die
Voraussetzung
🧐 What exactly is a 'Voraussetzung'?
Die Voraussetzung (noun, feminine) describes a condition that must be met before something else can happen or be valid. It's something that is *presupposed* (vorausgesetzt) or required.
- Meaning 1: A necessary condition, a requirement, or a prerequisite. (e.g., for a job, a course, a contract)
- Meaning 2: An assumption or premise from which one proceeds in reasoning or argumentation. (e.g., in logic or philosophy)
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse 'Voraussetzung' with 'Ergebnis' (result) or 'Folge' (consequence). The *Voraussetzung* always comes before.
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 Voraussetzung
The word "Voraussetzung" is a feminine noun. The article is always die.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Voraussetzung |
| Genitive | der | Voraussetzung |
| Dative | der | Voraussetzung |
| Accusative | die | Voraussetzung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Voraussetzungen |
| Genitive | der | Voraussetzungen |
| Dative | den | Voraussetzungen |
| Accusative | die | Voraussetzungen |
Example Sentences
- Gute Deutschkenntnisse sind eine Voraussetzung für diesen Job.
(Good German skills are a prerequisite for this job.) - Unter der Voraussetzung, dass das Wetter gut ist, findet das Picknick statt.
(On the condition that the weather is good, the picnic will take place.) - Er erfüllte alle notwendigen Voraussetzungen für die Zulassung zum Studium.
(He fulfilled all necessary requirements for admission to the university.) - Ihre Argumentation basiert auf falschen Voraussetzungen.
(Her argumentation is based on false premises/assumptions.)
💡 How to use "Voraussetzung"?
'Voraussetzung' is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts when talking about conditions or requirements.
- In work & study: Often related to qualifications, admission criteria, or project requirements. (e.g., Berufserfahrung als Voraussetzung - work experience as a prerequisite)
- In contracts & agreements: Conditions that must be met for the contract to be valid or for certain clauses to apply. (e.g., unter der Voraussetzung, dass... - on the condition that...)
- In logic & argumentation: As a premise or assumption upon which a conclusion is built. (e.g., von einer bestimmten Voraussetzung ausgehen - to assume a certain premise)
- In everyday life: Conditions for plans or activities. (e.g., Pünktlichkeit ist eine Voraussetzung für unsere Zusammenarbeit. - Punctuality is a prerequisite for our cooperation.)
Typical phrases:
- eine Voraussetzung erfüllen/schaffen (to meet/create a prerequisite)
- unter der Voraussetzung, dass... (on the condition that...)
- die Voraussetzungen mitbringen für... (to have the prerequisites for...)
- von einer Voraussetzung ausgehen (to start from an assumption/premise)
🧠 Mnemonics for Voraussetzung
-
Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (*die*). Think of: *die* Bedingung (condition), *die* Anforderung (requirement), *die* Zulassung (admission) – and therefore also die Voraussetzung.
-
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you want to build a tower. Before you can build high (the *result*), you have to *voraus* (ahead, before) *setzen* (set) something – namely a foundation. The foundation is the Voraussetzung (prerequisite) for the tower.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Die Bedingung: Very similar, often interchangeable. Might emphasize a restriction slightly more.
- Das Erfordernis: Emphasizes necessity, often in a formal context (*requirement*).
- Die Anforderung: What is demanded or required (*requirement*, *demand*).
- Die Grundlage: More like the basis or foundation something is built upon.
- Die Prämisse: Used more in logic/argumentation (*premise*).
- Die Annahme: Something taken for granted or assumed (*assumption*).
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Die Folge: What results from something (*consequence*, *result*).
- Das Ergebnis: The outcome of an action or process (*result*, *outcome*).
- Die Konsequenz: A (often negative) consequence.
🚨 Caution: Don't confuse with die Voraussage (prediction) or die Vorstellung (idea, introduction, performance).
😂 A little Joke
Frage: Was ist die wichtigste Voraussetzung, um Millionär zu werden?
Question: What is the most important prerequisite (Voraussetzung) to become a millionaire?
Answer: Enough money!
📜 Poem about Voraussetzung
Willst du Großes einst vollbringen,
Musst erst kleine Hürden zwingen.
Jeder Schritt, gut hingesetzt,
Ist die Voraussetzung, die netzt
Den Boden für den künft'gen Plan,
So fängt Erfolg erst richtig an.
If you want to achieve great things one day,
You first must conquer small hurdles on the way.
Every step, well placed and set,
Is the prerequisite that wets
The ground for the future plan,
That's how success truly began.
🧩 Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Wunsch, doch oft begehrt,
Bevor man startet, unentbehrt.
Man muss mich schaffen oder bringen,
Damit die Pläne wohl gelingen.
Was bin ich?
Lösung: die Voraussetzung
I am not a wish, yet often desired,
Before one starts, indispensable, required.
You must create me or bring me along,
So that the plans may turn out strong.
What am I?
Solution: the prerequisite (die Voraussetzung)
🌐 Further Insights
Word Composition
The word "Voraussetzung" is composed of:
- voraus-: Prefix meaning 'beforehand', 'in advance'.
- setzen: Verb, here in the sense of 'to set', 'to posit', 'to assume'.
- -ung: Suffix used to form nouns from verbs, usually feminine.
So, it literally describes something that is 'set beforehand' or established in advance.
Philosophical Note
In philosophy and logic, *Voraussetzungen* (premises) are crucial for the validity of arguments. A flawed *Voraussetzung* often leads to an invalid conclusion.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Voraussetzung?
The word Voraussetzung is a feminine noun, so its article is always die. It means a necessary condition, requirement, prerequisite, or assumption that must be fulfilled before something else can happen. Remember: nouns ending in -ung are often feminine (die)!