statement
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statement
A formal, often written expression of one's own opinion, position, or assessment regarding a specific topic or incident.
Die Ministerin wurde von der Presse um eine Stellungnahme zu den aktuellen Ereignissen gebeten.
The minister was asked by the press for a statement on the current events.
The word is the nominalization of the fixed expression 'Stellung nehmen' (to take a position / to comment), which means 'seine Meinung äußern' (to express one's opinion). A 'Stellungnahme' (statement) is therefore the result of this action: the opinion expressed.
Der Politiker wollte zu den Vorwürfen keine Stellung nehmen.
The politician did not want to comment on the accusations.
Common verbs used with 'Stellungnahme' (statement) are 'eine Stellungnahme abgeben' (to issue/give a statement), 'veröffentlichen' (to publish), or 'verweigern' (to refuse). Other people can 'fordern' (demand), 'verlangen' (request/demand), or 'darum bitten' (ask for) a statement.
Das Unternehmen hat eine offizielle Stellungnahme zu dem Vorfall abgegeben.
The company issued an official statement about the incident.
'Stellungnahme' (statement) is a formal word used mainly in official, political, legal, or business contexts. It describes a considered and often written expression of opinion.
Wir warten auf die schriftliche Stellungnahme des Anwalts.
We are waiting for the lawyer's written statement.
To name the topic of the statement, the preposition 'zu' + dative is almost always used.
Die Opposition verlangt eine Stellungnahme der Regierung zur aktuellen Krise.
The opposition is demanding a statement from the government on the current crisis.
opinion
'die Meinung' and 'die Stellungnahme' both have to do with a position on a topic. 'Meinung' is the personal view itself and fits in many private and everyday situations. 'Stellungnahme' is an expressed opinion, often official, objective, and frequently written. The word is used, for example, with authorities, companies, associations, or in the media. The words can be confused because a Stellungnahme usually contains an opinion. But not every opinion is a Stellungnahme. A Stellungnahme is more like a formal response or explanation on a topic.
Die Zeitung hat eine Stellungnahme der Stadt zu dem Vorfall veröffentlicht.
The newspaper published a statement from the city about the incident.
Morgen will der Verkäufer im Bus seine Meinung zu der neuen Regel sagen.
Tomorrow, the salesman on the bus wants to say what he thinks about the new rule.