B2 Collocation Formal 4 min de lectura

Auskünfte erteilen

To provide information

Literalmente: {"Ausk\u00fcnfte":"Information (plural, genitive case)","erteilen":"to grant, to give, to issue"}

En 15 segundos

  • Official way to provide information.
  • Used in formal and bureaucratic settings.
  • Sounds precise and authoritative.
  • Avoid in casual chats with friends.

Significado

Esta frase es la forma oficial, casi burocrática, de decir que estás dando información a alguien. Piénselo como el canal "adecuado" para dispensar conocimiento, a menudo utilizado en entornos formales como servicio al cliente u oficinas gubernamentales. Transmite una atmósfera de oficialidad y precisión, como un bibliotecario que te guía cuidadosamente al libro correcto.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 10
1

At a government information desk

Der Beamte versicherte, dass er uns detaillierte Auskünfte erteilen könne.

The official assured us that he could provide us with detailed information.

2

Customer service hotline

Unsere Mitarbeiter sind geschult, Ihnen präzise Auskünfte zu erteilen.

Our employees are trained to provide you with precise information.

3

Job interview

Ich bin bereit, Ihnen jederzeit Auskünfte über meine Qualifikationen zu erteilen.

I am ready to provide you with information about my qualifications at any time.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The phrase `Auskünfte erteilen` likely emerged from the need for clear, official channels of communication within growing bureaucracies and government structures in German-speaking countries. Its existence reflects a cultural value placed on precision, formal procedures, and the clear delineation of responsibilities, especially when dispensing official data or guidance. It signifies a structured approach to information dissemination, common in a society that often prioritizes clarity and correctness in official interactions.

🎯

The 'Ernst' Factor

Think of `erteilen` as 'granting' or 'issuing' something important. It's not casual. Imagine a serious official saying it – that's the vibe!

⚠️

Don't Sound Like a Robot!

Using `Auskünfte erteilen` with friends is a classic mistake. It makes you sound like a malfunctioning chatbot. Stick to `sagen` or `erzählen` for pals.

En 15 segundos

  • Official way to provide information.
  • Used in formal and bureaucratic settings.
  • Sounds precise and authoritative.
  • Avoid in casual chats with friends.

What It Means

This phrase, Auskünfte erteilen, is your go-to for sounding official when you're providing information. It's not just geben (to give); it’s a more formal, structured way of passing along data or guidance. It implies a certain level of authority or responsibility. Think of it as the verbal equivalent of handing over a stamped document. It’s what you’d expect to hear from an expert or an official source, not your buddy at the pub. It’s the sound of bureaucracy, but in a helpful, not annoying, way!

How To Use It

Use Auskünfte erteilen when the context is formal or official. This means job interviews, customer service desks, government agencies, or even a company website's FAQ section. It’s about providing data that someone has specifically requested or that is part of your official duty. You’re not just chatting; you’re performing a specific, informational task. It’s like putting on your professional hat before you speak.

Real-Life Examples

Imagine you're at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office). The clerk behind the counter might say, "Wir können Ihnen hierzu keine Auskünfte erteilen." (We cannot provide you with information on this.) Or maybe you call a company's hotline, and the representative assures you, "Selbstverständlich erteilen wir Ihnen gerne Auskünfte zu unseren Tarifen." (Of course, we are happy to provide you with information about our rates.) It’s the language of officialdom, but it gets the job done.

When To Use It

Use it when you are in a professional setting. This includes customer service roles, administrative positions, or any situation where you represent an organization. It's perfect for official announcements, public service announcements, or when explaining complex procedures. If you're a librarian helping someone find a specific journal, this phrase fits. It's also great when you want to sound extra thorough and precise.

When NOT To Use It

Leave Auskünfte erteilen at home when you're texting your friends. Don't use it when ordering coffee or asking your neighbor for the time. It sounds way too stiff and out of place in casual conversations. Imagine telling your friend, "Ich werde dir gleich Auskünfte über mein neues Haustier erteilen." They'd probably think you're joining a secret society! Stick to simpler verbs like sagen or erzählen for everyday chats.

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use it in casual settings, making them sound like robots. Another mistake is using geben instead of erteilen, which is less formal. Or they might use Auskunft (singular) when the plural Auskünfte is more common in this collocation. The biggest faux pas? Using it with friends!

