der Abschnitt
section
A part of a text, such as a chapter, paragraph, or thematically connected block.
EXAMPLE
Bitte lesen Sie den dritten Abschnitt auf Seite 45.
Please read the third section on page 45.
der Abschnitt
section
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Meanings
der Abschnitt
section
A limited part of a route, path, or river.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Abschnitt der Autobahn ist wegen Bauarbeiten gesperrt.
This section of the highway is closed due to construction work.
der Abschnitt
phase / period
A specific phase or period within a larger span of time, for example in a person's life.
EXAMPLE
Die Studienzeit war ein wichtiger Abschnitt in meinem Leben.
My time at university was an important phase in my life.
der Abschnitt
stub / detachable section
The detachable part of a form, ticket, or voucher that is often kept as proof or a receipt.
EXAMPLE
Bewahren Sie den unteren Abschnitt der Rechnung gut auf.
Please keep the lower section of the invoice in a safe place.
Usage tips
Word family
'Abschnitt' comes from the verb 'abschneiden' (to cut off). So an 'Abschnitt' is literally a part that has been 'cut off' or separated from a larger whole. This idea connects all of its meanings.
EXAMPLE
Schneiden Sie bitte einen Abschnitt vom Papier ab.
Please cut off a section of the paper.
Context clues
The context reveals the meaning: if it's about a 'Buch' (book) or a 'Text' (text), it means a part of the text. With 'Straße' (road) or 'Weg' (path), it refers to a section of a route. With 'Leben' (life) or 'Geschichte' (history/story), it means a phase of time.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Abschnitt des Buches ist besonders spannend.
This section of the book is especially exciting.
Typical collocations (text)
In the context of texts, 'Abschnitt' (section) is often combined with verbs like 'lesen' (to read), 'zitieren' (to quote), or 'überspringen' (to skip), and adjectives like 'kurz' (short), 'lang' (long), or 'wichtig' (important).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den letzten Abschnitt nicht verstanden.
I didn't understand the last section.
Use with forms
When it comes to forms, tickets, or vouchers, the 'Abschnitt' is the part that you detach and often keep as proof or a receipt. Typical verbs here are 'abtrennen' (to detach) and 'aufbewahren' (to keep).
EXAMPLE
Bitte trennen Sie den unteren Abschnitt ab und schicken Sie ihn an uns zurück.
Please detach the lower section and send it back to us.
Compare with
TeilStelleStückStreckePhaseZeitraumKapitelAbsatzAuszugSektorAusschnittPeriodeSektionAbrissEtappePassageSegmentStropheParagraphTeilstückPassusStreckenabschnitt
Abschnitt vs Teil
part
Both words can refer to a subsection of a text. „Teil“ is more general and can mean areas of different sizes that are not clearly delimited; „Abschnitt“ more often refers to a recognizable structural unit. For a clearly divided text, „Abschnitt“ is therefore often the better choice.
Abschnitt
Im letzten Abschnitt des Textes wird die Lösung erklärt.
The solution is explained in the final section of the text.
Teil
Der letzte Teil des Textes erklärt die Lösung noch einmal.
The final part of the text explains the solution once again.
In real life
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