die  Zuteilung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtsuːtaɪlʊŋ/

🎯 What does 'die Zuteilung' mean?

Die Zuteilung is a feminine German noun (plural: die Zuteilungen). It refers to the act or result of allocating, assigning, or apportioning something (like resources, tasks, funds, places, frequencies) to specific people, groups, or purposes according to a set plan, key, or criterion. It's about deciding who gets what and how much.

The word derives directly from the verb zuteilen (to allocate, to assign, to deal out).

Common contexts include:

• Resource allocation (Ressourcenzuteilung): Distributing money, materials, staff, etc., within companies or organizations.
• Task assignment (Aufgabenzuteilung): Deciding who is responsible for which activity.
• Frequency allocation (Frequenzzuteilung): The assignment of radio frequencies by authorities.
• Quota allocation (Kontingentzuteilung): Defining and distributing limited quantities (e.g., university places, import quotas).
• Rationing (Rationierung): Allocating scarce goods during emergencies (e.g., food stamps).

🚨 Remember: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). This makes die Zuteilung easy to remember!

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Zuteilung' in Detail

"Zuteilung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Like most nouns ending in -ung, its plural is formed by adding -en.

✍️ Example Sentences

1. Die Zuteilung der Hilfsgelder erfolgte nach Bedürftigkeit.
   (The allocation of the aid funds was based on need.)
2. Der Projektleiter ist für die Zuteilung der Aufgaben zuständig.
   (The project manager is responsible for the assignment of tasks.)
3. Die genaue Zuteilung der Frequenzen ist streng geregelt.
   (The precise allocation of frequencies is strictly regulated.)
4. Nach der Prüfung erhielten die Studenten die Zuteilung ihrer Praktikumsplätze.
   (After the exam, the students received the allocation of their internship positions.)
5. In der Nachkriegszeit gab es eine strikte Zuteilung von Lebensmitteln.
   (In the post-war period, there was strict rationing of food.)

💡 How to use 'Zuteilung'?

"Zuteilung" is often used in formal, administrative, or economic contexts. It implies a planned, often rule-based distribution of something that is not available limitlessly or needs to be specifically managed.

• Administration & Authorities: Zuteilung von Sozialleistungen (allocation of social benefits), Genehmigungen (permits), Frequenzen (frequencies).
• Business & Management: Budgetzuteilung (budget allocation), Ressourcenzuteilung (resource allocation), Aufgabenzuteilung (task assignment).
• Education: Zuteilung von Studienplätzen (allocation of university places) or Kursen (courses).
• Logistics & Planning: Zuteilung von Lagerplätzen (allocation of storage spaces), Transportkapazitäten (transport capacities).

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Verteilung: Often more general, can also mean a less controlled spread (e.g., die Verteilung von Regen - the distribution of rain). Often synonymous when talking about goods, but 'Zuteilung' emphasizes the act of specific assignment to recipients.
• Zuordnung: Emphasizes creating a link or pair (e.g., die Zuordnung eines Mitarbeiters zu einem Projekt - assigning an employee to a project).
• Vergabe: Similar to Zuteilung, often used for contracts, licenses, or awards (e.g., Auftragsvergabe - awarding of a contract).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Zuteilung'

For the article 'die': Remember the -ung ending! Like Warnung (warning), Rechnung (bill), Meinung (opinion) – almost all nouns ending in -ung are feminine. So, it's die Zuteilung.

For the meaning: Think of 'Zuteilung' as giving a 'teil' (part) 'zu' (to) someone. You are 'dealing' a part 'to' them – an allocation or assignment. ZU-TEIL-ung = Allocation.

↔️ Antonyms & Synonyms for Zuteilung

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Verteilung: (Distribution) Can be broader, less targeted (see above).
• Zuordnung: (Assignment, matching) Emphasizes pairing/linking (see above).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie schon eine Aufgabe zugeteilt bekommen?"
Sagt der Mitarbeiter: "Ja, das Warten auf die Zuteilung!"

(Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Have you been assigned a task yet?"
The employee replies: "Yes, waiting for the assignment!")

✍️ Poem about Allocation

Die Zuteilung, ein Akt der Macht,
hat Ressourcen klug bedacht.
Wer kriegt wie viel, wer kriegt es wann?
So fängt oft die Planung an.

Ob Geld, ob Platz, ob knappe Zeit,
es braucht stets Gerechtigkeit.
Die Zuteilung, streng und klar,
macht Mangelware verfügbar.

(Translation:

The allocation, an act of might,
considers resources, day and night.
Who gets how much, who gets it when?
That's how planning starts again.

Be it money, space, or precious time,
it always needs a just paradigm.
The allocation, strict and clear,
makes scarcity less severe.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich teile aus, doch bin kein Spender,
regel den Fluss für viele Länder.
Ob Frequenzen, Geld, ob Quoten knapp,
ich halt den Plan auf Trab.

Bin oft Bürokatie pur,
folgend einer festen Spur.
Was bin ich, feminin und schlau,
mit Endung -ung, ganz genau?

(Translation:

I deal things out, but give no gifts,
manage the flow through bureaucratic shifts.
Be it frequencies, funds, or quotas tight,
I keep the plan working right.

I'm often pure bureaucracy,
following rules meticulously.
What am I, feminine and smart,
with an -ung ending right from the start?

... die Zuteilung / allocation)

✨ Further Insights

Word Formation:

The word "Zuteilung" is a Nomen Actionis (a noun describing an action) derived from the verb zuteilen (to allocate, assign). The structure is:

• Prefix zu-: Expresses direction, addition, or purpose ('to').
• Stem teil(en): Means 'to divide', 'to share', 'to give'.
• Suffix -ung: Turns the verb into a feminine noun denoting the process or result.

International Usage: The term "Allokation" (from Latin) is often used as a synonym in technical contexts (economics, IT) and corresponds directly to the English "allocation". "Zuteilung" is the more common German term in general and administrative language.