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B1 noun #3,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

die Aussage

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'die Aussage' often. You usually use 'sagen' (to say). However, you might see it in simple instructions, like 'Welche Aussage ist richtig?' (Which statement is correct?) in your German exercises. It just means a sentence or a piece of information that you need to check. Think of it as 'the thing that is said'. It is a feminine word: 'die Aussage'. You can remember it by 'aus' (out) and 'sagen' (to say). You are saying something 'out' to the world. At this level, just focus on recognizing it in tests. For example, if you see a True/False question, the question might ask if the 'Aussage' is 'richtig' (right) or 'falsch' (wrong). It's a very common word in German language exams even at the very beginning.
At the A2 level, you start to see 'die Aussage' in more contexts, especially when talking about what people say in news or stories. You might learn that it means 'statement'. You can use it to describe what someone said: 'Seine Aussage war interessant' (His statement was interesting). You also start to use verbs with it, like 'eine Aussage machen' (to make a statement). This is useful if you are talking about a simple situation where someone explains something. You might also encounter it in reading tasks where you have to identify the main 'Aussage' of a short paragraph. It's a step up from just 'Satz' (sentence) because it focuses on the meaning. Remember: 'die Aussage' (singular), 'die Aussagen' (plural). It's a useful word to sound a bit more formal than just saying 'was er gesagt hat' (what he said).
At the B1 level, 'die Aussage' becomes a key vocabulary word. You should be able to use it in various contexts: legal, personal, and analytical. In a B1 exam, you might have to summarize the 'Aussage' of a text. You also learn that it's the word for 'testimony' in a legal sense. If you are talking about a crime or an accident, you would say 'Der Zeuge macht eine Aussage' (The witness is giving a statement). You also start using prepositions: 'eine Aussage über' (a statement about). You might discuss the 'Aussage' of a film or a song—what is the message? It's more than just words; it's the point being made. You should also be aware of 'aussagekräftig', an adjective meaning 'meaningful' or 'significant'. For example, 'Das ist kein aussagekräftiges Beispiel' (That is not a meaningful example). This level requires you to distinguish between a simple sentence and a statement of fact or intent.
At the B2 level, you use 'die Aussage' to discuss abstract concepts and more complex topics. You will use it in debates to refer to an opponent's point: 'Diese Aussage kann ich so nicht akzeptieren' (I cannot accept this statement as it is). You also learn more formal collocations like 'eine Aussage treffen' (to make a statement/judgment) or 'die Aussage verweigern' (to refuse to testify). You'll use it in professional settings to talk about the validity of data: 'Die Aussagekraft dieser Studie ist begrenzt' (The validity/expressiveness of this study is limited). You are expected to understand the nuance between 'Aussage', 'Behauptung' (assertion), and 'Äußerung' (utterance). You might also use it in literary analysis to describe the 'Kernaussage' (core message) of a complex work. Your ability to use 'Aussage' correctly shows that you can handle formal German and discuss topics with precision.
At the C1 level, 'die Aussage' is used with high precision in academic and specialized contexts. You will encounter it in legal texts, where the 'Glaubwürdigkeit der Aussage' (credibility of the testimony) is analyzed. In logic and philosophy, you'll discuss 'Aussagenlogik' (propositional logic). You'll use the word to critique complex arguments, perhaps noting that an 'Aussage' is 'vage' (vague) or 'widersprüchlich' (contradictory). You should be comfortable using related terms like 'Aussagewert' or 'Aussagegehalt'. You might analyze how the 'Aussageweise' (the mode of the verb) affects the 'Aussage' of a sentence. At this level, you don't just use the word; you analyze the 'Aussage' itself—its implications, its truth value, and its rhetorical power. You can distinguish between the 'explizite' (explicit) and 'implizite' (implicit) 'Aussage' of a communication.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'die Aussage' is complete. You use it in the most nuanced ways, perhaps in legal theory, advanced linguistics, or philosophical discourse. You might discuss the 'performativen Charakter einer Aussage' (the performative character of a statement) or how an 'Aussage' functions within a specific 'Diskurs'. You are able to use the word in highly sophisticated structures, such as 'Die Aussagekraft dieser empirischen Befunde steht und fällt mit der Validität der Messinstrumente' (The significance of these empirical findings depends entirely on the validity of the measuring instruments). You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and can use it to discuss the 'Aussageabsicht' (intended message) of authors in classical literature. For you, 'die Aussage' is a tool for deep analysis of human communication, truth, and meaning.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

die Aussage en 30 secondes

  • Die Aussage refers to a statement, declaration, or testimony in legal, academic, or everyday contexts, focusing on the content rather than the grammar.
  • It is a feminine noun (die Aussage, plural: die Aussagen) and is commonly paired with verbs like 'machen', 'treffen', and 'verweigern'.
  • In creative contexts, it describes the central message or theme of a film, book, or piece of art, often called the 'Kernaussage'.
  • Key synonyms include 'Äußerung' (utterance) and 'Behauptung' (assertion), but 'Aussage' carries more weight and formal authority in German.

