die Berufung
appeal
A legal remedy by which a judgment is submitted to the next higher court for review.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt hat gegen das Urteil sofort Berufung eingelegt.
The lawyer immediately filed an appeal against the judgment.
die Berufung
appeal / calling / appointment
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Meanings
die Berufung
calling
A deep inner feeling of being meant for a particular task or profession; a life’s work.
EXAMPLE
Für sie ist es nicht nur ein Job, Ärztin zu sein ist ihre wahre Berufung.
For her, it is not just a job; being a doctor is her true calling.
die Berufung
appointment
The official appointment of a person to a high office, especially the appointment of a professor at a university.
EXAMPLE
Die Wissenschaftlerin erhielt eine Berufung an die Universität Berlin.
The scholar received an appointment at the University of Berlin.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Berufung' (the appeal/calling/appointment) is derived from the verb 'berufen', which means 'to appoint someone to an office' or 'to refer to something'. The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde auf den neuen Lehrstuhl berufen.
He was appointed to the new chair.
Context clues
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Berufung' (appeal/calling/appointment) from context. Words like 'Gericht' (court) or 'Urteil' (judgment) point to the legal meaning. An academic context with 'Universität' (university) or 'Professor' (professor) refers to the appointment. A personal context about life goals points to the meaning of 'Lebensaufgabe' (life’s work).
EXAMPLE
Der Professor nahm die Berufung nach München an.
The professor accepted the appointment to Munich.
Typical collocation
In a legal context, the fixed expression 'Berufung einlegen' (to file an appeal) is central. You file an appeal 'gegen' (against) a judgment.
EXAMPLE
Die Verteidigung wird gegen das Urteil Berufung einlegen.
The defense will file an appeal against the judgment.
Typical collocations
When it is about one’s life’s work, 'Berufung' (calling) is often combined with verbs like 'finden' (to find), 'spüren' (to feel), or 'folgen' (to follow). You can also 'als seine Berufung ansehen' (regard something as your calling).
EXAMPLE
Er hat in der Arbeit mit Kindern seine wahre Berufung gefunden.
He found his true calling in working with children.
Use in a sentence
In an academic context, you 'erhält' (receive) or 'bekommt' (get) a 'Berufung' (appointment). The destination of the appointment is given with the preposition 'an' and the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Forscherin hat eine Berufung an die Universität Oxford erhalten.
The researcher received an appointment at the University of Oxford.
Compare with
AuftragMissionRufBestimmungBeschwerdeBestellungRevisionErnennungEinsetzungVerfassungsbeschwerdeCallingBezugnahme
Berufung vs Auftrag
assignment / order / mission
Auftrag and Berufung can both refer to an important purpose in life. Auftrag emphasizes more the duty or cause that someone wants to fulfill. Berufung refers to the deep inner feeling of being meant for a particular activity or profession.
Berufung
Der Lehrer spürt seit seiner Jugend, dass die Arbeit mit Kindern seine Berufung ist.
The teacher has felt since his youth that working with children is his calling.
Auftrag
Der Lehrer sieht es als seinen Auftrag, jedem Kind gute Chancen zu geben.
The teacher sees it as his mission to give every child a fair chance.
In real life
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