die  Korrektur

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔʁɛkˈtuːɐ̯/

✍️ What exactly is a Korrektur?

Die Korrektur (feminine, plural: die Korrekturen) means the process or result of fixing errors or defects. It often refers to correcting mistakes in texts, calculations, plans, or even behaviour.

• Text correction (Textkorrektur): Fixing spelling, grammar, or style errors in a written document (e.g., essay, book manuscript, exam paper). This is often called proofreading (Korrekturlesen).
• Error correction (Fehlerkorrektur): Correcting errors in technical systems, data, or processes.
• Course correction (Kurskorrektur): A change in direction or strategy to better achieve a goal.

The word comes from the Latin correctura, meaning "correction". It is always feminine: die Korrektur.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Korrektur

The noun „Korrektur“ is feminine. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Lehrerin nimmt die Korrektur der Klassenarbeiten vor. (The teacher undertakes the correction of the class tests.)
2. Trotz sorgfältiger Korrektur blieben einige Fehler unentdeckt. (Despite careful correction, some errors remained undiscovered.)
3. Nach der Korrektur wurde der Text veröffentlicht. (After the correction, the text was published.)
4. Ich habe die notwendige Korrektur am Dokument vorgenommen. (I made the necessary correction to the document.)
5. Die zahlreichen Korrekturen verbesserten den Bericht erheblich. (The numerous corrections significantly improved the report.)
6. Die Liste der Korrekturen war lang. (The list of corrections was long.)
7. Wir arbeiten gerade an den letzten Korrekturen. (We are currently working on the final corrections.)
8. Der Verlag schickte die finalen Korrekturen zurück. (The publisher sent back the final corrections.)

💡 How "Korrektur" is Used

„Korrektur“ is used in many contexts, usually when it comes to eliminating errors:

• Schule & Universität (School & University): Correction of exams, homework, academic papers.
• Verlagswesen & Journalismus (Publishing & Journalism): Proofreading (Korrekturlesen) of manuscripts, articles before publication.
• Beruf & Technik (Work & Technology): Correction of reports, plans, software bugs (Bugfixing), measured values.
• Alltag (Everyday life): Correction of a false statement, an incorrect bill.
• Strategie & Planung (Strategy & Planning): Making a course correction (Kurskorrektur) in projects or company strategies.

Distinction: While „Korrektur“ primarily means the elimination of errors, „Verbesserung“ (improvement) can also mean optimizing something that is already functioning or acceptable. A Korrektur is therefore a specific type of Verbesserung.

🧠 Memory Aids for Korrektur

Article Mnemonic: Think of related German words ending in "-ung" like „die Berichtigung“ (the correction/rectification) or „die Richtigstellung“ (the clarification/correction) – words ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine (die). While Korrektur doesn't end in -ung, its meaning is very similar. You could also link it to other feminine nouns ending in -ur, like 'die Struktur' (structure) or 'die Zensur' (censorship/grade).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone making a correct tour through a text with a red pen, fixing errors. A Korrektur puts things on the right track.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Revision: A review or re-examination that *can* lead to corrections, but doesn't have to.
• Änderung: A change or modification, which doesn't necessarily have to be a correction.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: „Fritzchen, warum sind in deinem Aufsatz so viele Korrekturen von deinem Vater?“
Fritzchen: „Weil Sie auch immer so viele Fehler machen, Herr Lehrer!“

Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why are there so many corrections from your father in your essay?"
Fritzchen: "Because you always make so many mistakes too, teacher!"

📜 Poem about Korrektur

Der rote Stift, er tanzt geschwind,
Wo Fehler sich im Texte find'.
Ein Komma falsch, ein Wort verdreht,
Die Korrektur hat's ausgespäht.

Sie glättet, bessert, stellt es klar,
Was vorher wirr und fehlerhaft war.
So wird der Sinn am End' erst rein,
dank ihr, der wachsamen Wächterin.

The red pen, it dances swiftly,
Where errors in the text are found.
A comma wrong, a word twisted,
The correction has spied it out.

It smooths, improves, makes it clear,
What before was confused and flawed.
Thus the meaning finally becomes pure,
Thanks to it, the watchful guardian.

🕵️‍♀️ A Riddle

Ich mache Falsches wieder richtig,
bin für den Text und Plan sehr wichtig.
Mal bin ich klein, mal bin ich groß,
was Fehler schuf, das werd' ich los.

Was bin ich?

I make wrong things right again,
I'm very important for the text and plan.
Sometimes I'm small, sometimes I'm big,
What errors created, I get rid of.

What am I?

Solution: die Korrektur (the correction)

🌐 More Information

Wortherkunft (Etymology): The word „Korrektur“ comes from the Latin verb corrigere ("to straighten", "to improve") and the derived noun correctura ("correction"). It entered German via French.

Zusammensetzungen (Compounds): There are many compound words with „Korrektur“, e.g.:

• Korrekturlesen (proofreading)
• Korrekturabzug (proof sheet/galley proof)
• Korrekturzeichen (proofreader's marks)
• Fehlerkorrektur (error correction)
• Kurskorrektur (course correction)

Verb: The related verb is korrigieren (to correct).