certificate / medical note
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medical certificate
An official doctor's certificate confirming an illness, inability to work, or inability to attend school.
Wenn man länger als drei Tage krank ist, muss man dem Arbeitgeber ein ärztliches Attest vorlegen.
If you are sick for more than three days, you have to present a medical certificate to your employer.
The most common meaning refers to a medical document. If you hear the word in the context of illness, work, or school, it almost always means a doctor's certificate. In other contexts, e.g. in the criticism of a film, the figurative meaning is intended.
Ich muss zum Arzt gehen, um ein Attest für die Universität zu bekommen.
I have to go to the doctor to get a medical certificate for the university.
In a medical context, an Attest (medical certificate) is 'ausgestellt' (issued) by a doctor. The patient then has to 'vorlegen' (present) or 'einreichen' (submit) it to the employer or school.
Mein Arzt hat mir ein Attest für diese Woche ausgestellt.
My doctor issued me a medical certificate for this week.
'Attest' (medical certificate) is the official and formal term for a doctor's sick note. It is used in all formal situations with employers, authorities, or educational institutions.
Ohne ein gültiges Attest kann die Krankmeldung nicht akzeptiert werden.
Without a valid medical certificate, the sick note cannot be accepted.
In the figurative meaning, the fixed expression 'jemandem/etwas ein gutes/schlechtes Attest ausstellen' (to give someone/something a good/bad assessment) is often used. This means to evaluate someone or something positively or negatively.
Die Tester haben dem neuen Smartphone ein hervorragendes Attest ausgestellt.
The testers gave the new smartphone an excellent assessment.
apology / excuse
'Entschuldigung' and 'Attest' can both occur as written proof of an absence, especially at school or work. An 'Entschuldigung' can be written, for example, by the parents or by the person concerned, and explains why someone was absent. An 'Attest' usually comes from a doctor and officially confirms an illness or inability to work. Learners may confuse the words because both can be handed in when you have been sick. The important point is: an 'Entschuldigung' explains the absence, while an 'Attest' confirms it medically.
Beim Arzt bekommt sie ein Attest für ihren Arbeitgeber.
At the doctor's, she gets a medical certificate for her employer.
Wir geben die Entschuldigung morgen im Sekretariat ab.
We will hand in the excuse note at the office tomorrow.