die  Kopie

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/koˈpiː/

📄 What does "die Kopie" mean?

The German word die Kopie (feminine) primarily means:

• A copy / duplication: The result of copying, usually documents (e.g., a photocopy - eine Fotokopie). Example: Ich brauche eine Kopie meines Zeugnisses. (I need a copy of my certificate.)
• A replica / reproduction: A duplicate or imitation of an original, e.g., a work of art or a file. Example: Das ist nur eine Kopie des berühmten Gemäldes. (That is only a copy of the famous painting.)
• An instance / exemplar: Sometimes used more generally for a single instance of something that exists multiple times (like digital files). Example: Hast du eine Kopie der Präsentation für mich? (Do you have a copy of the presentation for me?)

⚠️ Note: Colloquially, Germans often say „eine Kopie machen“ (to make a copy) instead of the verb „kopieren“ (to copy).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "die Kopie"

"Kopie" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Example Sentences

1. Kannst du mir bitte eine Kopie dieses Dokuments machen?
   (Can you please make a copy of this document for me?)
2. Die digitale Kopie der Datei wurde per E-Mail versandt.
   (The digital copy of the file was sent via email.)
3. Im Museum hängt nur eine Kopie, das Original ist im Tresor.
   (Only a copy hangs in the museum; the original is in the vault.)
4. Wir benötigen drei beglaubigte Kopien für den Antrag.
   (We need three certified copies for the application.)

💡 How to use "die Kopie"?

• In the office: Very common for photocopies (Fotokopien) of documents, reports, letters, etc. ("Machen Sie bitte fünf Kopien davon." - Please make five copies of this.).
• Digital context: For file copies (Dateikopien), backups (Sicherheitskopien), or duplicates of digital content ("digitale Kopie" - digital copy).
• Arts & Culture: Refers to replicas (Nachbildungen) of artworks, sculptures, or historical objects.
• Legal & Administrative: Certified copies (beglaubigte Kopien) of certificates or official documents are often required.

Distinction from other words:

• Original: The original work or document, not a copy.
• Duplikat: Often synonymous with Kopie, sometimes more specific for a second version (e.g., Schlüsselduplikat - duplicate key).
• Abschrift: A manually or machine-typed transcript of a text, not necessarily a 1:1 image copy.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Kopie"

Article Mnemonic

Think of the phrase: "She (die) makes the copies." The '-ie' ending in German nouns is often feminine, taking 'die'.

Meaning Mnemonic

A Kopie is like a paper (Papier) copy; it's often a piece of paper that's a duplicate. 'Kopie' sounds a bit like the English 'copy'.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms of "Kopie"

Similar but different words:

• Abschrift: A transcript, a written or typed copy of a text, not necessarily a photocopy.
• Faksimile: A facsimile, a very exact copy, often of historical documents or artworks.

😄 A little joke

Warum hat der Kopierer schlechte Laune?
(Why is the copier in a bad mood?)

Weil er immer alles nachmachen muss!
(Because it always has to copy everything / imitate everyone!)

✍️ Poem about the Kopie

Das Original, so stolz und rein,
(The original, so proud and pure,) doch oft muss eine Zweite sein.
(But often a second must ensure.) Ein Knopfdruck nur, ein heller Blitz,
(Just one button press, a flash so bright,) entsteht die Kopie, kein fauler Witz.
(Creates the copy, no lazy slight.) Für Akten, Briefe, Kunst und mehr,
(For files, letters, art and more,) gibt's Duplikate, bitte sehr!
(There are duplicates, here you go, for sure!)

❓ Riddle

Ich sehe aus wie mein Zwilling,
(I look just like my twin,)
bin aber nicht das Original, das ist mein Ding.
(But I'm not the original, that's my thing.)
Im Büro werde ich oft gemacht,
(In the office, I am often made,)
habe selten eigenen Wert, gib Acht!
(I rarely have my own value, be swayed!)

Was bin ich? / What am I? (Lösung / Solution: die Kopie)

✨ More about "die Kopie"

Compound words (Wortzusammensetzungen):

• Fotokopie: Photocopy - the most common type in offices.
• Sicherheitskopie: Backup copy - for data.
• Raubkopie: Pirated copy - an illegal copy (e.g., of software, movies).
• Beglaubigte Kopie: Certified copy - officially confirmed to match the original.

Etymology: The word "Kopie" comes from the Latin word "copia", which originally meant "supply" or "abundance". It entered German via the Middle Latin "copiare" (to transcribe).