die Anweisung
instruction
A clear instruction, order, or rule that states what someone should do.
EXAMPLE
Bitte befolgen Sie die Anweisungen des Personals genau.
Please follow the staff's instructions carefully.
die Anweisung
instruction / order
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Anweisung
payment order
An order to a bank or financial institution to transfer a specific amount of money from one account to another.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe meiner Bank die Anweisung erteilt, die Miete monatlich zu überweisen.
I instructed my bank to transfer the rent monthly.
die Anweisung
statement
In programming, a single command in computer code that performs a specific operation.
EXAMPLE
Diese eine Anweisung im Code ist für den Absturz des Programms verantwortlich.
This one statement in the code is responsible for the program crashing.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Die Anweisung' (the instruction/order) is derived from the verb 'anweisen' (to instruct). This separable verb means to 'weisen' (point/show) someone what they should do. The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a noun that describes the action or the result.
EXAMPLE
Der Chef hat die Mitarbeiter angewiesen, pünktlich zu sein.
The boss instructed the employees to be punctual.
Typical collocations
Common verbs used with 'Anweisung' (instruction) are 'eine Anweisung geben' (to give an instruction), 'eine Anweisung erhalten' (to receive an instruction), and 'eine Anweisung befolgen' (to follow an instruction). It is often described with adjectives like 'klar' (clear), 'deutlich' (explicit), or 'schriftlich' (written).
EXAMPLE
Die Mitarbeiter müssen die Sicherheitsanweisungen genau befolgen.
The employees must follow the safety instructions carefully.
Use with prepositions
To describe the content or purpose of an instruction, German often uses the preposition 'zu' with the dative or a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that).
EXAMPLE
Er gab die Anweisung, alle Fenster zu schließen.
He gave the instruction to close all the windows.
Finance context clue
When 'Anweisung' (payment order) is used in connection with 'Bank' (bank), 'Konto' (account), 'Geld' (money), or 'Betrag' (amount), it almost always refers to a financial transaction.
EXAMPLE
Der Kunde erteilte eine Anweisung zur Überweisung des Betrags.
The customer issued an order to transfer the amount.
Register
In the meaning 'Befehl im Computercode' (command in computer code), 'Anweisung' (statement) is a technical term from computer science and programming.
EXAMPLE
Ein Fehler in der letzten Anweisung führte zum Programmabsturz.
An error in the last statement caused the program to crash.
Compare with
RegelAuftragBefehlVorschriftAnleitungAnordnungKommandoAufforderungOrderVeranlassungWeisungEinweisungInstruktionCommandOrdreGeheiß
Anweisung vs Regel
rule / period
Regel and Anweisung can both specify what must be done. A Regel usually applies generally and over a longer period of time. An Anweisung is typically addressed to a person or group and specifies a particular activity in a particular situation.
Anweisung
Der Leiter gab uns die Anweisung, sofort einen Helm aufzusetzen.
The supervisor instructed us to put on a helmet immediately.
Regel
Im Lager gilt die Regel, dass alle einen Helm tragen müssen.
The rule in the warehouse is that everyone must wear a helmet.
In real life
Loading video examples...