das  Zitat

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/t͡siˈtaːt/

📜 What does 'das Zitat' mean?

Das Zitat (noun, neuter) refers to a passage quoted literally or paraphrased from a text or speech. It is used to support statements, illustrate points, or refer to an authority.

• Wörtliches Zitat (Direct quote): An exact reproduction, usually enclosed in quotation marks („...“ or »...«).
• Sinngemäßes Zitat (Paraphrase): A summary of the content in one's own words, often introduced with phrases like „laut [author]...“ (according to [author]...) or „wie [source] darlegt...“ (as [source] explains...).

⚠️ Correct citation (Quellenangabe) is important to avoid plagiarism (Plagiat).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Zitat

The word "Zitat" is a neuter noun and takes the article das.

Beispielsätze (Example Sentences):

1. Der Redner begann seine Ansprache mit einem bekannten Zitat von Goethe.
   (The speaker began his address with a well-known quote by Goethe.)
2. In wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten müssen alle Zitate korrekt belegt werden.
   (In academic papers, all quotes must be correctly cited.)
3. Kannst du mir das genaue Zitat nennen?
   (Can you give me the exact quote?)
4. Die Politikerin verwendete oft Zitate aus der Verfassung.
   (The politician often used quotes from the constitution.)

🗣️ How is 'das Zitat' used?

Das Zitat is used in various contexts:

• Akademischer Bereich (Academic field): In scholarly works (Hausarbeiten, Dissertationen) to support arguments and engage with research literature.
• Journalismus (Journalism): To reproduce statements from interviewees or other sources.
• Literatur und Film (Literature and Film): Quotes from famous works are often used for characterization or to create a specific atmosphere.
• Alltagssprache (Everyday language): Well-known quotes or idioms (geflügelte Worte) are often used in daily conversation to make a point or comment humorously on a situation.

Distinctions:

• Zitat vs. Anführungszeichen: Das Zitat is the content (the quoted passage), while Anführungszeichen („“ or »«) are the punctuation marks indicating a direct quote.
• Zitat vs. Motto: A motto is often a short guiding principle expressing a particular attitude or intention. It can be a Zitat, but doesn't have to be.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Zitat'

Article Mnemonic: Think of neutral concepts like "the thing said" or "the passage" that is reproduced in a quote. Neutral things often take das in German. Das Zitat.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone saying, "I ci-tat this evidence!" (sounds like Zitat). They are citing or quoting evidence.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but different terms:

• Zitatzeichen / Anführungszeichen: (Quotation marks) The punctuation („ “), not the content.
• Referenz / Quellenangabe: (Reference / Source citation) The information about the origin of the quote.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum sind Zitate so beliebt bei faulen Autoren?
– Weil jemand anderes schon die ganze Denk-Arbeit geleistet hat! 😉

(Why are quotes so popular with lazy authors?
– Because someone else has already done all the thinking!) 😉

✍️ Poem about the Quote

Ein kluger Kopf, vor langer Zeit,
sprach Worte voller Gültigkeit.
Willst du sie nutzen, klug und schlau,
nimmst du das Zitat ganz genau.
Mit Quelle, klar und ohne Trug,
ist's Wissen, nicht Betrug.

(A clever mind, long time ago,
Spoke words whose validity did glow.
If you want to use them, smart and keen,
Take the quote precisely, make it clean.
With source cited, clear and true,
It's knowledge, not deceit for you.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich leihe mir die Worte aus,
von Goethe, Schiller, Maus.
Steh oft in Zeichen, klein und fein,
will nur ein Abbild anderer sein.
Was bin ich?

(I borrow words, you see,
From Goethe, Schiller, or a flea.
Often stand in marks, small and neat,
Just want to be another's repeat.
What am I?)

Solution: Das Zitat (The Quote)

💡 More Tidbits

Etymology: The word "Zitat" comes from the Latin verb citare, meaning “to summon,” “to call forward,” but also “to cite” or “to quote.”

Direktes vs. Indirektes Zitat (Direct vs. Indirect Quote):

• Direct quote: Literal reproduction in quotation marks. E.g., Er sagte: „Ich komme später.“ (He said: “I'll come later.”)
• Indirect quote (Indirekte Rede): Paraphrased reproduction, often using the subjunctive mood (Konjunktiv). E.g., Er sagte, er komme später. (He said he would come later.)

Legal Aspect (in Germany): The Zitatrecht (§ 51 UrhG - Copyright Act) permits the use of quotations under certain conditions without the author's permission, e.g., for scientific or critical purposes, provided the source is acknowledged.