act
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act
An individual artistic performance or program item as part of a larger event, especially in the music or show business.
Der letzte Act des Abends war ein weltberühmter DJ.
The last act of the evening was a world-famous DJ.
'Act' is a word that was taken directly from English. It is therefore also pronounced in the English way ([ækt]).
Der nächste Act auf der Bühne ist eine junge Band aus Berlin.
The next act on stage is a young band from Berlin.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Act' from the context. In connection with music, festivals, or shows, it means a performance. In a political or historical context, it means a law.
Der Headliner-Act des Festivals war sehr beeindruckend.
The headliner act of the festival was very impressive.
In show business, 'Act' is often combined with adjectives, for example 'ein musikalischer Act' (a musical act), 'der Haupt-Act' (the main act/headliner), or 'ein internationaler Act' (an international act).
Als letzter Act des Abends trat ein berühmter Comedian auf.
A famous comedian performed as the last act of the evening.
In the meaning 'Gesetz' (law), 'Act' is almost always part of a proper name, especially for laws from the English-speaking world. It is then often placed in quotation marks or italics.
Der „Civil Rights Act“ von 1964 war ein Meilenstein in der US-Geschichte.
The 'Civil Rights Act' of 1964 was a milestone in US history.
law
'das Gesetz' and 'der Act' can both mean a rule passed by a parliament. In normal German, people almost always use 'Gesetz' for this. 'Act' is used mainly when talking about laws from the Anglo-American world, for example from the United Kingdom or the United States. In German, the word often sounds foreign-language or technical. Learners may confuse the words because 'Act' really does mean 'law' in some texts. In everyday German, however, 'Gesetz' is the natural choice. 'Act' only fits when a specific foreign law is called that.
Im Seminar erklärt der Dozent, warum dieser britische Act für die Geschichte wichtig war.
In the seminar, the lecturer explains why this British act was important for history.
Morgen bespricht der Kurs ein Gesetz zum Schutz von Mietern.
Tomorrow the course will discuss a law protecting tenants.