01
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
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Meanings
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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
Anweisung vs Regel
rule / period
'Regel' and 'Anweisung' can both say what someone should do. A 'Regel' often applies generally and to many situations, for example in a school, company, or group. An 'Anweisung' is usually more specific: someone says exactly what a person should do now or in a certain situation. Learners may confuse the words because both guide behavior. In practice: a rule describes what is allowed or forbidden; an instruction says what should be done next.
Anweisung
Er hat im Zug eine genaue Anweisung für das Projekt bekommen.
He received precise instructions for the project on the train.
Regel
Bei der Veranstaltung gilt die Regel, dass alle ihr Handy ausschalten.
At the event, the rule is that everyone turns off their phone.
In real life
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