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.
swab
In medicine, the taking of a small amount of cells or bodily fluid from a surface for diagnostic testing.
Der Arzt machte einen Rachenabstrich, um auf eine Infektion zu testen.
The doctor took a throat swab to test for an infection.
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
Both der Test and der Abstrich can be part of a medical checkup. Abstrich refers to taking a sample, while Test refers to the procedure used to examine it and detect a condition. Use Abstrich for collecting the sample and Test for the subsequent examination.
Die Ärztin nimmt der untersuchten Person einen Abstrich aus dem Hals.
The doctor takes a swab from the person’s throat.
Der Test zeigt, ob die untersuchte Person eine Infektion hat.
The test shows whether the person being examined has an infection.
