All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information | information; detail; information service | reports, websites, facts, desks | die Information; die Informationen |
| Auskunft | answer to an inquiry; information service | asking someone or a desk for details | die Auskunft; die Auskünfte |
Information
Meaning and usage: Use Information for a communicated detail or for information about a topic. Websites and reports commonly offer Informationen in the plural. The noun can also refer to the process of informing, or to an information desk; the relevant sense comes from context.
Grammar: Feminine: die Information, plural die Informationen. Unlike ordinary English 'information,' the German noun can be countable. The informing-process sense has no plural. About a topic is über + accusative; zu + dative also occurs.
Auf der Website stehen Informationen über den Kurs.
The website contains information about the course.
Diese Information ist für uns neu.
This piece of information is new to us.
Auskunft
Meaning and usage: Use Auskunft when someone provides an explanatory answer or details in response to a question. It can also name the service or desk that gives those answers. It is common with verbs for requesting or supplying information.
Grammar: Feminine: die Auskunft, plural die Auskünfte for individual answers or details. The information-service sense is used without a plural in the dictionary. Useful combinations are Auskunft geben/erteilen, Auskunft einholen and jemanden um Auskunft bitten.
Die Mitarbeiterin gibt mir Auskunft über die Abfahrtszeiten.
The staff member gives me information about the departure times.
Ich frage bei der Auskunft nach.
I ask at the information desk.
Overlap and context
Both nouns can fit an inquiry about a course or timetable. Information does not have to be written, and Auskunft does not have to come from an official authority. Bei der Information and bei der Auskunft can both refer to a desk. Choose the institution's own name when you are identifying a particular service.
Common mistakes
- German permits eine Information and mehrere Informationen; do not import English's uncountable-only pattern.
- Write the plural Auskünfte with an umlaut.
- Do not assume Auskunft always means a building or desk; it can be the answer itself.
Memory aid: Information names the details; Auskunft often names the answer you ask for.
Try it
Complete the usual phrase for supplying an answer: Die Rezeption kann Ihnen ___ erteilen.
Show the answer
Auskunft
Auskunft erteilen is an established phrase for providing requested information. Informationen geben is another ordinary pattern.