autobiography
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autobiography
The life story of a person, written by that person themselves.
In seiner Autobiografie berichtet der berühmte Musiker von den Anfängen seiner Karriere.
In his autobiography, the famous musician writes about the beginnings of his career.
This word comes from Greek and is internationally understandable. 'Auto-' means 'self', 'bio-' means 'life', and '-grafie' means 'writing'. Literally, then, it is a 'self-life-writing'.
Die Vorsilbe „Auto-“ wie in „Automobil“ bedeutet immer „selbst“.
The prefix 'Auto-' as in 'Automobil' (automobile) always means 'self'.
Common verbs used with 'Autobiografie' (autobiography) are 'schreiben' (to write), 'verfassen' (to compose), 'veröffentlichen' (to publish), and 'lesen' (to read). People often speak of the 'Autobiografie von' (autobiography of) a specific person.
Der Politiker kündigte an, nach seiner Amtszeit eine Autobiografie zu schreiben.
The politician announced that he would write an autobiography after his term in office.
To say whose life story it is, you usually use the genitive or the preposition 'von' (of/by). For example: 'die Autobiografie des Schauspielers' (the actor's autobiography) or 'die Autobiografie von Marie Curie' (the autobiography of Marie Curie).
Die Autobiografie von Nelson Mandela hat mich tief beeindruckt.
The autobiography of Nelson Mandela deeply impressed me.
biography
Biografie and Autobiografie both describe a person's life, but they differ in terms of the author's perspective. A Biografie is written by someone else. If the person being described writes about their own life, it is an Autobiografie.
Der bekannte Musiker schrieb eine Autobiografie über sein eigenes Leben.
The famous musician wrote an autobiography about his own life.
Eine Journalistin schrieb eine Biografie über den bekannten Musiker.
A journalist wrote a biography of the famous musician.