The German noun die Aussage is a versatile and essential term that primarily translates to "statement," "declaration," or "testimony." At its core, it refers to something that is expressed or communicated, whether through spoken words, written text, or even the underlying message of a creative work. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating legal, academic, and everyday German contexts. It is derived from the verb aussagen (to state/testify), which combines the prefix aus- (out) with sagen (to say), literally meaning 'to say out' or 'to express'.

Legal Context
In a courtroom or police investigation, an Aussage is the formal testimony provided by a witness or a defendant. It is the official account of events.
Logic and Linguistics
In logic, it refers to a proposition—a statement that can be either true or false. In linguistics, it refers to the communicative intent of a sentence.
Artistic Context
When discussing a film, book, or painting, Aussage refers to the central message or theme the artist intended to convey.

"Der Zeuge machte eine präzise Aussage vor Gericht, die den Fall entscheidend beeinflusste."

Example: A witness giving testimony.

Beyond these formal definitions, die Aussage carries a weight of authority. Unlike a simple Satz (sentence), which is a grammatical unit, an Aussage implies that something meaningful is being asserted. It is the content and the commitment to that content that defines it. For instance, if you say something without meaning it, someone might ask, "Was ist die eigentliche Aussage dahinter?" (What is the actual message behind it?). This highlights the depth of the word, reaching into the intention of the speaker.

"Die Aussage des Films ist, dass Liebe alle Hindernisse überwindet."

Grammar Note
It is a feminine noun (die), and its plural is die Aussagen. It often takes the preposition über (about) or zu (regarding).

In everyday conversation, you might hear people talk about the "Aussagekraft" (expressiveness or validity) of a piece of evidence or a statistic. If a statistic has high Aussagekraft, it means it is very meaningful and provides clear insights. Conversely, a weak statement is often dismissed as having "wenig Aussage." This demonstrates how the word is tied to the value and clarity of information in German culture.

"Diese Statistik hat leider keine große Aussage über die tatsächliche Situation."

Using die Aussage correctly requires understanding its common verb pairings (collocations) and the prepositions that typically follow it. Because it can range from a casual comment to a legal testimony, the context determines which verbs are appropriate. The most common verb used with Aussage is machen (to make). When you "eine Aussage machen," you are providing information or stating your position.

  • Eine Aussage machen: To make a statement (general or legal).
  • Eine Aussage verweigern: To refuse to give a statement (often used in legal contexts, like "the right to remain silent").
  • Eine Aussage treffen: To make a statement or reach a conclusion (often used in academic or analytical contexts).
  • Eine Aussage widerrufen: To retract a statement.

"Der Angeklagte entschied sich, die Aussage zu verweigern."

Legal usage: Refusing to testify.

When you want to specify what the statement is about, you use the prepositions über (+ accusative) or zu (+ dative). For example, "eine Aussage über das Wetter" (a statement about the weather) or "eine Aussage zu den Vorwürfen" (a statement regarding the allegations). The choice between über and zu is often subtle; über is more general, while zu often implies a response to a specific point or question.

Prepositional Usage
über + Akk: Focuses on the subject matter (e.g., Aussage über die Zukunft).
zu + Dat: Focuses on the relation to a topic (e.g., Aussage zu diesem Thema).

In analytical writing, such as when interpreting literature or data, Aussage is used to describe the core message. You might say, "Die zentrale Aussage des Textes ist..." (The central message of the text is...). Here, it functions similarly to "thesis" or "main point." It is also common in the compound noun Aussageweise, which refers to the mode of expression (e.g., indicative, subjunctive).

"Können Sie eine konkrete Aussage zu Ihren Plänen machen?"

You will encounter die Aussage in several distinct environments, each giving the word a slightly different flavor. The most prominent is the legal and police environment. News reports about trials will constantly mention Zeugenaussagen (witness statements) or the Aussage des Verdächtigen (the suspect's statement). If you ever watch a German crime drama like Tatort, this word is unavoidable.

