die Erfindung
invention
A newly developed thing or new process that did not exist before.
EXAMPLE
Das Smartphone ist eine Erfindung, die unseren Alltag verändert hat.
The smartphone is an invention that has changed our everyday life.
die Erfindung
invention
die Erfindung, die Erfindungen
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Meanings
die Erfindung
invention
The process of inventing; the creative activity that leads to something new.
EXAMPLE
Die Erfindung des Buchdrucks hat die Verbreitung von Wissen revolutioniert.
The invention of printing revolutionized the spread of knowledge.
die Erfindung
fabrication
A made-up story that is not true; a lie or fiction.
EXAMPLE
Seine abenteuerliche Ausrede war von Anfang bis Ende eine reine Erfindung.
His adventurous excuse was a pure fabrication from beginning to end.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Erfindung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Erfindungen |
| genitive | der Erfindung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Erfindung | die Erfindungen |
| accusative | die Erfindung | die Erfindungen |
| dative | der Erfindung | den Erfindungen |
| genitive | der Erfindung | der Erfindungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Erfindung' (the invention) belongs to the verb 'erfinden' (to invent). This is derived from 'finden' (to find). The prefix 'er-' often indicates a successful result, so the finding of something new. The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun.
EXAMPLE
Wer hat eigentlich das Rad erfunden?
Who actually invented the wheel?
Typical collocations
When referring to a new thing, 'Erfindung' (invention) is often combined with the verb 'machen' (to make). Adjectives such as 'bahnbrechend' (groundbreaking), 'genial' (brilliant), or 'nützlich' (useful) are also typical.
EXAMPLE
Der Ingenieur hat eine bahnbrechende Erfindung gemacht.
The engineer made a groundbreaking invention.
Use with genitive
To describe the process of inventing, 'Erfindung' (invention) is often used with a genitive or a 'von' construction that indicates what was invented.
EXAMPLE
Die Erfindung des Papiers war für die Menschheit von großer Bedeutung.
The invention of paper was of great importance for humanity.
Context clue
You can often recognize the meaning 'Lüge' (lie) or 'Fiktion' (fiction) from words such as 'rein' (pure), 'frei' (free), or 'bloß' (mere). The phrase 'eine freie Erfindung' means that something is completely made up.
EXAMPLE
Die Geschichte vom Monster im See ist nur eine reine Erfindung.
The story about the monster in the lake is just a pure fabrication.
Compare with
Erfindung vs Konstruktion
construction
Konstruktion and Erfindung can both refer to a representation that is not based on the truth. Erfindung usually directly names the made-up story or lie, while Konstruktion places more emphasis on the artificially constructed presentation. Use Erfindung for a clear lie and Konstruktion for an artificially developed explanation.
Erfindung
Seine Geschichte über den Unfall war eine vollständige Erfindung.
His story about the accident was a complete fabrication.
Konstruktion
Seine Erklärung war eine komplizierte Konstruktion ohne echte Belege.
His explanation was a complicated construct with no real evidence.
In real life
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