Ich gebe dir Auskünfte über den Film. Ich erzähle dir von dem Film.

✗ Ich erteile dir ein paar Informationen.

→ ✓ Ich gebe dir ein paar Informationen.

Similar Expressions

  • Informationen geben: This is the most common and neutral alternative. It's less formal than Auskünfte erteilen but still perfectly acceptable in many professional contexts. It's like the friendly but competent colleague.
  • mitteilen: This means 'to inform' or 'to communicate.' It's often used for conveying specific news or messages. Think of it as announcing something important.
  • berichten: This means 'to report.' It's used when you're giving an account of events or findings, often in a more detailed or investigative way. Like a news reporter, but maybe less dramatic.

Common Variations

Sometimes you'll see Auskunft geben (singular Auskunft). While Auskünfte erteilen is the classic official collocation, Auskunft geben is also quite common and slightly less formal. You might also hear people say they are für Auskünfte zuständig (responsible for information). It’s like being the designated info-person.

Memory Trick

💡

Picture a stern-looking German official, perhaps a customs officer named 'Ernst', wearing a crisp uniform. He's meticulously erteilen (granting/issuing) official Auskünfte (information) from a thick, stamped ledger. He doesn't just *give* info; he *issues* it. Ernst Erteilen: the guardian of official German information!

Quick FAQ

  • Can I use Auskünfte erteilen with friends? Definitely not! It’s like wearing a tuxedo to a barbecue – a bit much.
  • Is Informationen geben okay instead? Yes, Informationen geben is a great, more neutral alternative for many situations.
  • Does it always sound super formal? Yes, Auskünfte erteilen carries a strong sense of officiality. If you want to sound less formal, choose another phrase.

Notas de uso

This is a highly formal phrase, best reserved for official communications, bureaucratic settings, or customer service interactions where precision and authority are key. Using it in casual conversation will sound unnaturally stiff. The collocation almost always uses the plural `Auskünfte`.

🎯

The 'Ernst' Factor

Think of `erteilen` as 'granting' or 'issuing' something important. It's not casual. Imagine a serious official saying it – that's the vibe!

⚠️

Don't Sound Like a Robot!

Using `Auskünfte erteilen` with friends is a classic mistake. It makes you sound like a malfunctioning chatbot. Stick to `sagen` or `erzählen` for pals.

💬

Bureaucracy's Best Friend

This phrase is deeply embedded in German administrative culture. It reflects a societal value placed on clear, official, and precise information dissemination, especially from institutions.

💡

Plural is Key

While `Auskunft` (singular) exists, the collocation `Auskünfte erteilen` almost always uses the plural. It implies a set of information, not just a single piece.

Ejemplos

10
#1 At a government information desk

Der Beamte versicherte, dass er uns detaillierte Auskünfte erteilen könne.

The official assured us that he could provide us with detailed information.

Here, `erteilen` emphasizes the official capacity of the person giving information.

#2 Customer service hotline

Unsere Mitarbeiter sind geschult, Ihnen präzise Auskünfte zu erteilen.

Our employees are trained to provide you with precise information.

This highlights the professional training and accuracy associated with the phrase.

#3 Job interview

Ich bin bereit, Ihnen jederzeit Auskünfte über meine Qualifikationen zu erteilen.

I am ready to provide you with information about my qualifications at any time.

Using this phrase in an interview shows you understand professional communication.

#4 Instagram caption about a new service

Unser neues Support-Team wird Ihnen ab sofort umfassende Auskünfte erteilen! Fragen Sie uns alles! #Support #Info

Our new support team will provide you with comprehensive information from now on! Ask us anything! #Support #Info

Used here to announce an official information service in a slightly more modern context.

#5 Website FAQ section

Auf unserer Website können Sie jederzeit Auskünfte zu unseren Produkten erteilen lassen.

On our website, you can request information about our products at any time.

This implies a structured, accessible source of official product details.

Mistake: Texting a friend about a movie Error común

✗ Ich erteile dir Auskünfte über den neuen Marvel Film.

✗ I am providing you information about the new Marvel movie.

Too formal for a casual chat about a movie. Sounds like you're a movie critic issuing a report!

