die  Revision

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʁeviˈzi̯oːn/

🧐 What's Behind 'die Revision'?

The German word die Revision (feminine) has several meanings, mostly revolving around the theme of review or change after review:

• Review / Check / Examination: A careful examination or review of something to find errors, ensure quality, or assess its condition. This can refer to texts, technical equipment, processes, or accounts. (e.g., Textrevision - text revision, technische Revision - technical inspection, Kassenrevision - cash audit)
• Legal Appeal (Law): In a legal context, die Revision is a specific type of appeal against a judgment (usually from an appellate court), where only errors of law, not findings of fact, are reviewed. It's a check for the correct application of the law. 🏛️
• Audit / Financial Audit: The examination of a company's accounting records and financial statements by independent auditors. 💰
• Revised Version / Edition: A new, improved, or corrected version of a text, plan, software, or document. (e.g., die zweite Revision des Manuskripts - the second revision of the manuscript)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the precise meaning!

📝 Grammar & Declension of 'die Revision'

Die Revision is a feminine noun. Its declension follows the pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ion.

Example Sentences

1. Die Revision des Textes ergab zahlreiche Fehler.
   (The revision of the text revealed numerous errors.)
2. Der Anwalt legte Revision gegen das Urteil ein.
   (The lawyer filed an appeal [Revision] against the verdict.)
3. Die jährliche Revision der Finanzen steht an.
   (The annual audit of the finances is due.)
4. Dies ist die dritte Revision der Software.
   (This is the third revision of the software.)

🎯 Usage in Context

The use of die Revision strongly depends on the field:

• In everyday life / office: Often used for reviewing or correcting documents, plans, or texts. "Ich mache noch eine schnelle Revision des Berichts." (I'll do a quick revision of the report.)
• In Law: A very specific term for a legal remedy (appeal on points of law). It's important not to confuse it with die Berufung (a broader appeal which can also review facts). ⚖️
• In Business: Usually refers to the formal examination of accounts (audit). "Die externe Revision prüft die Bilanzen." (The external audit checks the balance sheets.)
• In Technology / IT: Can denote a technical inspection or a new version (Software-Revision, Hardware-Revision). ⚙️

Potential confusion sometimes arises with die Rezension (a critical review, e.g., of a book or film), which has a different focus.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Aid: Words ending in -ion in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of English words borrowed into German: die Nation, die Station, die Aktion... die Revision!

Meaning Aid: Imagine you have to re-view something, needing a new vision of it. A Revision is a 'seeing again' or 'looking again' to check or change something.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of 'die Revision'

Similar, but not identical words:

• Die Rezension: A critique or review (e.g., book, film). Not primarily about error checking.
• Die Inspektion: Often a technical check for safety or function.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Buchhalter immer einen Bleistift dabei?

Damit er jederzeit eine Revision machen kann – und alles wieder ausradieren! ✏️

(Why does the accountant always carry a pencil?

So he can perform a revision at any time – and erase everything again!)

✍️ Poem about Revision

Die Akte liegt bereit, so schwer,
Der Prüfer kommt, es ist nicht fair?
Doch nein, es ist die Revision,
Sie sucht nach Fehlern, gnadenlos schon.

Im Recht, da prüft sie nur das Recht,
Im Text den Satz, ob gut, ob schlecht.
Die Zahlen müssen stimmen klar,
Nach der Revision ist alles wahr.

(The file lies ready, so heavy,
The auditor comes, is it unfair already?
But no, it is the Revision,
Searching for errors, without remission.)

(In law, it checks only the law's decree,
In text the sentence, for all to see.
The numbers must clearly align,
After the revision, all is fine.)

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich prüfe Urteile, doch nur auf Papier,
Ob das Gesetz angewandt wurde hier.
Ich schaue Bücher durch, Zahl für Zahl,
Und mach' aus alt mach neu, manchmal brutal.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Die Revision

(I check verdicts, but only on paper,
Whether the law was applied here, not vapor.
I look through books, number by number, so keen,
And make old into new, sometimes quite mean.

What am I?)

(Solution: Die Revision)

🌐 Further Information

Word Origin (Etymology)

The word Revision comes from the Latin word revisio, meaning 'a seeing again' or 'reconsideration' (from re- = again and videre = to see).

Compound Words (Komposita)

Common compounds with Revision include:

• Revisionsbericht: audit report or review report.
• Revisionsverfahren: appeal proceedings (on points of law).
• Revisionsklappe: inspection hatch or access panel for technical maintenance or inspection.
• Revisionssicher: audit-proof or tamper-proof, designed so that subsequent changes are traceable (e.g., in accounting systems).