noun
effect, impact
B1
Wirkung (feminine noun) means 'effect' or 'impact' — an outcome or influence of something. Singular die Wirkung, plural Wirkungen. Regular plural. Common collocations: Wirkung haben, die Wirkung auf etwas (auf + accusative). Related to verb 'wirken'. Used in scientific and everyday contexts.
Examples
Die Wirkung des Medikaments war sofort spürbar.
The impact of the medication was felt immediately.
Die Wirkung ist stark.
The effect is strong.
Die neue Regelung hatte eine unerwartete Wirkung auf den Markt.
The new regulation had an unexpected effect on the market.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine dropping a stone in water and seeing concentric ripples — the ripples are the Wirkung (effect).
Sounds a bit like 'working' — think 'the result of working' = effect.
Nouns ending in -ung are feminine in German — always die (e.g., die Wirkung).
Notes
The suffix -ung typically forms feminine, abstract nouns denoting results or processes (die Wirkung, die Entscheidung). Wirkung can mean physiological effect, social impact, or general result.