Mistake: Asking for directions casually Error común

✗ Entschuldigung, können Sie mir Auskünfte erteilen, wo der Bahnhof ist?

✗ Excuse me, can you provide me information where the train station is?

This is way too formal for asking simple directions. A simple 'Wo ist der Bahnhof?' or 'Können Sie mir helfen?' is better.

#8 Humorous comparison in a blog post

Mein Hund bellt nicht nur, er erteilt mir Auskünfte über jeden vorbeigehenden Eichhörnchen-Alarm!

My dog doesn't just bark, he provides me with information about every squirrel alarm that passes by!

A funny exaggeration, using the formal phrase for a dog's 'reports'.

#9 Emotional plea in a documentary context

Die Historikerin wünschte sich, sie könnte den Opfern Auskünfte erteilen, die ihnen Hoffnung geben.

The historian wished she could provide information to the victims that would give them hope.

Here, it conveys the weight of providing crucial, potentially life-changing information.

#10 Formal announcement at a conference

Wir werden Ihnen im Anschluss an die Präsentation weitere Auskünfte erteilen.

We will provide you with further information following the presentation.

Standard professional language for post-event follow-up.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

`Auskünfte erteilen` is the most formal and standard collocation for providing information in a professional context.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly.

Which sentence uses `Auskünfte erteilen` appropriately?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

Option B is correct because it's a formal context (police officer). Option A is too informal, C is too informal for asking directions, and D is too general and casual.

Find and fix the error in the sentence.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

While `geben` isn't strictly wrong, `erteilen` is the more formal and precise verb to use when a lawyer is providing official information to a client.

Complete the sentence with the most suitable phrase.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: C

In the context of a government authority ('Behörde') obligated to provide information upon request ('auf Anfrage'), `Auskünfte zu erteilen` is the most appropriate and formal choice.

Translate this sentence into German.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

This translation uses the formal collocation `erteilt Auskünfte` to match the official nature of the website and the information provided.

Find and fix the error in the sentence.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

`Auskünfte erteilen` is too formal and official for asking simple directions. More common verbs like `sagen` (to say) or `erklären` (to explain) are suitable here.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly.

Which sentence best fits a formal context?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

Option B is the most formal and appropriate, describing an agency providing official travel information. Options A and D are too informal, and C is slightly less formal than B.

Fill in the blank.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: A

In a library context, especially when referring to official guidance or research details, `Auskünfte` is a fitting word, often used with `erteilen` or `geben`.

Translate this sentence into German.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

This translation correctly uses the formal phrase `keine Auskünfte erteilen` to indicate the company's inability to share details about sensitive, ongoing investigations.

Find and fix the error in the sentence.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

While `gibt` is understandable, `erteilt` is the more formal and standard verb used in educational contexts when providing official information like exam details.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly.

Which sentence is most appropriate for a formal announcement?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

Option B is the most suitable for a formal announcement, describing a company providing official product information. The others are too informal or inappropriate.

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

In this context, a tour guide providing historical information acts in a semi-official capacity, making `erteilt Auskünfte` the most fitting and formal choice.

🎉 Puntuación: /12

Ayudas visuales

Formality Spectrum of Providing Information

Very Casual

Chatting with friends, sharing gossip.

Ich sag dir später mehr!

Casual

Everyday conversations, texting.

Ich erzähl dir von dem Film.

Neutral/Professional

Workplace communication, general inquiries.

Ich gebe Ihnen gerne Informationen.

Formal

Official settings, government, customer service.

Wir erteilen Ihnen Auskünfte.

Where You'll Hear 'Auskünfte erteilen'

Providing Information
🏛️

Government Office (Bürgeramt)

Der Beamte erteilte Auskünfte zur Anmeldung.

☎️

Customer Service Hotline

Der Mitarbeiter erteilte Auskünfte über Tarife.

🏢

Company Reception Desk

Die Dame am Empfang erteilte Auskünfte über Besuchszeiten.

⚖️

Legal Consultation

Der Anwalt erteilte Auskünfte zum Prozess.

🎓

University Administration

Die Verwaltung erteilte Auskünfte zum Studium.

🌐

Official Website FAQ

Die Website erteilt Auskünfte zu häufigen Fragen.

