das  Exemplar

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛksɛmˈplaːɐ̯/

📚 What exactly is 'ein Exemplar'?

Das Exemplar (noun, neuter) refers to a single item, a sample, or an individual copy from a set of similar things. It can relate to various contexts:

• A single book or printed work: "Ich habe ein seltenes Exemplar dieses Buches gefunden." (I found a rare copy/edition of this book.)
• An animal or plant as a representative of its species (often in science): "Dieses Exemplar des Schmetterlings ist besonders farbenprächtig." (This specimen of the butterfly is particularly colourful.)
• A sample piece or a typical example: "Dieses Möbelstück ist ein schönes Exemplar des Biedermeier-Stils." (This piece of furniture is a beautiful example/specimen of the Biedermeier style.)
• A single copy or version: "Bitte unterschreiben Sie beide Exemplare des Vertrags." (Please sign both copies of the contract.)

It often emphasizes the individuality or representativeness of a single object within a larger group or series.

🧐 Grammar of 'das Exemplar' in Detail

The word 'Exemplar' is a noun of neuter gender (das). It is declined as follows:

📝 Application Examples

1. Im Museum bewunderten wir ein gut erhaltenes Exemplar einer antiken Vase. (In the museum, we admired a well-preserved specimen/example of an ancient vase. - Accusative, Singular)
2. Der Biologe untersuchte die Merkmale des gefangenen Exemplars. (The biologist examined the characteristics of the captured specimen. - Genitive, Singular)
3. Von dieser limitierten Auflage existieren nur wenige Exemplare. (Only a few copies/examples of this limited edition exist. - Nominative, Plural)
4. Der Sammler bot den seltenen Exemplaren viel Geld. (The collector offered a lot of money for the rare specimens/copies. - Dative, Plural)

💡 How to use 'Exemplar'?

'Exemplar' is used to refer to a single, often representative or specific, element of a group.

• Context: Often used in relation to books, works of art, collectibles, scientific samples (Tiere, Pflanzen, Fossilien), documents, or products.
• Difference from 'Kopie': While 'Kopie' often means a reproduction, 'Exemplar' can also be an original or a single item from a series (e.g., the first copy of an edition). 'Exemplar' often sounds more formal or scientific than 'Stück' (piece) or 'Kopie' (copy).
• Difference from 'Muster': A 'Muster' (sample) is usually for demonstration or testing (e.g., fabric sample), whereas an 'Exemplar' is a complete individual item.
• Typical combinations: "ein seltenes Exemplar" (a rare specimen/copy), "ein nummeriertes Exemplar" (a numbered copy), "ein Prachtexemplar" (a prime specimen/magnificent example), "ein Belegexemplar" (a voucher copy/author's copy).

Example: "Der Verlag schickte dem Autor zehn Belegexemplare seines neuen Romans." (The publishing house sent the author ten complimentary copies of his new novel.)

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Exemplar'

Article Mnemonic (das)

Think of a neutral, specific item in a display case: "Look at das thing! Das special item!" – Words like 'Ding' (thing) or 'Stück' (piece) are often neuter in German, just like das Exemplar. It's THE one, specific item.

Meaning Mnemonic

Exemplar sounds very much like the English word "example". An Exemplar is often a typical example of its kind or a single example from a series.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Exempel: Means 'Beispiel' (example) in the sense of an illustration or a warning example ("ein Exempel statuieren" - to make an example of someone). Don't confuse them!

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Bibliothekar den Besucher: "Sie haben das Buch nun schon zum fünften Mal ausgeliehen. Gefällt es Ihnen so gut?"
Antwortet der Besucher: "Nicht direkt, aber in diesem Exemplar ist noch ein Geldschein als Lesezeichen."

Translation: The librarian asks the visitor: "You've borrowed this book for the fifth time now. Do you like it that much?"
The visitor replies: "Not really, but this particular copy still has a banknote in it as a bookmark."

📜 Poem about an 'Exemplar'

Ein Buch, schon alt, die Seiten weich,
Ein Exemplar, an Schätzen reich.
Von Hand zu Hand ging es umher,
Ein Einzelstück, kein gleiches mehr. Im Schmetterlingskasten, bunt und zart,
Ein Exemplar besond'rer Art.
Ein Zeuge der Natur, so schön,
Kann man als Muster hier es sehn.

Translation:
A book, quite old, the pages soft,
A specimen, with treasures aloft.
From hand to hand, it traveled far,
A single piece, beyond compare.
In the butterfly case, colorful and frail,
A specimen of a special trail.
A witness of nature, lovely to see,
As a sample, it stands for thee.

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Einzelner aus vielen,
Kann Buch, Vertrag, Tier oder Pflanze sein.
Man sammelt mich, um Arten zu erzielen,
Oder liest mich ganz allein.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a single one of many,
Can be a book, contract, animal, or plant.
People collect me to achieve species study,
Or read me all alone, that's my grant.

What am I?
(Answer: Das Exemplar)

✨ Other Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word comes from the Latin 'exemplar', meaning "transcript, copy, pattern, model, image". It is related to 'exemplum' ("example, pattern, model").
• Compounds: Popular compounds include "Prachtexemplar" (a particularly beautiful or typical specimen/example), "Belegexemplar" (a copy serving as proof, e.g., for authors or publishers - voucher copy, author's copy), or "Pflichtexemplar" (a mandatory copy that libraries are legally entitled to - legal deposit copy).