das  Dokument

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/dɔkuˈmɛnt/

📄 What exactly is a 'Dokument'?

Das Dokument (noun, neuter) generally refers to a piece of writing, an official paper, or a file that records information and often serves as proof or evidence. It can be physical paper or a digital file.

• Schriftstück/Urkunde: An official paper like a Vertrag (contract), a Geburtsurkunde (birth certificate), or a Zeugnis (certificate/report card).
• Datei: A digital file on a computer or other storage medium (e.g., Textdokument, PDF, image file).

🚨 Important: The word 'Dokument' in German always uses the article 'das'. There are no other articles for this word.

Article rules for der, die, and das

Grammar Check: Declining 'Das Dokument' Correctly

The noun 'Dokument' is neuter and is declined accordingly.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Bitte reichen Sie das Dokument bis morgen ein. (Please submit the document by tomorrow. - Accusative Singular)
2. Der Inhalt des Dokuments ist vertraulich. (The content of the document is confidential. - Genitive Singular)
3. Ich habe die Änderungen dem Dokument hinzugefügt. (I added the changes to the document. - Dative Singular)
4. Die Dokumente liegen auf dem Schreibtisch. (The documents are on the desk. - Nominative Plural)
5. Die Prüfung der Dokumente dauert noch an. (The examination of the documents is still ongoing. - Genitive Plural)

Usage in Daily Life: When to use 'das Dokument'?

'Das Dokument' is a very common word in many contexts:

• Office and Work: Verträge (contracts), Berichte (reports), Protokolle (minutes), Rechnungen (invoices) (e.g., „Ich sende Ihnen das Dokument per E-Mail.“ - I'll send you the document by email.)
• Authorities and Administration: Anträge (applications), Bescheide (official notices), Ausweise (ID cards), Urkunden (certificates) (e.g., „Für den Antrag benötigen Sie verschiedene Dokumente.“ - You need various documents for the application.)
• Computers and Technology: Text files, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs (e.g., „Speichere das Dokument regelmäßig!“ - Save the document regularly!)
• History and Research: Historical writings, manuscripts, records (e.g., „Dieses Dokument belegt die damaligen Ereignisse.“ - This document proves the events of that time.)

It's a neutral and formal term but can also be used informally for simple notes or files.

Distinction: While 'Dokument' often implies an official or important piece of writing, 'Unterlage' (often plural: 'Unterlagen') can be more general, including notes or drafts. 'Akte' usually refers to a file containing a collection of documents about a specific case or topic.

Memory Aids for 'das Dokument'

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'the data'. Data is often neutral, abstract, like the neuter gender 'das'. A Dokument often contains data. So, das Dokument holds the data.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone saying, "Do cue men to bring the papers!" 'Do cue men' sounds a bit like 'Dokument', and it involves bringing important papers (documents).

Expanding Vocabulary: Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Dokumentation: (Documentation) The process of documenting or a collection of documents on a topic (e.g., project documentation).
• Dokumentarfilm: (Documentary film) A film presenting facts.

😂 A Little Office Joke

German: Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: „Haben Sie schon Erfahrung mit verschiedenen Dokumentenformaten wie Word, PDF und Excel?“ Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: „Ja klar! Ich verliere sie alle gleich gut!“

English: The boss asks the new employee: "Do you have experience with different document formats like Word, PDF, and Excel?" The employee replies: "Sure! I'm equally good at losing all of them!"

📜 A Poem about the Document

German:
Ein Blatt, beschrieben, schwarz auf weiß,
Das Dokument, als stummer Beweis.
Mal Vertrag, mal wichtiger Brief,
Mal digital, im Daten-Riff.

Es hält fest, was sonst verweht,
Was war, was ist, was noch besteht.
Ob alt, ob neu, ob groß, ob klein,
Es schließt oft Wissen in sich ein.

English:
A page described, in black and white,
The document, a silent proof of might.
Sometimes a contract, sometimes a vital letter,
Sometimes digital, in data's fetter.

It holds fast what might otherwise fade,
What was, what is, what's yet been made.
Whether old or new, large or small,
It often captures knowledge for all.

🤔 What Am I?

German:
Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann viel erzählen.
Ich habe keine Beine, doch kann weit reisen (digital oder per Post).
Ich kann Beweis sein, Vertrag oder Bericht,
Mal bin ich aus Papier, mal nur ein digitales Licht.

Was bin ich?
Antwort: Das Dokument

English:
I have no mouth, yet I can tell much.
I have no legs, yet I can travel far (digitally or by mail).
I can be proof, a contract, or a report's touch,
Sometimes I'm paper, sometimes just a digital star.

What am I?
Answer: Das Dokument (The document)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word 'Dokument' comes from the Latin word 'documentum', meaning 'lesson, proof, example', derived from 'docere' (to teach, to instruct).
• Compounds: There are many compound words with 'Dokument' in German, such as Geheimdokument (secret document), Reisedokument (travel document), Textdokument (text document), Dokumentenmappe (document folder), Dokumentenmanagement (document management).
• Related Verbs: The corresponding verb is 'dokumentieren', meaning 'to document', 'to record in writing', or 'to substantiate'.