submission / fee
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submission
The submitting or handing in of something, for example an assignment, a document, or an application.
Der Termin für die Abgabe der Steuererklärung ist der 31. Juli.
The deadline for submitting the tax return is July 31.
fee / levy
An amount of money that must be paid to the state or another public institution, such as a tax or fee.
Die sozialen Abgaben werden direkt vom Bruttogehalt abgezogen.
Social security contributions are deducted directly from the gross salary.
dispensing / sale
The distribution or sale of goods to customers or other people.
Die Abgabe von Medikamenten ist nur in Apotheken erlaubt.
The dispensing of medication is only permitted in pharmacies.
pass
In sports, passing the ball to a teammate.
Nach seiner schnellen Abgabe fiel das entscheidende Tor.
After his quick pass, the decisive goal was scored.
'Die Abgabe' (submission/fee) is the noun form of the separable verb 'abgeben' (to hand in/give away). The prefix 'ab-' here has the meaning of 'away' or 'onward', so it refers to giving something away or passing it on.
Ich muss meine Schlüssel an der Rezeption abgeben.
I have to hand in my keys at the reception desk.
The meaning is easy to infer from the context: if it is about a deadline, it means submission (m01). If it is about money for the state, it means taxes or fees (m02). If it is about sports, it means a pass (m04).
Die Abgabe der Projektarbeit ist nächste Woche.
The submission of the project paper is next week.
In the context of school, university, or work, 'Abgabe' (submission) is often combined with words for deadlines. Important compounds are 'der Abgabetermin' (submission date/deadline) and 'die Abgabefrist' (submission deadline).
Bitte halten Sie die Abgabefrist für das Dokument ein.
Please meet the submission deadline for the document.
When it is about money for the state, the plural 'die Abgaben' (taxes/fees/contributions) is often used. A very common fixed expression is 'Steuern und Abgaben' (taxes and contributions).
Jeder Arbeitnehmer muss Steuern und Abgaben zahlen.
Every employee has to pay taxes and contributions.
When referring to the distribution or sale of goods, 'Abgabe' (dispensing/distribution) is often connected with a condition or restriction, for example 'Abgabe nur in kleinen Mengen' (dispensing only in small quantities) or 'Abgabe nur an Volljährige' (sale only to adults).
Die Abgabe dieses Medikaments erfolgt nur gegen Rezept.
This medication is dispensed only with a prescription.
task / function / surrender
When referring to a postal item, both words can describe handing something over. Aufgabe is the specific postal process of handing in a letter or package at a postal service, while Abgabe refers more generally to handing something over. In a postal context, Aufgabe is therefore more precise; outside that context, Abgabe is usually the better choice.
Bei der Abgabe des Pakets überreichte ich dem Mitarbeiter auch den Rücksendeschein.
When I handed in the package, I also gave the employee the return slip.
Für die Aufgabe des Pakets musste ich in der Postfiliale eine Nummer ziehen.
To mail the package, I had to take a number at the post office.