"Die Polizei prüft derzeit die Aussage des Hauptzeugen auf ihre Glaubwürdigkeit."

Common in news and crime fiction.

Another common setting is academia and school. Teachers and professors use Aussage when asking students to summarize the main point of a text or a mathematical theorem. In logic classes, an Aussage is a fundamental unit of study. You might hear: "Ist diese Aussage logisch konsistent?" (Is this statement logically consistent?).

Media & Journalism
Journalists use it to refer to official comments from politicians or companies. "Eine offizielle Aussage der Regierung steht noch aus."
Art & Criticism
Art critics use it to discuss the intent of a work. "Die politische Aussage des Bildes ist unverkennbar."

In business and corporate life, Aussage is used when discussing the clarity of reports or the validity of market research. A manager might say, "Die Aussage dieser Grafik ist eindeutig: Wir müssen die Kosten senken." (The message of this graph is clear: we must reduce costs). It implies that the data is "speaking" or "stating" a fact.

"Seine Aussage im Interview sorgte für viel Kritik in den sozialen Medien."

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing die Aussage with der Satz (the sentence). While every Aussage is usually contained within a Satz, they are not the same. A Satz is a grammatical structure with a subject and a verb. An Aussage is the meaning or the claim conveyed. If you say "The cat is blue," that is a Satz, and the Aussage is the claim that the cat has a blue color.

Incorrect: "Dieser Satz vor Gericht war gelogen."
Correct: "Diese Aussage vor Gericht war gelogen."

Focus on the content/testimony, not the grammar.

Another common error is using Aussage when Meinung (opinion) is more appropriate. An Aussage is usually something stated as a fact or a formal position. If you are just sharing how you feel about a pizza, use Meinung. If you are stating a definitive point in a debate, Aussage works better.

Aussage vs. Behauptung
A Behauptung is an assertion that might not be proven. An Aussage is more neutral; it's just what was said, though in legal terms, it's expected to be true.
Aussage vs. Erklärung
An Erklärung (explanation) provides reasons why, whereas an Aussage simply states what is the case.

Learners also struggle with the verb treffen vs. machen. While "eine Aussage machen" is very common, "eine Aussage treffen" is more formal and often refers to making a definitive judgment or a generalized statement about a group or situation. Using "machen" in a highly academic paper might feel slightly too informal, though it is not strictly wrong.

"Ich möchte keine allgemeine Aussage über alle Jugendlichen treffen."

To truly master die Aussage, it helps to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Each has a specific nuance that changes the tone of your sentence. The most direct synonym in a general sense is die Äußerung. However, an Äußerung is often more casual—it's just something someone "uttered" or remarked, whereas an Aussage feels more substantial and intentional.

die Behauptung
An assertion or claim. It often carries the connotation that the statement might be unproven or even false.
die Feststellung
A finding or an observation. This is used when you state a fact that you have discovered or confirmed.
die Deklaration
A formal declaration, often used in political or official contexts (e.g., Steuererklärung - tax declaration).

"Seine Aussage war eher eine vage Äußerung als eine klare Feststellung."

Comparing levels of certainty.

In the context of the "message" of a work, you might use die Botschaft (the message). While Aussage is more analytical, Botschaft is more emotional or moral. A movie might have a political Aussage but a hopeful Botschaft. Another related word is das Statement, which has been borrowed from English and is used frequently in media and PR contexts, often referring to a short, prepared comment given to the press.

"Die Aussage des Zeugen deckt sich mit der Behauptung des Opfers."

Finally, consider die Angabe. This is often used in the plural (Angaben) to mean "details" or "information provided." For example, "nach Angaben der Polizei" (according to police reports/statements). While Aussage focuses on the act of stating, Angaben focuses on the data points provided.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

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Informel

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Guide de prononciation

Rime avec
Anfrage Lage

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

Die Aussage ist richtig.

The statement is correct.

Subject + verb + adjective.

2

Ist diese Aussage falsch?

Is this statement false?

Question form.

3

Bitte lesen Sie die Aussage.

Please read the statement.

Imperative with 'Sie'.

4

Ich verstehe die Aussage nicht.

I don't understand the statement.

Negation with 'nicht'.

5

Das ist eine kurze Aussage.

That is a short statement.

Indefinite article 'eine'.

6

Schreiben Sie eine Aussage.

