documentation / documentary
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documentary
A film, television program, or radio program that reports on a specific topic, event, or person based on facts.
Gestern Abend lief eine interessante Dokumentation über das Leben der Tiefseefische.
Last night there was an interesting documentary about the life of deep-sea fish.
documentation
The systematic collection, organization, and storage of information and documents relating to a specific process or project.
Eine lückenlose Dokumentation ist für die Projektverwaltung unerlässlich.
Complete documentation is essential for project management.
documentation
The entirety of the collected documents and written materials on a topic.
Bitte reichen Sie die vollständige Dokumentation bis Ende der Woche ein.
Please submit the complete documentation by the end of the week.
The word 'Dokumentation' belongs to the verb 'dokumentieren' (to document). The ending '-tion' is typical for nouns that describe a process or its result and are derived from a verb.
Es ist wichtig, alle Arbeitsschritte genau zu dokumentieren.
It is important to document all work steps precisely.
Whether a film or documents are meant can be recognized from the context. In connection with television or media, it refers to a film. In an office or project context, it refers to the documents.
Ich habe gestern eine spannende Dokumentation im Fernsehen gesehen.
I watched an exciting documentary on television yesterday.
When a program is meant, 'Dokumentation' is often used with the preposition 'über' (+ accusative) to name the topic. Typical verbs are 'sehen' (to see/watch), 'schauen' (to watch), or 'laufen' (to be on).
Im Ersten läuft gerade eine Dokumentation über den Klimawandel.
There is currently a documentary about climate change on the first public channel.
The meanings that refer to the collection of information or the documents themselves are typical in everyday professional life, administration, and technical fields.
Ohne eine saubere Dokumentation können wir das Projekt nicht abschließen.
Without clean documentation, we cannot complete the project.
report
A Bericht and a Dokumentation can both provide factual information about a real event. Bericht generally refers to an individual account, while Dokumentation means a more detailed film, television, or radio program focused on a particular topic or person. Bericht is suitable for an individual contribution, while Dokumentation is more appropriate for a longer program.
Die längere Dokumentation zeigte die Geschichte des alten Bahnhofs mit vielen Interviews.
The longer documentary explored the history of the old train station through many interviews.
Der kurze Bericht informierte über die Geschichte des alten Bahnhofs.
The short report provided information about the history of the old train station.
