs, often describing the process or result of the action. These nouns are almost always feminine.

• verwenden (verb) + -ung (suffix) → die Verwendung (noun)

Interesting Note: The plural form Verwendungen often refers to different types of use or various fields of application.