die  Unterschrift

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʊntɐʃʁɪft/

✍️ What does "die Unterschrift" mean?

Die Unterschrift (feminine noun, plural: die Unterschriften) means signature. It refers to a person's handwritten name or initials placed at the bottom of a document (e.g., a Vertrag - contract, Brief - letter, Scheck - check) as a sign of authorship, approval, or confirmation. It serves for identification and authentication.

The word only uses the article die, so its meaning is straightforward. 🚨 Be careful not to confuse it with die Schrift (writing, script, font).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar Details of "die Unterschrift"

Unterschrift is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables (Deklinationstabellen):

📝 Example Sentences

• Bitte setzen Sie Ihre Unterschrift hier unten auf den Vertrag. (Please put your signature down here on the contract.)
• Die Echtheit der Unterschrift wurde überprüft. (The authenticity of the signature was verified.)
• Mir fehlen noch zwei Unterschriften für meine Petition. (I still need two signatures for my petition.)
• Mit seiner Unterschrift bestätigte er den Erhalt des Pakets. (With his signature, he confirmed receipt of the package.)

When to use "die Unterschrift"? 🤔

The term die Unterschrift is used in many formal and official contexts:

• Contracts and Agreements (Verträge und Vereinbarungen): A signature makes a document legally binding (e.g., Mietvertrag - rental agreement, Arbeitsvertrag - employment contract).
• Letters and Correspondence (Briefe und Korrespondenz): A formal letter often ends with a signature.
• Official Procedures (Behördengänge): Applications (Anträge) and forms (Formulare) almost always require a signature.
• Banking (Bankwesen): Checks (Schecks), transfers (Überweisungen), and other bank documents must be signed.
• Autographs (Autogramme): The signature of a famous person is also called an Autogramm (often used synonymously with Signatur in this context).

In the digital age, there's also the digitale or elektronische Unterschrift (digital or electronic signature), which serves a similar purpose but is implemented differently technologically.

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Unterschrift"

For the article (die): Think of the phrase "Died for a signature!" - okay, a bit dramatic, but the 'Die' helps remember the feminine article. Or, signatures are often seen as a requirement, a binding thing - many feminine nouns in German end in -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft... 'Schrift' itself ends in 't', common for feminine nouns derived from verbs ('schreiben'). Associate die with official procedures, which often feel feminine/bureaucratic.

For the meaning (signature): It literally means "under-writing". Imagine writing your name under the main text - an Unter-schrift.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

Synonyms (Similar Meaning):

• Die Signatur: Often used synonymously, sometimes more common in artistic or technical contexts (e.g., E-Mail-Signatur - email signature).
• Das Autogramm: Specifically the signature of a famous person, often collected as a souvenir.
• Die Paraphe: Initials or a short sign, often used for internal confirmation, not always accepted as a full legal signature.
• Das Handzeichen: Similar to Paraphe, often a simple mark instead of the full name.

Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):

• Die Anonymität: Anonymity, the state of not being named, the opposite of identification via signature.
• (ohne Unterschrift / ununterschrieben): (without signature / unsigned), describes a document lacking confirmation.

⚠️ Caution: Die Schrift means 'writing' or 'font', not 'signature'.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: „Können Sie eigentlich auch unterschreiben?“ Sagt der Mitarbeiter: „Ja, klar. Wie heißen Sie denn?“

Translation: The boss asks the new employee: "Can you actually sign your name?" The employee replies: "Yes, sure. What's your name then?"

📜 Poetry about Signature

Ein Strich, ein Zug, geschwind gesetzt,
Auf Papier, das man zuletzt
Mit Namen ziert, ganz individuell,
Die Unterschrift, sie wirkt ganz schnell.
Ob Vertrag, ob Brief, ob Kunst am Bild,
Sie zeigt, wer's war, ganz ungestillt.

Translation:
A line, a stroke, swiftly placed,
On paper, that one lastly graced
With a name, quite individual,
The signature, it works so quick and full.
Be it contract, letter, or art's display,
It shows who did it, come what may.

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich steh' am Ende, nie am Start,
Bestätige auf meine Art.
Mal krakelig, mal elegant und fein,
Ohne mich ist's oft nicht rechtskräftig – wer mag ich sein?

Translation:
I stand at the end, never at the start,
I confirm in my own way, playing my part.
Sometimes scrawled, sometimes elegant and fine,
Without me, it's often not legally binding – who might I be?

Solution: die Unterschrift (the signature)

💡 More To Know

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung): The word "Unterschrift" is composed of:

• unter: Preposition/prefix, here meaning 'under' or 'beneath'.
• die Schrift: Noun meaning 'writing', 'script', or 'font'.

So, literally: "something that is placed under the writing".

Historically: The need for signatures grew with the increase in written contracts and bureaucracy. In earlier times, seals (Siegel) were often used instead.

Digitalization (Digitalisierung): Today, electronic and digital signatures (elektronische und digitale Signaturen) are becoming increasingly important for making documents legally valid online.