Choosing the Right Verb for 'To Inform'

Auskünfte erteilen
Auskünfte erteilen To grant/issue information (formal, official)
Informationen geben
Informationen geben To give information (neutral, common)
Mitteilen
mitteilen To inform, communicate (specific message)
Erzählen
erzählen To tell (stories, personal info, casual)

When to Use 'Auskünfte erteilen'

🎖️

Official Duty

  • Government agencies
  • Police departments
  • Courts
💼

Professional Service

  • Customer support
  • Company reception
  • Financial advisors
📚

Structured Information

  • Libraries (research info)
  • Museums (exhibit details)
  • University admissions
📜

Formal Communication

  • Official announcements
  • Legal documents
  • Formal reports

Banco de ejercicios

12 ejercicios
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb. Fill Blank beginner

Der Kundenservice wird Ihnen gerne ______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

`Auskünfte erteilen` is the most formal and standard collocation for providing information in a professional context.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly. Choose intermediate

Which sentence uses `Auskünfte erteilen` appropriately?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

Option B is correct because it's a formal context (police officer). Option A is too informal, C is too informal for asking directions, and D is too general and casual.

Find and fix the error in the sentence. Error Fix intermediate

Encuentra y corrige el error:

Der Anwalt wird den Mandanten über den Fall Auskünfte geben.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Der Anwalt wird dem Mandanten über den Fall Auskünfte erteilen.

While `geben` isn't strictly wrong, `erteilen` is the more formal and precise verb to use when a lawyer is providing official information to a client.

Complete the sentence with the most suitable phrase. Fill Blank advanced

Die Behörde ist verpflichtet, den Bürgern auf Anfrage ______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: C

In the context of a government authority ('Behörde') obligated to provide information upon request ('auf Anfrage'), `Auskünfte zu erteilen` is the most appropriate and formal choice.

Translate this sentence into German. Traducir intermediate

The official website provides information about the event.

Pistas: Use the formal verb for 'provides information'., Remember the plural form of 'information'.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Die offizielle Website erteilt Auskünfte über die Veranstaltung.

This translation uses the formal collocation `erteilt Auskünfte` to match the official nature of the website and the information provided.

Find and fix the error in the sentence. Error Fix advanced

Encuentra y corrige el error:

Könnten Sie mir bitte Auskünfte erteilen, wie ich hierher komme?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Könnten Sie mir bitte sagen/erklären, wie ich hierher komme?

`Auskünfte erteilen` is too formal and official for asking simple directions. More common verbs like `sagen` (to say) or `erklären` (to explain) are suitable here.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly. Choose advanced

Which sentence best fits a formal context?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

Option B is the most formal and appropriate, describing an agency providing official travel information. Options A and D are too informal, and C is slightly less formal than B.

Fill in the blank. Fill Blank beginner

Der Bibliothekar half mir, ______ zu finden.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: A

In a library context, especially when referring to official guidance or research details, `Auskünfte` is a fitting word, often used with `erteilen` or `geben`.

Translate this sentence into German. Traducir advanced

The company cannot provide information about ongoing investigations.

Pistas: Think about the negative form., Use the standard collocation for providing information.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Das Unternehmen kann zu laufenden Ermittlungen keine Auskünfte erteilen.

This translation correctly uses the formal phrase `keine Auskünfte erteilen` to indicate the company's inability to share details about sensitive, ongoing investigations.

Find and fix the error in the sentence. Error Fix beginner

Encuentra y corrige el error:

Der Lehrer gibt den Schülern Auskünfte über die Prüfung.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Der Lehrer erteilt den Schülern Auskünfte über die Prüfung.

While `gibt` is understandable, `erteilt` is the more formal and standard verb used in educational contexts when providing official information like exam details.

Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly. Choose intermediate

Which sentence is most appropriate for a formal announcement?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

Option B is the most suitable for a formal announcement, describing a company providing official product information. The others are too informal or inappropriate.

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase. Fill Blank intermediate

Der Reiseführer ______ uns ______ über die Geschichte der Stadt.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: B

In this context, a tour guide providing historical information acts in a semi-official capacity, making `erteilt Auskünfte` the most fitting and formal choice.

