die Abschwächung
weakening
A reduction in the strength, intensity, or effect of something.
EXAMPLE
Der Wetterdienst rechnet mit einer Abschwächung des Sturms.
The weather service expects the storm to weaken.
die Abschwächung
weakening / softening
die Abschwächung, die Abschwächungen
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Meanings
die Abschwächung
softening
A milder or less definite form of a statement, criticism, or demand.
EXAMPLE
Durch die Abschwächung von „völlig falsch“ zu „ungenau“ wirkte seine Kritik weniger verletzend.
By softening “completely wrong” to “inaccurate,” his criticism seemed less hurtful.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Abschwächung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Abschwächungen |
| genitive | der Abschwächung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Abschwächung | die Abschwächungen |
| accusative | die Abschwächung | die Abschwächungen |
| dative | der Abschwächung | den Abschwächungen |
| genitive | der Abschwächung | der Abschwächungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
“Die Abschwächung” (weakening) belongs to the word family of “abschwächen” (to weaken). The ending “-ung” indicates the process or result of weakening here.
EXAMPLE
Die Abschwächung der Maßnahmen wurde lange diskutiert.
The weakening of the measures was discussed for a long time.
Typical collocations
When referring to a reduction in strength or effect, “Abschwächung” (weakening) often occurs with words such as “Sturm” (storm), “Wind” (wind), “Intensität” (intensity), or “Wirkung” (effect). It is often followed by the preposition “von” (of) or a genitive attribute.
EXAMPLE
Die Abschwächung der Intensität war deutlich spürbar.
The reduction in intensity was clearly noticeable.
Linguistic context
In the sense of a milder formulation, “Abschwächung” (softening) often refers to criticism, demands, or statements. Common words in this context include “Formulierung” (formulation), “Kritik” (criticism), “Forderung” (demand), or “Aussage” (statement).
EXAMPLE
Die Abschwächung seiner Forderung erleichterte die Verhandlungen.
The softening of his demand made the negotiations easier.
In real life
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