das  Beweismaterial

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈvaɪsmaˌteːʁi̯aːl/

📜 What does "das Beweismaterial" mean?

Das Beweismaterial (noun, neuter) refers to a collection of objects, documents, statements, or other elements used to prove or disprove a claim, suspicion, or fact. It's the material that serves as Beweis (proof or evidence).

It is mostly used in legal, scientific, or investigative contexts. It often serves as a collective term for various individual pieces of evidence (Beweisstücke).

⚠️ Since it's a collective noun, it's usually used in the singular, even when referring to many individual items.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of Beweismaterial in Detail

The word "Beweismaterial" is neuter. The article is das. It is mostly treated as an uncountable noun and therefore predominantly used in the singular.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural "die Beweismaterialien" is rare because the word usually functions as a collective noun (Singularetantum). When used, it refers to different types or collections of evidence material.

Example Sentences

1. Die Polizei sammelte umfangreiches Beweismaterial am Tatort.
   (The police collected extensive evidence material at the crime scene.)
2. Das Gericht prüft nun das Beweismaterial der Anklage.
   (The court is now examining the prosecution's evidence material.)
3. Mit diesem Beweismaterial können wir seine Unschuld beweisen.
   (With this evidence material, we can prove his innocence.)
4. Des Beweismaterials wegen wurde der Fall neu aufgerollt.
   (Because of the evidence material, the case was reopened.)
5. Die verschiedenen Beweismaterialien wurden in separaten Aktenordnern abgelegt.
   (The various evidence materials were filed in separate folders. - rare plural)

💡 How to use "Beweismaterial"?

"Beweismaterial" is primarily used in formal contexts, especially:

• In the legal system: Police, prosecutors, and courts talk about Beweismaterial presented in proceedings.
• In science: Researchers gather Beweismaterial (e.g., data, samples) to support or refute hypotheses.
• In journalism: Investigative journalists look for Beweismaterial to substantiate their reports.

Distinction from similar words:

• Beweis (der): A specific proof or argument that substantiates something. "Beweismaterial" is often the collection of such proofs.
• Indiz (das): A clue or indication that suggests something but is not yet conclusive proof.
• Beweisstück (das): A single item or document serving as part of the Beweismaterial.

Common verbs used with Beweismaterial are: sammeln (to collect), sichten (to review), prüfen (to examine), sichern (to secure), or vorlegen (to present).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

For the article "das": Think of "das Material". Many German words ending in "-material" are neuter (das), e.g., das Baumaterial (building material), das Verpackungsmaterial (packaging material). So it's das Beweismaterial.

For the meaning: Break down the word: "Beweis" (proof/evidence) + "Material". It's simply the material that serves as proof. Imagine a detective with a suitcase full of material (photos, fingerprints, documents) used to prove (beweisen) a case.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

Beware of similar words:

• Beweisstück (das): Refers to a single item of evidence (e.g., the murder weapon as 'das Beweisstück').
• Indizien (die, plural): Clues or circumstantial evidence that suggest something but don't necessarily prove it.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Anwalt das ganze Brot mit ins Gericht gebracht?
Er brauchte mehr Beweismaterial gegen den Bäcker!

(Why did the lawyer bring all the bread to court?
He needed more evidence material (Beweismaterial -> also sounds like 'bread material') against the baker!)

✍️ Poem about Evidence Material

Im Saal der Wahrheit, still und fahl,
liegt auf dem Tisch das Material.
Ein Foto hier, ein Brief Papiers,
als stummer Zeuge dient es schier.
Es spricht von Schuld, von Unschuld rein,
das Beweismaterial, mal groß, mal klein.
Es fügt sich Stück für Stück zum Bild,
was wirklich war, wird so enthüllt.

(In the hall of truth, silent and pale,
lies on the table, the material.
A photo here, a paper letter,
as a silent witness, it serves rather.
It speaks of guilt, of innocence pure,
the evidence material, sometimes big, sometimes demure.
It fits piece by piece into the scene,
what truly happened, is thus seen.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich werde gesammelt, geprüft, gezeigt,
bin stumm, doch oft die Wahrheit neigt
sich durch mich hin zu Licht und Recht.
Mal bin ich gut, mal bin ich schlecht
(für den, der Unrecht hat getan).
Im Gerichtssaal fängt man mit mir an.

Was bin ich? (I am collected, examined, shown,
I'm mute, yet often truth is known
through me, towards light and right.
Sometimes I'm good, sometimes a blight
(for the one who has done wrong).
In the courtroom, proceedings start with me along.)

(Answer: das Beweismaterial)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Beweismaterial" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Der Beweis: The proof or evidence of a fact or claim.
• Das Material: The substance or matter something consists of; here in the sense of collected objects or information.

Tone: The word has a rather formal, objective tone and is rarely used in casual everyday language, unless discussing a crime case or a scientific investigation.