deduction / swab
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to make concessions
To be satisfied with less than originally demanded or desired; to make compromises or give something up.
Beim Kauf des neuen Autos mussten wir bei der Ausstattung einige Abstriche machen.
When buying the new car, we had to make some concessions on the features.
The word comes from the separable verb 'abstreichen'. This can mean 'to cross something off a list' (to make a compromise) or 'to wipe material from a surface' (medical swab). The noun reflects these two meanings.
Wir mussten einige Punkte von unserer Wunschliste abstreichen.
We had to cross some items off our wish list.
The two main meanings can often be recognized by the number. The phrase 'Abstriche machen' in the plural almost always means to make compromises. The singular 'ein Abstrich' usually refers to the medical sample.
Wer günstig reisen will, muss bei der Unterkunft Abstriche machen.
If you want to travel cheaply, you have to make concessions on accommodation.
The meaning 'to make compromises' is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'Abstriche machen'. It is often supplemented with the preposition 'bei' to indicate what is being given up.
Wir mussten beim Komfort leider Abstriche machen.
Unfortunately, we had to make concessions on comfort.
In a medical context, 'der Abstrich' (the swab) is typically combined with the verbs 'machen' (to do/make), 'nehmen' (to take), or 'entnehmen' (to collect/take).
Die Ärztin hat bei mir einen Abstrich genommen.
The doctor took a swab from me.
test
'der Test' and 'der Abstrich' can both occur in a medical context. 'Test' is the more general word: you check whether a disease or a particular condition is present. 'Abstrich' more specifically means taking material, for example from the nose, throat, or another part of the body. This material is then examined. The words can be confused because a swab is often part of a test. In practical terms: the 'Abstrich' is the sample collection; the 'Test' is the examination or the procedure as a whole.
Die Ärztin macht einen Abstrich im Hals.
The doctor takes a swab from the throat.
Der Test zeigt, ob Paul eine Infektion hat.
The test shows whether Paul has an infection.