die  Abschrift

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌʃʁɪft/

📜 What Exactly is an Abschrift?

The German noun die Abschrift (feminine, article 'die') refers to a copy or a verbatim transcript of an original text. Its purpose is to duplicate or preserve the content of a document.

• Copy of a document: An Abschrift can be a handwritten, typewritten, or digital copy. Example: eine beglaubigte Abschrift des Zeugnisses (a certified copy of the certificate).
• Transcription: Sometimes Abschrift also refers to the transcription of a spoken speech into written form. Example: die Abschrift einer Gerichtsverhandlung (the transcript of a court hearing).

⚠️ Note: A simple photocopy is often just called 'Kopie'. 'Abschrift' often implies a careful, verbatim transfer, sometimes with legal significance (e.g., beglaubigte Abschrift - certified copy).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Abschrift

The noun 'Abschrift' is feminine. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Ich benötige eine beglaubigte Abschrift meines Abiturzeugnisses. (I need a certified copy of my high school diploma. - Accusative Singular)
2. Der Anwalt prüfte die Abschrift des Protokolls sorgfältig. (The lawyer carefully checked the transcript of the protocol. - Accusative Singular)
3. Die Echtheit der Abschrift wurde bestätigt. (The authenticity of the copy was confirmed. - Genitive Singular)
4. Das Archiv verwahrt zahlreiche alte Abschriften. (The archive stores numerous old copies/transcripts. - Accusative Plural)
5. Mit diesen Abschriften können wir arbeiten. (We can work with these copies/transcripts. - Dative Plural)

✍️ How to Use 'Abschrift'?

The term 'Abschrift' is frequently used in formal, official, or legal contexts.

• Official context: Authorities often require beglaubigte Abschriften (certified copies) of important documents (e.g., birth certificates, diplomas).
• Legal context: In court proceedings, Abschriften (transcripts) of minutes or evidence are produced.
• Historical/Literary context: Monks in the Middle Ages made Abschriften (copies) of books.
• General use: Even in everyday life, one might speak of an Abschrift when referring to an exact copy, e.g., eine Abschrift eines Briefes (a copy of a letter).

Distinction:

• Kopie: Often more general and less formal than Abschrift. Can also be a photocopy.
• Original/Urschrift: The original document from which the Abschrift is made.
• Duplikat/Zweitschrift: Also a copy, often with an official character, sometimes used synonymously with Abschrift.

🧠 Mnemonics for Abschrift

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'the script' or 'the copy'. 'Abschrift' ends in '-schrift', and many German nouns ending in '-schrift' are feminine (die Zeitschrift - magazine, die Unterschrift - signature). Therefore: die Abschrift.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Ab-schrift' sounds like 'off-script' or 'copied from the script'. You take the text from the original ('ab-') and write it ('Schrift') – creating a copy, an Abschrift.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Potential Confusion:

• Anschrift: Means address (die Anschrift). Don't mix them up!
• Aufschrift: Means inscription or label on an object (die Aufschrift).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef seinen neuen Azubi: "Können Sie mir bitte eine Abschrift von diesem Dokument machen?"
Azubi: "Klar, Chef! Soll ich es abschreiben oder gleich das Original klauen?" 😉

Translation:
The boss asks his new apprentice: "Could you please make a copy (Abschrift) of this document for me?"
Apprentice: "Sure, boss! Should I copy it down or just steal the original?" 😉

📄 A Poem about Abschrift

Das Original liegt schwer und alt,
Sein Inhalt wertvoll, vielgestalt.
Doch für das Amt, fürs Archiv,
Braucht's einen Klon, ganz akribisch.

Man nimmt das Blatt, tippt Wort für Wort,
An einem andren, neuen Ort.
So entsteht, mit Sorgfalt und mit Frist,
Die treue Kopie – die Abschrift ist's.

Translation:
The original lies heavy and old,
Its content precious, manifold.
But for the office, for the file,
A clone is needed, with great style (meticulously).

One takes the page, types word by word,
In another place, newly stirred.
Thus emerges, with care and timely tryst,
The faithful copy – it's the Abschrift.

🕵️‍♀️ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich bin nicht das Erste, doch dem Ersten gleich.
Ich zeige den Inhalt, ob arm oder reich.
Man braucht mich für Ämter, fürs Studium, fürs Recht.
Bin ich beglaubigt, bin ich gar nicht schlecht.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Abschrift

Translation:
I am not the first, yet like the first I seem.
I show the content, fulfilling a theme.
Needed for offices, studies, and law's decree.
If I am certified, I'm good quality.

What am I?

Solution: die Abschrift (the copy/transcript)

🧩 Further Details

Word Composition:

The word 'Abschrift' is composed of:

• Prefix 'ab-': Here expresses an origin or copying/detaching from something.
• Root word 'Schrift': Refers to writing, the text.

So, literally: Something taken 'from the writing'.

Trivia:

Before the invention of printing and later photocopiers, manually creating Abschriften was the only way to duplicate texts. This was a tedious but vital task, especially in monasteries (scriptoriums).