die  Zustimmung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtsuːʃtɪmʊŋ/

🤝 What does "die Zustimmung" mean?

Die Zustimmung is a feminine noun meaning agreement, approval, or consent. It expresses that someone agrees with a suggestion, action, opinion, or request.

• Agreement/Consent: The most basic meaning, used in both formal and informal contexts. Example: Er gab seine Zustimmung zum Plan. (He gave his agreement to the plan.)
• Approval/Permission: Often used in official or business contexts when formal permission is granted. Example: Die Zustimmung der Behörde steht noch aus. (The authority's approval is still pending.)
• Acclaim/Approbation: Can also mean positive reception or recognition by a group (less common as a noun, more common is the verb 'zustimmen'). Example: Seine Rede fand allgemeine Zustimmung. (His speech met with general approval.)

🚨 It's purely an abstract noun and has no physical form.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "Zustimmung" in Detail

"Zustimmung" is a feminine noun. The plural ("die Zustimmungen") is rarely used because Zustimmung is often treated as an uncountable concept. However, it can be used when referring to specific acts of agreement.

Example Sentences

1. Ich benötige Ihre schriftliche Zustimmung.
   I need your written consent.
2. Ohne Zustimmung der Eltern darf er nicht mitfahren.
   Without the parents' permission, he is not allowed to come along.
3. Die Pläne fanden breite Zustimmung in der Bevölkerung.
   The plans found broad approval among the population.
4. Er nickte zur Zustimmung.
   He nodded in agreement.
5. Es gab mehrere Zustimmungen zu dem Antrag (selten).
   There were several approvals for the application (rare).

🗣️ How to use "Zustimmung"

"Zustimmung" is used in many different contexts, from everyday conversations to formal legal or business agreements.

• Formal: In contracts, applications, political debates (e.g., die Zustimmung des Parlaments - the parliament's approval). Here, it often implies explicit, sometimes written, consent.
• Informal: In daily life to express agreement (e.g., Ich brauche deine Zustimmung, bevor ich das Foto poste - I need your approval before I post the photo). Can also be non-verbal, like nodding.
• Typical verbs: geben (to give), erteilen (to grant), bekommen (to get), erhalten (to receive), finden (to find/meet with), benötigen (to need), verweigern (to refuse).
• Typical prepositions: zu (Zustimmung zu etwas - approval of/to something), von (Zustimmung von jemandem - approval from someone).

Distinction from similar words:

• Einverständnis: Very similar, often interchangeable. "Einverständnis" might emphasize mutual understanding slightly more.
• Genehmigung: Focuses more strongly on formal permission, often from an authority.
• Akzeptanz: Means acceptance or tolerance, not necessarily enthusiastic agreement.

🧠 Mnemonics for Zustimmung

Article Mnemonic: Think of other German words ending in '-ung' like die Meinung (opinion), die Bewertung (evaluation) – they are almost always feminine. So it's die Zustimmung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone saying "Zoo-Stim-ung" - you need approval (Zustimmung) to bring your stimulating pet monkey to the zoo!

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similarly Sounding Words:

• Stimmung: Means mood, atmosphere, or tuning (music). Shares the same root but has a different meaning. Don't confuse approval (Zustimmung) with mood (Stimmung).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seine Mitarbeiter: "Wer ist für meinen neuen Vorschlag?"
Alle heben die Hand.
Fragt der Chef: "Und wer ist dagegen?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Ich!"
Chef: "Warum das denn?"
Fritzchen: "Weil ich Ihre einstimmige Zustimmung langweilig finde!"

--- Translation ---

The boss asks his employees: "Who is in favour of my new proposal?"
Everyone raises their hand.
The boss asks: "And who is against it?"
Little Fritz pipes up: "Me!"
Boss: "Why's that?"
Fritz: "Because I find your unanimous approval (Zustimmung) boring!"

📜 Poem about Zustimmung

Ein Nicken, ein Ja, ein klarer Blick,
die Zustimmung kommt, Stück für Stück.
Ob Plan, ob Wunsch, ob leise Bitt',
sie öffnet Türen, Schritt für Schritt.
Mal laut gesagt, mal still gedacht,
hat sie schon oft viel Gutes gebracht.

--- Translation ---

A nod, a yes, a clear gaze,
the approval comes, in small ways.
Be it plan, or wish, or quiet plea,
it opens doors, for you and me.
Sometimes spoken, sometimes thought unseen,
it has often brought much good, serene.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin kein Nein, doch auch kein Zwang,
ich ebne Wege, kurz und lang.
Man gibt mich oft, manchmal erhofft,
ohne mich geht's selten flott.
Ich bin das Gegenteil von Streit,
und mache Herzen weit.

Was bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I am not 'no', but also not force,
I smooth the paths, along their course.
I'm often given, sometimes hoped for bright,
without me, things rarely take flight.
I am the opposite of strife,
and bring broadness into life.

What am I?

Solution: die Zustimmung (approval/consent)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

"Zustimmung" is a compound noun:

• zu-: A preposition/prefix indicating direction towards or agreement with (similar to 'listen to' - 'zuhören' or 'agree' - 'zustimmen').
• Stimmung: Derived from the verb 'stimmen'. Originally, 'stimmen' referred to the agreement of tones (in music - 'tuning'), but was then transferred to opinions and views. A 'Stimmung' is therefore an attitude or opinion, and 'Zustimmung' is the sharing of this attitude or opinion in a positive sense.

Interestingly, 'Stimmung' alone can also mean 'mood' or 'atmosphere', showing how word meanings can evolve.