Auflistung

Auflistung is a German noun that denotes the act or result of listing items in a structured sequence. In writing, an Auflistung presents a set of elements—such as features, options, or data points—in a concise, organized form. The term is closely related to, but slightly distinct from, Aufzählung, which emphasizes the sequential enumeration of items, often with numbers or markers; Auflistung focuses more on the compilation or catalog-like presentation of items.

The word combines auf- and Liste and is used across different registers, including academic prose, manuals, catalogs, and administrative texts. It can describe both an inline listing within a sentence and a stand-alone list arranged as a bullet or enumerated line. In legal or technical writing, an Auflistung may delimit provisions, features, or requirements and serve to clarify scope.

Typographic practice varies: items may be separated by commas, semicolons, or line breaks, and a lead phrase such as “die folgenden Punkte” may introduce the list. In contrast to the broader term “Liste,” Auflistung often implies a purposeful compilation of elements rather than a casual enumeration.

In computing and information technology, the concept is often described as a listing or Dateiliste, but Fach- or technical writing may still use Auflistung to denote a compiled set of items within documentation or data presentation.

See also: Aufzählung, Liste, Katalog, Inventar, Enumeration.