01
der Abdruck
imprint
A mark or shape created by pressure on a surface.
example
Die Polizei sicherte die Fingerabdrücke am Tatort.
The police secured the fingerprints at the crime scene.
der Abdruck
imprint / print
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
'Abdruck' derives from the verb 'abdrucken' (to print/reproduce) and consists of 'ab-' and 'Druck' (pressure/print). It describes the result that occurs when something is transferred onto another surface through pressure (drücken) or through printing (drucken).
EXAMPLE
Der feuchte Sand zeigte den Abdruck seiner Schuhe.
The wet sand showed the imprint of his shoes.
Context clues
The context makes the meaning clear. Words like 'Polizei' (police), 'Spur' (trace), or 'Finger' (finger) point to a mark or trace. Words like 'Zeitung' (newspaper), 'Buch' (book), or 'Foto' (photo) point to a printed copy. 'Zahnarzt' (dentist) or 'Gebiss' (set of teeth) indicate the dental context.
EXAMPLE
Der Künstler erlaubte den Abdruck seines Bildes im Ausstellungskatalog.
The artist allowed the reproduction of his picture in the exhibition catalog.
Typical compounds
In the meaning of 'Spur' (trace/mark), 'Abdruck' is often part of compound nouns. The best known are 'der Fingerabdruck' (fingerprint) and 'der Fußabdruck' (footprint).
EXAMPLE
Für den neuen Reisepass musste ich meine Fingerabdrücke abgeben.
For the new passport, I had to provide my fingerprints.
Technical context
In a medical context, especially at the dentist's, 'Abdruck' almost always means the mold of the teeth. Typical verbs in this context are 'einen Abdruck machen' (to make an impression) or 'einen Abdruck nehmen' (to take an impression).
EXAMPLE
Der Kieferorthopäde macht einen Abdruck für die Zahnspange.
The orthodontist takes an impression for the braces.
Compare with
Abdruck vs Druck
pressure / printing
'der Druck' and 'der Abdruck' look similar and both have to do with pressing or printing, but they do not mean the same thing. 'Druck' can mean the force acting on a surface, or the process of printing. 'Abdruck', on the other hand, is often the result: a mark, a mold, or a printed reproduction. So you can make an Abdruck through Druck. The words are especially easy to confuse because 'Druck' names the cause or the process, while 'Abdruck' usually names the visible result.
Abdruck
Auf dem nassen Boden blieb ein deutlicher Abdruck von ihrem Schuh.
A clear imprint of her shoe was left on the wet floor.
Druck
Der Druck im Fahrradreifen ist zu niedrig.
The pressure in the bicycle tire is too low.
In real life
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