die
Würdigung
📜 What exactly is a Würdigung?
Die Würdigung (feminine, article: die) refers to the appreciation, recognition, or acknowledgement of a person, an achievement, a work, or a thing. It's an expression of respect and esteem. Essentially, it's about highlighting the value or significance of something or someone.
There are no different meanings based on different articles, as 'Würdigung' is always feminine.
⚠️ Be careful not to confuse 'Würdigung' with 'Bewertung' (evaluation, assessment). While a Bewertung can also be negative, a Würdigung always has a positive connotation.
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: Die Würdigung in Detail
'Würdigung' is a feminine noun. It uses the article 'die'. Like most feminine nouns ending in '-ung', it is feminine.
Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Würdigung |
| Genitive | der | Würdigung |
| Dative | der | Würdigung |
| Accusative | die | Würdigung |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Würdigungen |
| Genitive | der | Würdigungen |
| Dative | den | Würdigungen |
| Accusative | die | Würdigungen |
Example Sentences for Würdigung
- Die Laudatio war eine ausführliche Würdigung seines Lebenswerks.
(The eulogy/speech was a detailed appreciation of his life's work.) - Ihre Arbeit fand endlich die verdiente Würdigung.
(Her work finally received the recognition it deserved.) - Zur Verabschiedung erhielt er eine besondere Würdigung durch den Vorstand.
(For his farewell, he received special recognition from the board.) - Die Ausstellung ist eine Würdigung der Künstlerin.
(The exhibition is a tribute to the artist.)
💬 When to use 'Würdigung'?
'Würdigung' is often used in formal or official contexts, but can also appear in personal settings:
- Official Occasions: At award ceremonies, anniversaries, farewells, or memorial services, often in the form of a speech (Laudatio) or written acknowledgement.
- Professional Context: Recognition of achievements or long service.
- Artistic/Cultural Sphere: Reviews, critiques (in a positive sense), or exhibitions honouring an artist's work.
- Personal Sphere: Expressing gratitude and appreciation towards a person for their help, friendship, or character.
Compared to 'Anerkennung' (recognition) or 'Lob' (praise), 'Würdigung' often implies a deeper, more comprehensive, and sometimes more formal form of appreciation. It emphasizes the Wert (value, worth) of what is being appreciated (from the adjective 'würdig' - worthy).
🧠 Mnemonics for Würdigung
Article Mnemonic: Words ending in "-ung" in German are almost always feminine, so it's "die". Think: The ending "-ung" sings a song for "die". Die Würdigung!
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English word "worthy". A Würdigung is given to someone or something considered worthy – worthy of recognition, praise, respect. Worthy -> Würdig -> Würdigung.
↔️ Opposites and Alternatives
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Anerkennung: Recognition, acknowledgement (emphasizes acceptance and confirmation).
- Wertschätzung: Appreciation, esteem (focuses on inner value or significance).
- Lob: Praise (usually verbal expression of satisfaction or approval).
- Ehrung: Honour, tribute (often a formal act to express respect or admiration, e.g., Ehrung eines Helden - honouring a hero).
- Respektbekundung: Expression of respect.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Missachtung: Disregard, disrespect.
- Geringschätzung: Disdain, low esteem, lack of respect.
- Kritik (negativ): Criticism (negative).
- Herabwürdigung: Denigration, degradation (active belittling).
- Ignoranz: Ignorance, disregard.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Duden eine eigene Würdigung bekommen?
(Why did the Duden dictionary receive its own appreciation/tribute?)
Weil er immer die richtigen Worte fand!
(Because it always found the right words!)
✍️ Poem about Würdigung
Ein Wort, das Dank und Achtung trägt,
Die Würdigung, die leise wägt.
Was wertvoll ist, was Sinn uns gibt,
Wird durch sie anerkannt, geliebt.
Ein Lächeln, Nicken, warmer Ton,
Ist oft der schönste, wahre Lohn.
A word that carries thanks and esteem,
Die Würdigung, that quietly weighs the theme.
What's valuable, gives meaning true,
Is recognized through it, loved anew.
A smile, a nod, a tone so warm,
Is often the best reward, safe from harm.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Preis, doch ehre sehr.
Ich zeige Wert, mal leicht, mal schwer.
Man spricht mich aus, man schreibt mich nieder,
Ich bin die Schwester von Lobeslieder.
Was bin ich?
(I am no prize, yet honour greatly.
I show value, sometimes lightly, sometimes stately.
I am spoken, I am written down,
I am the sister of songs of renown (praises).
What am I?)
(Solution: die Würdigung)
ℹ️ Further Insights
Word Formation:
'Würdigung' is a noun derived from the adjective 'würdig' (worthy) by adding the suffix '-ung'. This suffix is commonly used to form nouns from verbs or adjectives in German, often denoting a process or its result.
Related Words:
- würdigen (verb): to appreciate, acknowledge, honour someone or something.
- würdig (adjective): worthy, deserving, dignified, appropriate for something.
- menschenwürdig (adjective): humane, worthy of a human being.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Würdigung?
The word 'Würdigung' is always feminine. The correct article is die. There is only one form: die Würdigung (plural: die Würdigungen).