die
Ziehung
🎯 What exactly does "die Ziehung" mean?
Die Ziehung is a feminine noun and generally describes the process of drawing or selecting. The most common meanings are:
- Lottery draw / Raffle: This is the best-known meaning. Here, numbers, lots, or names are drawn randomly to determine winners. 🎰 Example: die Ziehung der Lottozahlen (the drawing of the lottery numbers).
- Selection process: In a broader sense, a Ziehung can also be a procedure where something or someone is selected, often randomly or according to specific criteria. Example: die Ziehung der Teilnehmer für die Studie (the drawing/selection of participants for the study).
- Extraction / Taking a sample (rarer, technical): In technical or chemical contexts, it can also mean taking a sample or extracting a substance. Example: die Ziehung einer Probe aus dem Gemisch (taking a sample from the mixture).
🚨 Pay attention to the context to understand the precise meaning.
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 of "die Ziehung" in Detail
"Die Ziehung" is a feminine noun. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die) in German. This is a very reliable rule!
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ziehung |
| Genitive | der | Ziehung |
| Dative | der | Ziehung |
| Accusative | die | Ziehung |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ziehungen |
| Genitive | der | Ziehungen |
| Dative | den | Ziehungen |
| Accusative | die | Ziehungen |
💡 Example Sentences
- Die nächste Ziehung der Lottozahlen findet am Samstag statt.
(The next drawing of the lottery numbers takes place on Saturday.) - Die Ziehung des Hauptgewinners erfolgte unter notarieller Aufsicht.
(The drawing of the main prize winner took place under notarial supervision.) - Mehrere Ziehungen waren nötig, um alle Preise zu vergeben.
(Several drawings were necessary to award all prizes.) - Die Ziehung der Probe muss sehr sorgfältig erfolgen.
(Taking the sample must be done very carefully.)
🗣️ How to use "die Ziehung"?
"Die Ziehung" is primarily used in the context of lotteries, raffles, and selection processes.
- Everyday life: When talking about the lottery (Lotto), tombolas, or prize draws, "die Ziehung" is the standard word for the moment of decision (e.g., "Ich habe die Ziehung im Fernsehen verfolgt." - "I watched the draw on TV.").
- Formal context: It's also used in official or formal situations, like selecting jurors or assigning places by lot (e.g., "Die Ziehung der Startnummern beginnt um 10 Uhr." - "The drawing of the start numbers begins at 10 am.").
- Distinction from "Zug": While the verb "ziehen" can also mean to pull or to move (leading to "der Zug" - the train, the pull, the draft), "die Ziehung" specifically refers to the act of selecting or drawing lots.
- Verbs: Often combined with verbs like stattfinden (to take place), erfolgen (to occur), durchführen (to conduct), verfolgen (to follow/watch), teilnehmen an (to participate in) (e.g., "An der Ziehung teilnehmen" - "To participate in the draw").
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Ziehung"
Article Mnemonic: Remember that nouns ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine (die) in German! Think of: die Rechnung (the bill), die Lösung (the solution), die Meinung (the opinion)... and therefore, die Ziehung. It's a strong pattern! ♀️
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the tension (die Spannung!) as you draw a lottery ticket. This act of drawing (the verb is ziehen) leads to... die Ziehung (the draw) of the winning numbers! 🎟️➡️🏆
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
Antonyms (Opposites - often indirect)
- Platzierung: Placing something specifically (instead of drawing randomly).
- Hinzufügung: Adding something (instead of taking/selecting).
- Einzahlung: Paying in money (instead of drawing a prize).
⚠️ Similar, but different words
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Lottoschein schlechte Laune?
Weil er Angst vor der nächsten Ziehung hat – er könnte ja gezogen werden!
(Why is the lottery ticket in a bad mood?
Because it's afraid of the next draw – it might get drawn!)
📜 Poem about the Ziehung
Die Kugel rollt, die Spannung steigt,
Ein Zettel wird nun angezeigt.
Wer hat gewonnen, wer hat Glück?
Die Ziehung bringt das Los zurück.
Ein Jubelschrei, ein leises Hoffen,
Die Zahlen sind nun ganz getroffen.
Millionentraum, ganz nah und klar,
Dank dieser einen Ziehung wunderbar.
(The ball rolls, the tension rises,
A slip of paper now comprises.
Who has won, who has the luck?
The drawing brings the lottery ticket back.
A cheer, a quiet hope so keen,
The numbers match, a lucky scene.
A million dream, so close and clear,
Thanks to this wonderful drawing here.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich bringe Glück, mal groß, mal klein,
durch Kugeln, Lose, kann es sein.
Man wartet auf mich Woche für Woche,
mit Hoffnung, dass das Glück aufpoche.
Was bin ich?
(I bring luck, sometimes big, sometimes small,
Through balls or lots, it can befall.
People await me week by week,
Hoping that fortune they will seek.
What am I?)
(... die Ziehung / the draw)
🌐 Other Information
Word Formation:
The word "Ziehung" is a noun derived from the verb "ziehen". The suffix "-ung" is used to form nouns from verbs, typically describing the process or result of the action.
- ziehen (verb: to pull, to draw) + -ung (noun-forming suffix) = die Ziehung (noun: the draw, the drawing)
This is a very common pattern in German word formation, and as mentioned, '-ung' nouns are almost always feminine (die).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ziehung?
The word 'Ziehung' is feminine. The correct article is die Ziehung. The plural is die Ziehungen.