Write a statement.

Accusative object.

7

Die Aussage ist über das Wetter.

The statement is about the weather.

Preposition 'über' + accusative.

8

Welche Aussage passt?

Which statement fits?

Interrogative pronoun 'welche'.

1

Er macht eine Aussage bei der Polizei.

He is making a statement at the police station.

Verb 'machen' + 'Aussage'.

2

Ihre Aussage war sehr klar.

Her statement was very clear.

Possessive pronoun 'ihre'.

3

Wir haben viele Aussagen gehört.

We heard many statements.

Plural 'Aussagen'.

4

Die Aussage im Buch ist wichtig.

The statement in the book is important.

Prepositional phrase 'im Buch'.

5

Kannst du die Aussage wiederholen?

Can you repeat the statement?

Modal verb 'können'.

6

Die Aussage hilft uns nicht.

The statement doesn't help us.

Dative object 'uns'.

7

Gibt es eine Aussage dazu?

Is there a statement about that?

'Es gibt' + accusative.

8

Seine Aussage war eine Überraschung.

His statement was a surprise.

Predicate noun.

1

Der Zeuge muss eine Aussage machen.

The witness must make a statement.

Modal verb 'müssen'.

2

Die Aussage des Films ist sehr traurig.

The message of the film is very sad.

Genitive 'des Films'.

3

Er verweigert die Aussage.

He refuses to give a statement.

Verb 'verweigern'.

4

Diese Aussage widerspricht der Wahrheit.

This statement contradicts the truth.

Verb 'widersprechen' + dative.

5

Ich möchte eine Aussage über meine Arbeit treffen.

I would like to make a statement about my work.

Preposition 'über' + accusative.

6

Die Aussagekraft der Daten ist gering.

The significance of the data is low.

Compound noun 'Aussagekraft'.

7

Können Sie diese Aussage beweisen?

Can you prove this statement?

Verb 'beweisen'.

8

Die Aussage steht im Protokoll.

The statement is in the transcript.

Preposition 'in' + dative.

1

Es ist schwer, eine allgemeine Aussage zu treffen.

It is difficult to make a general statement.

Infinitive with 'zu'.

2

Die Aussage wurde später widerrufen.

The statement was later retracted.

Passive voice.

3

Seine Aussage löste eine Debatte aus.

His statement triggered a debate.

Separable verb 'auslösen'.

4

Die Kernaussage des Artikels ist deutlich.

The core message of the article is clear.

Compound noun 'Kernaussage'.

5

Man sollte solche Aussagen mit Vorsicht genießen.

One should take such statements with a grain of salt.

Idiomatic expression 'mit Vorsicht genießen'.

6

Die Aussage bezieht sich auf das letzte Jahr.

The statement refers to last year.

Reflexive verb 'sich beziehen auf'.

7

Es gibt keine offizielle Aussage der Firma.

There is no official statement from the company.

Adjective 'offizielle'.

8

Die Aussage ist rechtlich bindend.

The statement is legally binding.

Adverbial use of 'rechtlich'.

1

Die Glaubwürdigkeit der Aussage wird angezweifelt.

The credibility of the statement is being questioned.

Passive voice + genitive.

2

Diese Aussage entbehrt jeder Grundlage.

This statement lacks any foundation.

Verb 'entbehren' + genitive.

3

In der Aussagenlogik werden Sätze analysiert.

In propositional logic, sentences are analyzed.

Specialized terminology.

4

Die Aussageabsicht des Autors bleibt unklar.

The author's intended message remains unclear.

Compound noun 'Aussageabsicht'.

5

Er relativierte seine ursprüngliche Aussage.

He put his original statement into perspective.

Verb 'relativieren'.

6

Die Aussage steht im krassen Widerspruch zu den Fakten.

The statement is in stark contrast to the facts.

Prepositional phrase 'im Widerspruch zu'.

7

Die statistische Aussagekraft ist signifikant.

The statistical significance is high.

Academic register.

8

Jede Aussage ist in einen Kontext eingebettet.

Every statement is embedded in a context.

Passive state (Zustandspassiv).

1

Die ontologische Aussage des Textes ist tiefgreifend.

The ontological statement of the text is profound.

Highly academic adjective.

2

Er untermauerte seine Aussage mit empirischen Daten.

He backed up his statement with empirical data.

Verb 'untermauern'.

3

Die Performativität dieser Aussage ist unbestreitbar.

The performativity of this statement is undeniable.

