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.
assessment / certificate
A formal, often written certificate or statement that attests to a certain quality, ability, or condition in someone or something.
Der Kritiker stellte dem neuen Film das Attest aus, visuell brillant, aber inhaltlich schwach zu sein.
The critic gave the new film the assessment that it was visually brilliant but weak in content.
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.
expert report
“Das Gutachten” and “das Attest” are both written professional documents. A Gutachten provides a detailed, reasoned assessment of a complex matter, while an Attest usually briefly confirms a medical condition or inability to work. Use “Attest” for the certificate and “Gutachten” for the detailed assessment.
Wegen seiner Krankheit legte er seinem Arbeitgeber ein ärztliches Attest vor.
Because he was ill, he submitted a doctor's note to his employer.
Der Sachverständige schrieb ein ausführliches Gutachten über den Zustand des Gebäudes.
The expert wrote a detailed report on the condition of the building.