🎉 Puntuación: /12

Preguntas frecuentes

20 preguntas

It translates to 'to provide information' but carries a much more formal and official tone. Think of it as the proper, sometimes bureaucratic, way an institution or official gives out data or guidance.

Not quite. While the basic meaning is similar, Auskünfte erteilen is significantly more formal. It implies that the information is official, structured, and being dispensed by someone in an authoritative or service role, like a government clerk or a company representative.

Definitely not! Using this phrase in casual chat with friends sounds overly stiff and unnatural. It’s like wearing a suit to a beach party. For everyday talk, stick to simpler verbs like sagen, erzählen, or mitteilen.

This phrase shines in professional and official contexts. Think customer service desks, government offices, job interviews, formal announcements, or when a company is providing details about its services or products.

Avoid it in informal settings like texting friends, chatting with family, ordering food, or asking for casual directions. It would sound comically out of place and make you seem distant or robotic.

Informationen geben is a more neutral and versatile phrase, suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. Auskünfte erteilen is strictly formal and implies an official capacity or duty to provide information.

Yes, besides Informationen geben, you can use mitteilen (to inform, communicate a specific piece of news), bescheid geben (to let someone know), or unterrichten (to inform, often in a teaching or briefing context).

Yes, the collocation almost always uses the plural Auskünfte. It refers to the body of information being provided. Using the singular Auskunft with erteilen is much less common and can sound slightly off.

The vibe is official, precise, and perhaps a bit bureaucratic. It conveys reliability and a sense of duty, like you're accessing official records or receiving guidance from an expert.

Technically possible, but highly unusual and would sound very strange. You wouldn't typically 'officially issue' personal feelings. You'd 'express' or 'share' them using different verbs.

Yes, absolutely! Official websites, especially those of companies, government bodies, or institutions, often use this phrase in their FAQs or contact sections to describe how they provide information.

Don't worry too much! Native speakers will likely understand you, but they might find it amusingly formal or slightly odd. It's better to learn the appropriate contexts to avoid sounding unnatural.

Yes, erteilen is often used with nouns related to granting or issuing things officially, like einen Rat erteilen (to give advice), einen Auftrag erteilen (to place an order), or eine Genehmigung erteilen (to grant permission).

It's similar to phrases like 'to provide official information' in English or 'fournir des renseignements' in French – they all signal a formal, institutional context for information exchange.

A well-programmed chatbot representing an official service might use it to sound authoritative. However, if it sounds too robotic, it might be better to use a slightly less formal phrase depending on the brand's voice.

A common mistake is using the wrong tense or forgetting the plural Auskünfte. For instance, saying 'Ich erteile Auskunft' instead of 'Ich erteile Auskünfte' might sound slightly off to a native speaker.

The phrase Auskünfte erteilen is standard German and widely understood across all German-speaking regions. Its formality level remains consistent regardless of location.

It stems from a cultural emphasis on clarity, precision, and the formal structure of official communication. It ensures that information dispensed by institutions is perceived as accurate and authoritative.

Yes, using Auskünfte erteilen in a written report, especially if it's an official document or a formal analysis, is perfectly appropriate and enhances the professional tone.

If you want to be helpful but slightly less formal than Auskünfte erteilen, Informationen geben is your best bet. It strikes a good balance between politeness and approachability in many professional settings.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Informationen geben

synonym

To give information

This is a more neutral and common way to say 'to give information', suitable for a wider range of situations than the very formal 'Auskünfte erteilen'.

🔗

Mitteilen

related topic

To inform, to communicate

While 'mitteilen' also means to inform, it often implies conveying a specific message or news item rather than general data.

👔

Auskunft geben

formal version

To give information (singular)

This is a slightly less formal variant of 'Auskünfte erteilen', using the singular 'Auskunft' but still maintaining a degree of officiality.

🔗

Erklären

related topic

To explain

Explaining is a type of providing information, but it focuses more on clarifying complex points rather than just dispensing facts.

↔️

Erzählen

antonym

To tell (a story)

This is the opposite end of the formality spectrum, used for casual storytelling, whereas 'Auskünfte erteilen' is strictly for formal information.

🔗

Berichten

related topic

To report

Reporting implies a more detailed account of events or findings, often in a structured or investigative manner, which is a specific type of information provision.

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