die  Zuwiderhandlung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/tsuˈviːdɐˌhandlʊŋ/

📜 What does 'die Zuwiderhandlung' mean?

Die Zuwiderhandlung (feminine, plural: die Zuwiderhandlungen) means an infringement, violation, or contravention. It refers to an action that goes against an existing rule, regulation, law, or order. It's a rather formal term, often used in legal or administrative contexts (im juristischen oder behördlichen Kontext).

Essentially, it's a violation or transgression. If someone does something they shouldn't (according to a rule), that action is a Zuwiderhandlung.

⚠️ It's important to note that a Zuwiderhandlung is often associated with consequences such as penalties (Strafen), fines (Bußgelder), or other sanctions (Sanktionen).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Zuwiderhandlung

The word 'Zuwiderhandlung' is a feminine noun. The article is 'die'. Like most feminine nouns ending in '-ung', it's feminine.

Declension (Deklination)

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Jede Zuwiderhandlung gegen die Hausordnung wird geahndet.
   (Every violation against the house rules will be punished.)
2. Dem Fahrer wurde eine Zuwiderhandlung gegen die Straßenverkehrsordnung vorgeworfen.
   (The driver was accused of a violation against the traffic regulations.)
3. Bei wiederholten Zuwiderhandlungen kann ein Bußgeld verhängt werden.
   (In case of repeated violations, a fine can be imposed.)

✍️ How to use Zuwiderhandlung?

The term 'Zuwiderhandlung' belongs more to elevated or formal language (gehobene oder formelle Sprache), especially in official and legal German (Amts- und Rechtsdeutsch).

• Context: Mostly used in connection with laws (Gesetze), regulations (Verordnungen), rules (Regeln), contracts (Verträge), or instructions (Anweisungen).
• Typical Phrases:
  • eine Zuwiderhandlung begehen (to commit an infringement/violation)
  • Zuwiderhandlung gegen etwas (violation against something, e.g., against the law, against the rules)
  • Bei Zuwiderhandlung droht... (In case of violation, there is a threat of..., e.g., a penalty, a fine)
  • Ahndung von Zuwiderhandlungen (Punishment/prosecution of violations)
• Distinction:
  • Verstoß: Often used synonymously, but can be slightly more general.
  • Ordnungswidrigkeit: A specific legal term for a minor infringement (administrative offence) punishable by a fine.
  • Straftat: A more serious violation against the criminal code (criminal offense).

In everyday conversation (im Alltag), one would more likely use 'Regelbruch' (breaking the rules), 'Verstoß', or simply say someone 'did something wrong'.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article 'die': Remember the ending '-ung'. Many nouns ending in '-ung' are feminine in German: die Handlung (action), die Ordnung (order), die Bestimmung (regulation)... and therefore also die Zuwiderhandlung.

Meaning: Break down the word: 'zuwider' means 'against' or 'contrary to', 'Handlung' means 'action' or 'act'. So, a Zuwiderhandlung is literally an 'action against' (a rule). Someone acts zuwider (contrary to) a rule.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words

Similar, but different words

• Widerhandlung: Less common than Zuwiderhandlung, often synonymous, but 'Zuwiderhandlung' is preferred.
• Widerstand: (Resistance) Actively opposing something, not necessarily a rule violation in the sense of Zuwiderhandlung.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Bekennen Sie sich der Zuwiderhandlung schuldig, nachts bei Rot über die Ampel gefahren zu sein?"
Sagt der Angeklagte: "Wie soll ich das wissen, Herr Richter? Bei der Dunkelheit konnte ich doch gar nicht sehen, ob die Ampel rot war!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Do you plead guilty to the violation of driving through a red light at night?"
The defendant replies: "How should I know, Your Honor? It was so dark, I couldn't even see if the light was red!"

📜 A Little Poem

Die Regel war klar, an der Wand,
Doch ignoriert mit flotter Hand.
Die Folge kam, das war nicht klug,
Die Zuwiderhandlung zog Nachzug.
Ein Brief vom Amt, ein Bußgeldbescheid,
So lernt man's oft durch bitteres Leid.

Translation:
The rule was clear, upon the wall,
But ignored with a swift hand's call.
The consequence came, it wasn't smart,
The violation played its part.
A letter from the office, a penalty notice's bite,
That's how one often learns through bitter plight.

🤔 A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Tun, das man nicht soll,
Bring' Regeln oft zu Fall.
Im Gesetzbuch steh' ich drin,
Bin meist kein großer Gewinn.
Wer gegen Vorschriften strebt,
Hat mich oft schon erlebt.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am an action one shouldn't do,
I often make rules fall through.
In the law book, I reside,
Usually not a profitable stride.
Who strives against regulations' might,
Has often experienced my sight.

What am I?

Solution: die Zuwiderhandlung (the violation/infringement)

🧩 Other Information about Zuwiderhandlung

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung)

The word 'Zuwiderhandlung' is a compound noun:

• zuwider: An adverb/preposition meaning 'against', 'contrary to'.
• Handlung: The noun form of the verb 'handeln' (to act), meaning 'action', 'act', or 'deed'.

It's the nominalization of the verb zuwiderhandeln (to act against, to contravene, to infringe).

Context

The term is typical for German official and legal language (Amts- und Rechtssprache) and emphasizes the importance of rules and order (Regeln und Ordnung) in society.