das Tun
doing / action
The carrying out of actions or activities; acting in general.
EXAMPLE
Nicht nur die Absicht, sondern auch das Tun entscheidet über die Wirkung.
It is not only the intention but also the action that determines the effect.
das Tun
doing / action
das Tun
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Meanings
das Tun und Lassen
actions and inaction
All the actions and omissions of a person—in other words, their overall behavior.
EXAMPLE
Sein Tun und Lassen wurde von der Öffentlichkeit genau beobachtet.
Everything he did and failed to do was closely observed by the public.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Tun, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance (das)
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Tuns |
The four cases (das)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Tun | – |
| accusative | das Tun | – |
| dative | dem Tun | – |
| genitive | des Tuns | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (der)
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Tune |
| genitive | des Tuns |
The four cases (der)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Tun | die Tune |
| accusative | den Tun | die Tune |
| dative | dem Tun | den Tunen |
| genitive | des Tuns des Tunes | der Tune |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Tun' (doing) is the verb 'tun' (to do) used as a noun. It can be combined with an adjective or a possessive word, as in 'gemeinsames Tun' (doing things together) or 'unser Tun' (what we do).
EXAMPLE
Gemeinsames Tun stärkt den Zusammenhalt in der Gruppe.
Doing things together strengthens cohesion within the group.
Unser Tun hat Folgen für die Umwelt.
What we do has consequences for the environment.
Expressing responsibility
A typical phrase is 'für sein Tun verantwortlich sein' (to be responsible for what one does). 'Für' is followed by the accusative; the possessive word shows whose actions are meant.
EXAMPLE
Jeder ist für sein eigenes Tun verantwortlich.
Everyone is responsible for their own actions.
Fixed expression
In 'Tun und Lassen' (everything one does and fails to do), the order is fixed. A possessive word often comes before it and refers to the whole expression; a typical pattern is 'in seinem Tun und Lassen frei sein' (to be free to do as one wishes).
EXAMPLE
Sie möchte in ihrem Tun und Lassen frei sein.
She wants to be free to do as she wishes.
In real life
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