Abstract noun.

4

Es handelt sich um eine apodiktische Aussage.

It is an apodictic statement.

Rare academic adjective.

5

Die Aussage wird durch die Meta-Ebene dekonstruiert.

The statement is deconstructed by the meta-level.

Literary theory context.

6

Ihre Aussage fungiert als Katalysator für den Diskurs.

Her statement functions as a catalyst for the discourse.

Metaphorical usage.

7

Die hermeneutische Analyse der Aussage ist komplex.

The hermeneutic analysis of the statement is complex.

Specialized academic field.

8

Diese Aussage transzendiert die bloße Information.

This statement transcends mere information.

Philosophical verb 'transzendieren'.

Collocations courantes

eine Aussage machen
die Aussage verweigern
eine Aussage treffen
eine klare Aussage
eine falsche Aussage
die Aussagekraft
eine Aussage widerrufen
laut Aussage von
eine Aussage tätigen
die Kernaussage

Phrases Courantes

Aussage gegen Aussage

eine Aussage unterschreiben

die Aussage beeiden

keine Aussage machen wollen

eine schriftliche Aussage

eine mündliche Aussage

die Aussage eines Zeugen

eine Aussage über die Zukunft

die Aussage des Bildes

eine Aussage revidieren

Souvent confondu avec

die Aussage vs Satz (grammatical unit)

die Aussage vs Meinung (subjective opinion)

die Aussage vs Anzeige (advertisement)

Expressions idiomatiques

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Facile à confondre

die Aussage vs Ansage

An announcement (e.g., at a train station).

die Aussage vs Absage

A rejection or cancellation.

die Aussage vs Zusage

A commitment or acceptance.

die Aussage vs Durchsage

A public address announcement.

die Aussage vs Voraussage

A prediction.

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

legal

Always used for official testimony.

nuance

Aussage is more formal than Äußerung.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'der Aussage' instead of 'die Aussage'.
  • Confusing 'Aussage' with 'Meinung' in casual contexts.
  • Saying 'einen Aussage' (wrong gender/case).
  • Using 'Aussage' for a train announcement (should be 'Durchsage').
  • Thinking 'Aussage' only means 'testimony'.

Astuces

Learn the Verb

Always learn 'aussagen' alongside 'die Aussage' to understand the action.

Genitive Use

Practice saying 'Die Aussage des Mannes' to master the genitive case.

Art Analysis

When visiting a museum, try to describe the 'Aussage' of a painting in German.

Crime Shows

Watch 'Tatort' to hear 'Aussage' used in police contexts constantly.

True or False

In German, 'Aussagen' are the things that are 'wahr' or 'falsch'.

Precision

Use 'Aussage' in essays to refer to the author's claims.

Debating

Use 'Diese Aussage ist problematisch' to challenge someone politely.

Prefix Focus

Focus on the 'aus-' prefix; it often implies bringing something from inside to outside.

Visual Aid

Imagine a witness stand whenever you hear the word to anchor the meaning.

Data Reports

Use 'Aussagekraft' when presenting charts to colleagues.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Germanic

Contexte culturel

German Expressionism often focused on the 'Aussage' of emotion over realism.

The right to refuse to testify is 'Aussageverweigerungsrecht'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Was ist die wichtigste Aussage dieses Buches?"

"Hast du die Aussage des Politikers gestern gehört?"

"Wie findest du die Aussage von diesem Kunstwerk?"

"Kann man dieser Aussage wirklich glauben?"

"Welche Aussage hat dich am meisten überrascht?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über eine Aussage, die dein Leben verändert hat.

Was ist die Kernaussage deines Lieblingsfilms?

Hast du schon einmal eine Aussage bei der Polizei gemacht?

Warum ist eine klare Aussage in einer Beziehung wichtig?

Analysiere eine politische Aussage aus den Nachrichten.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, it is used in art, logic, and daily life to mean 'message' or 'statement'.

A 'Satz' is a grammatical sentence; an 'Aussage' is the meaning or claim within it.

Yes, but it sounds formal, like you are making a point or giving testimony.

It means it's one person's word against another's with no other evidence.

Yes, it is always 'die Aussage'.

It is 'Zeugenaussage'.

Yes, especially the central message of a creative work (Kernaussage).

The most common verbs are 'machen', 'treffen', and 'verweigern'.

Yes, in logic, to refer to a proposition that is true or false.

It refers to how meaningful or informative a statement or data set is.

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