bescheinigen
to certify
To confirm or attest something to someone in writing, often officially.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt bescheinigte ihm eine einwöchige Arbeitsunfähigkeit.
The doctor certified that he was unable to work for one week.
bescheinigen
to certify / attest
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Meanings
bescheinigen
to attest
To attribute a certain quality or certain behavior to someone, often with an evaluative connotation.
EXAMPLE
Die Kritiker bescheinigten dem Film mangelnde Originalität.
The critics attested a lack of originality to the film.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Bescheinigen' (to certify/attest) is an inseparable verb because it begins with the prefix 'be-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Ich lasse mir die Teilnahme am Kurs bescheinigen.
I am having my participation in the course certified.
Sentence structure with dative
This verb requires a fixed sentence structure: the person receiving the confirmation is in the dative, and the thing being confirmed is in the accusative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) bescheinigen.
EXAMPLE
Der Professor bescheinigte der Studentin (Dativ) gute Leistungen (Akkusativ).
The professor attested good performance (accusative) to the student (dative).
Context clue
If the object is an official fact, e.g. 'Teilnahme' (participation) or 'Arbeitsunfähigkeit' (incapacity for work), the verb means 'to confirm in writing'. If the object is an abstract quality, e.g. 'Talent' (talent) or 'Faulheit' (laziness), it means 'to attribute'.
EXAMPLE
Der Trainer bescheinigte ihm großes Talent.
The coach attested great talent to him.
Official context
In the meaning 'bestätigen' (to confirm), 'bescheinigen' (to certify) is almost always used in a formal or official context. It is about providing proof.
EXAMPLE
Bitte lassen Sie sich den Erhalt des Pakets schriftlich bescheinigen.
Please have receipt of the package certified in writing.
Compare with
bescheinigen vs bestätigen
to confirm
Bestätigen generally means officially recording that information is correct. Bescheinigen is more specific: an authorized body confirms a fact to someone, usually in writing. For a general assurance, bestätigen is appropriate; for a formal document, bescheinigen is more appropriate.
bescheinigen
Die Ärztin bescheinigte dem Patienten schriftlich, dass er gesund ist.
The doctor certified in writing that the patient was healthy.
bestätigen
Die Ärztin bestätigte dem Patienten mündlich, dass er gesund ist.
The doctor verbally confirmed to the patient that he was healthy.
In real life
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