behauptung

Behauptung is a German noun meaning an assertion, claim, or proposition that someone presents as true. It denotes a statement that purports to describe how the world is, even if its truth value is not yet established. A Behauptung may be true or false and often requires evidence or justification to be assessed.

The word is derived from the verb behaupten, to claim or assert, with the agentive suffix -ung turning it into a noun. In everyday language, one can speak of “eine Behauptung aufstellen” (to make an assertion) or “eine Behauptung widerlegen” (to refute an assertion).

In different contexts, the term carries slightly different nuances. In philosophy and logic, a Behauptung is a proposition that can be true or false and should be evaluated for evidence. In journalism and discourse, Behauptungen are statements presented as facts that may need verification or corroboration. In legal contexts, a Behauptung refers to a factual assertion pleaded by a party; such claims must be supported with evidence and may be challenged by the opposing side.

Examples include: “Der Bericht enthält Behauptungen über die Ursache des Feuers,” or “Der Angeklagte bestreitet die Behauptung, vor Ort gewesen zu sein.” Overall, Behauptung is a neutral term for a stated proposition whose truth depends on justification and evidence.