die  Bescheinigung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈʃaɪ̯nɪɡʊŋ/

📜 What exactly is a Bescheinigung?

Die Bescheinigung (noun, feminine) refers to an official or formal written document that confirms a specific fact, participation, characteristic, or achievement. It serves as proof or evidence (Nachweis or Beleg).

Basically, it's a written confirmation about something. You need a Bescheinigung in many situations, for example, from a doctor (vom Arzt), an employer (vom Arbeitgeber), or a public authority (von einer Behörde).

⚠️ Attention: Although similar, a Bescheinigung is often less comprehensive than a Zeugnis (e.g., school report card) or a Zertifikat (often awarded after an examination).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Die Bescheinigung in Detail

The word "Bescheinigung" is a feminine noun. The article is die. The plural is "die Bescheinigungen".

📝 Example Sentences

1. Für die Anmeldung benötigen Sie eine Bescheinigung des Einwohnermeldeamtes.
   (For the registration, you need a certificate from the residents' registration office.)
2. Der Arzt stellte mir eine ärztliche Bescheinigung über meine Arbeitsunfähigkeit aus.
   (The doctor issued me a medical certificate for my inability to work.)
3. Bitte legen Sie alle notwendigen Bescheinigungen bei.
   (Please enclose all necessary certificates/attestations.)
4. Ohne diese Bescheinigung können wir Ihren Antrag nicht bearbeiten.
   (Without this certificate, we cannot process your application.)

💡 Everyday Usage

"Die Bescheinigung" is a very common word in German administrative and professional life (Verwaltungs- und Berufsalltag). You encounter it frequently in official contexts:

• Workplace (Arbeitswelt): Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung (sick note from a doctor), Bescheinigung über Nebentätigkeiten (certificate of secondary employment), Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (income tax statement).
• Authorities (Behörden): Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), Staatsangehörigkeitsbescheinigung (certificate of citizenship), Bescheinigung über die Geburt (birth certificate).
• Education (Bildung): Teilnahmebescheinigung (certificate of participation for a course), Immatrikulationsbescheinigung (certificate of enrollment for students).
• Health (Gesundheit): Ärztliche Bescheinigung (medical certificate).

Compared to synonyms:

• Bestätigung: Can also be verbal and is often less formal. A Bescheinigung is always written and usually official.
• Nachweis: Similar, but 'Nachweis' emphasizes the aspect of proof more strongly.
• Attest: Often used synonymously with ärztliche Bescheinigung.
• Zertifikat: Often refers to qualifications or the authenticity/quality of a product after testing.

🧠 Mnemonics for Bescheinigung

For the article 'die': Many German nouns ending in -ung are feminine. Think of: die Prüfung (the exam), die Meinung (the opinion), die Hoffnung (the hope) – and also die Bescheinigung. The ending "-ung" is a strong indicator for 'die'!

For the meaning: A Bescheinigung brings light (Schein means 'shine' or 'appearance') to a situation. It bestätigt (confirms) something that might only be apparent (scheinbar) and makes it officially visible. It certifies or attests to something.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Watch out for confusion: Don't confuse with "Schein" (e.g., Geldschein - banknote, but also 'appearance') or the archaic verb "bescheinen" ('to confirm').

😂 A Little Joke

Warum braucht ein Blatt Papier eine Bescheinigung, um offiziell zu sein?

Damit es beweisen kann, dass es nicht nur irgendein Gekritzel ist, sondern ein Gekritzel mit Stempel und Unterschrift! 😉

(Why does a piece of paper need a certificate to be official?)

(So it can prove it's not just any old scribble, but a scribble with a stamp and signature!) 😉

✍️ Poem about the Bescheinigung

Ein Blatt Papier, ganz schlicht und weiß,
wird wichtig durch den Amtsbeweis.
Mit Stempel drauf und Signatur,
ist's die Bescheinigung, glaub's nur!
Sie sagt dir klar, was Sache ist,
damit du nichts Wichtiges vergisst.
Ob krank, ob da, ob angestellt,
sie zählt in dieser deutschen Welt.

(A sheet of paper, plain and white,
becomes important through official might.
With stamp upon it and signature,
it's die Bescheinigung, believe it for sure!
It tells you clearly what is true,
so you don't miss what you must do.
Whether sick, present, or employed,
it counts in this German world.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Stück Papier, oft klein,
doch ohne mich kommst du nicht rein.
Ich bestätige, was wahr soll sein,
vom Amt, vom Arzt, mal grob, mal fein.
Ich trage Stempel, manch Datum,
und kläre auf, frag nicht warum.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: die Bescheinigung

(I am a piece of paper, often small,
but without me, you might hit a wall.
I confirm what should be true,
from office, doctor; for tasks you do.
I bear stamps, sometimes a date,
and clarify, don't ask why, just state.)

(What am I?)

(Answer: die Bescheinigung)

🧩 Word Building Blocks

The word "Bescheinigung" is composed of:

• be-: A prefix often indicating an action performed on an object (etwas bescheinigen - to certify something).
• schein(en): The verb 'scheinen' (here in the sense of 'to make apparent', 'to attest', related to 'to shine' like the sun - making something visible).
• -ung: A suffix that turns verbs into nouns, often denoting a process or its result. It typically makes the noun feminine.

So: The process or result of 'attesting' or 'making visible' -> die Bescheinigung.