die  Zuwendung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tsuˈvɛndʊŋ/

💖 What exactly is 'die Zuwendung'?

The German word die Zuwendung (feminine) primarily has two meanings:

1. Emotional Zuwendung: This describes the loving attention, care, or affection shown to a person (or animal). It's about emotional warmth and interest.

   Example: Ein Kind braucht viel Zuwendung von seinen Eltern. (A child needs a lot of affection/attention from its parents.)

2. Material/Financial Zuwendung: This refers to a gift, usually in the form of money or assets, often as a donation or support. This can be voluntary or part of a grant/funding.

   Example: Der Verein erhielt eine großzügige Zuwendung von einem Sponsor. (The association received a generous donation from a sponsor.)

🚨 It's important to consider the context to understand the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Zuwendung

The noun die Zuwendung is feminine. Like most feminine nouns ending in -ung, its plural form is created by adding -en.

📝 Example Sentences

• Emotional meaning: Die Katze genießt die Zuwendung ihrer Besitzerin. (The cat enjoys its owner's affection/attention.)
• Material meaning: Die Stiftung lebt von privaten Zuwendungen. (The foundation lives on private donations.)
• Genitive: Trotz mangelnder Zuwendung entwickelte sich das Projekt gut. (Despite a lack of funding/support, the project developed well. - Here more likely material)
• Dative: Mit dieser Zuwendung konnte die Miete bezahlt werden. (With this grant/donation, the rent could be paid.)

🗣️ How to Use "Zuwendung"?

The use of die Zuwendung strongly depends on the context:

• In the emotional sense: Often used in relation to children, pets, partners, or people needing care. It describes an active, positive form of attention and care. Closely related to Zuneigung (affection), but Zuwendung often emphasizes the act of caring more.
• In the financial/material sense: Common in the context of donations, sponsoring, inheritances, or government grants (e.g., Forschungszuwendungen - research grants). It's a more formal term than Geschenk (gift) or Spende (donation), especially in official or business contexts.

Distinction from similar words:

• Zuneigung: Focuses more on the feeling (affection), less on the action.
• Aufmerksamkeit: More neutral (attention), can also be negative (e.g., unwanted attention). Zuwendung is always meant positively.
• Spende: Usually voluntary and for a charitable purpose (donation). A Zuwendung can also be contractually regulated.
• Geschenk: More common in a private setting, less formal (gift, present).

⚠️ Don't confuse 'Zuwendung' with 'Anwendung' (use, application) or 'Verwendung' (usage, purpose).

🧠 Mnemonics for Zuwendung

Article Mnemonic: Feminine nouns in German often end in -ung, like die Meinung (opinion), die Hoffnung (hope). Think of the ending -ung needing the article die, just like die Zuwendung. Imagine a caring mother (feminine!) giving her child Zuwendung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the components: "zu" (towards) + "wenden" (to turn). You can 'turn towards' someone emotionally (giving affection/attention) or materially (giving funds/donations). So, Zuwendung is the act or result of 'turning towards' someone or something supportively.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words: Zuwendung

🚨 Potential for Confusion

• Abwendung: The opposite – turning away from someone or something.
• Verwendung: The use or purpose of something.
• Aufwendung: Costs or effort invested (often plural: Aufwendungen - expenses, expenditures).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Finanzbeamte den Spender: "War das eine anonyme Zuwendung?"
Antwortet der Spender: "Ja, ich möchte auf keinen Fall, dass meine Frau davon erfährt!"

Translation:
The tax officer asks the donor: "Was that an anonymous donation (Zuwendung)?"
The donor replies: "Yes, I definitely don't want my wife to find out about it!"

📜 A Poem about Zuwendung

Ein Lächeln, warm und rein,
ein offnes Ohr, ein Dasein.
Ob Trost in stiller Stund',
ob Geld für einen guten Grund.
Die Zuwendung, sanft und klar,
macht Herzen froh, ist wunderbar.

Translation:
A smile, warm and pure,
an open ear, just being there.
Whether comfort in a quiet hour,
or money for a good cause's power.
Affection/Donation (Die Zuwendung), gentle and clear,
makes hearts happy, is wonderful, dear.

❓ Riddle

Ich kann warm und herzlich sein,
oder fließen als Schein.
Man gibt mich gern, man braucht mich sehr,
ohne mich ist's oft leer.
Mal bin ich Gefühl, mal bin ich Geld,
was bin ich wohl in dieser Welt?

Lösung: die Zuwendung

Translation:
I can be warm and heartfelt,
or flow as banknotes (Schein = banknote/bill).
People like to give me, people need me much,
without me, things are often empty to the touch.
Sometimes I'm feeling, sometimes I'm money's art,
what am I in this world, playing my part?

Solution: die Zuwendung (attention/affection/donation)

🧩 Further Information

Word Composition:

The word Zuwendung is composed of:

• The preposition/prefix zu- (towards)
• The verb wenden (to turn, to direct)
• The suffix -ung (creates nouns from verbs, usually feminine)

So, it literally describes the action or result of turning towards someone or something, either emotionally or materially.