das  Zeugnis

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈt͡sɔʏ̯knɪs/

📜 What exactly is 'ein Zeugnis'?

The German word das Zeugnis (neuter gender) has several meanings, depending on the context:

• In school contexts: Here, das Zeugnis usually refers to a Schulzeugnis (school report card) or Abschlusszeugnis (leaving certificate/diploma), an official document detailing academic performance and grades. 🎓
  Example: Zum Halbjahr bekommen die Schüler ihr Zeugnis. (The students receive their report cards at mid-term.)
• In professional contexts: Ein Arbeitszeugnis is a testimonial or letter of reference from an employer assessing an employee's performance and conduct. 👨‍💼
  Example: Für die Bewerbung benötige ich ein gutes Zeugnis vom letzten Arbeitgeber. (I need a good reference from my last employer for the application.)
• In legal contexts: Here, Zeugnis means testimony or evidence given in court or to an authority (e.g., Zeugenaussage - witness testimony). It can also be a piece of evidence or proof. ⚖️
  Example: Sein Zeugnis vor Gericht war entscheidend. (His testimony in court was decisive.)
• In general contexts: It can also generally mean a Bescheinigung (certificate), Nachweis (proof), or a visible sign of something.
  Example: Die Ruinen legen Zeugnis von einer vergangenen Zeit ab. (The ruins bear witness to a bygone era.)

🚨 Although it has different meanings, the article always remains das.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar in Detail: Das Zeugnis

The noun „Zeugnis“ is neuter and follows the strong declension pattern. A specific feature is that the plural is usually „Zeugnisse“, although „Zeugnis“ (rarely, more for the meaning 'evidence') can occasionally be used.

📝 Example Sentences for Grammar

1. Er zeigte stolz sein gutes Zeugnis. (He proudly showed his good report card. - Accusative Singular)
2. Die Qualität des Zeugnisses war ausschlaggebend. (The quality of the testimonial was decisive. - Genitive Singular)
3. Die Lehrerin verteilte die Zeugnisse an die Schüler. (The teacher distributed the report cards to the students. - Accusative Plural)
4. Aufgrund vieler guter Zeugnisse bekam sie die Stelle. (Because of many good references, she got the job. - Dative Plural)

💡 How to Use „Zeugnis“?

The use of das Zeugnis strongly depends on the context:

• Everyday life (School/University): When people talk about „Zeugnis“, they usually mean the Schulzeugnis (school report card). You bekommen (get), erhalten (receive), zeigen (show), or haben (have) a Zeugnis.
• At work: Here, the Arbeitszeugnis (work testimonial/reference) is relevant. You anfordern (request) it, erhalten (receive) it, lesen (read) it, or beilegen (enclose) it with an application. Germans differentiate between a simple (einfaches) and a detailed (qualifiziertes) Arbeitszeugnis.
• In legal matters: Here, one speaks of Zeugnis as testimony (Zeugnis ablegen - to testify) or as evidence (Zeugnis für etwas sein - to be evidence of something).
• Figuratively: You can also say something legt Zeugnis ab von etwas (e.g., „Seine Leistung legt Zeugnis von seinem Fleiß ab.“), which means “is proof of” or “bears witness to”.

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Bescheinigung: Often simpler and shorter than a Zeugnis, usually just confirming participation or a specific fact (e.g., Teilnahmebescheinigung - certificate of attendance).
• Zertifikat: Often emphasizes a specific qualification or meeting certain standards (e.g., Sprachzertifikat - language certificate).
• Urkunde: A general term for an official document certifying a legal act or fact. A Zeugnis is a type of Urkunde.
• Gutachten: A detailed expert assessment or opinion.

🧠 Mnemonics for „das Zeugnis“

For the article (das): Many German nouns ending in -nis that denote a thing or abstract concept are neuter (das). Think of: das Ergebnis (the result), das Geheimnis (the secret), das Bedürfnis (the need) – and also das Zeugnis. The ending -nis is a strong clue for das.

For the meaning: Imagine you have to 'zeug'-en something (from the verb bezeugen - to witness, testify, prove). What you present or say to do this is your Zeugnis. Whether it testifies to your grades (school), your work (job), or an observation (court), it's always a Zeugnis.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Words

• Der Zeuge / die Zeugin: The witness (male/female) who gives testimony (ein Zeugnis ablegt).
• Zeugen (verb): To testify (etwas bezeugen), to generate/produce/procreate (etwas zeugen, e.g., Kinder zeugen - to father children).

😄 A Little Joke

German: Fragt die Mutter den kleinen Fritz nach seinem Zeugnis: „Na, Fritzchen, wie war das Zeugnis?“
Fritz: „Super, Mama! Hauptsache gesund!“

English Translation: The mother asks little Fritz about his report card: "Well, Fritzchen, how was the report card?"
Fritz: "Great, Mom! The main thing is I'm healthy!"

📜 A Poem about the Zeugnis

German:
Das Schuljahr ging, die Zeit verstrich,
am Ende gab's das Zeugnis schlicht.
Mit Zahlen drauf, mal gut, mal schlecht,
ein Blatt Papier, doch voller Recht?

Es zeigt, was man gelernt, getan,
ein Meilenstein auf Lebensbahn.
Ob Lob es bringt, ob Tadel nur,
es ist der Leistung Signatur.

English Translation:
The school year passed, time went by,
At the end, the simple report card arrived.
With numbers on it, sometimes good, sometimes bad,
A sheet of paper, but full of right?

It shows what one learned, what one did,
A milestone on life's path.
Whether it brings praise or only blame,
It is the signature of performance.

🤔 Little Riddle

German:
Ich komme am Ende, mal kurz, mal lang,
beurteile Leistung, Fleiß und Rang.
Mal bring ich Freude, mal auch Leid,
für Schule, Arbeit, jederzeit.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I come at the end, sometimes short, sometimes long,
I judge performance, diligence, and rank.
Sometimes I bring joy, sometimes also sorrow,
For school, work, anytime.

What am I? (Solution: das Zeugnis)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition (Etymology):

The word „Zeugnis“ derives from the verb „zeugen“, which originally meant “to make see”, “to indicate”, “to prove”. The suffix „-nis“ forms nouns that often express the result of an action or a state (like Ergebnis - result, Erlebnis - experience).

Common Compound Words:

• Arbeitszeugnis: Work reference/testimonial.
• Schulzeugnis: School report card.
• Abschlusszeugnis: Diploma or certificate of completion.
• Gesellenzeugnis/Meisterzeugnis: Certificates in crafts (journeyman/master craftsman).
• Führungszeugnis: Police clearance certificate / criminal record check.
• Armutszeugnis: Figuratively, proof of inability or failure (literally 'certificate of poverty').