printed matter / printed document
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printed matter
Printed materials such as advertising brochures, catalogs, or newspapers, which are often sent at a lower postage rate than letters.
Der Briefkasten war voll mit unadressierter Werbung, die als Drucksache verschickt wurde.
The mailbox was full of unaddressed advertising that had been sent as printed matter.
printed document
An official printed document in administration or politics, especially a motion, bill, or notice in a parliament.
Die Abgeordneten debattierten über die neueste Drucksache der Regierung.
The members of parliament debated the government's latest printed document.
'Drucksache' (printed matter/printed document) is a compound noun made up of 'Druck' (print, from the verb 'drucken' — to print) and 'Sache' (thing). So it literally means 'a printed thing' or 'printed material'.
Werbung und Kataloge gelten bei der Post als Drucksache.
Advertisements and catalogs count as printed matter at the post office.
The context makes the meaning clear. In connection with 'Post' (mail), 'Briefkasten' (mailbox), or 'versenden' (to send), it means the postal item. In the context of 'Parlament' (parliament), 'Regierung' (government), or 'Gesetz' (law), it refers to an official document.
Kann ich diesen Katalog als Drucksache verschicken?
Can I send this catalog as printed matter?
As an official document, 'Drucksache' (printed document) is a technical term from administration and politics, especially in parliaments such as the Bundestag. There, official motions and bills are referred to and numbered this way.
Jeder Gesetzentwurf wird als Drucksache veröffentlicht.
Every bill is published as a printed document.
template / assist
In a political context, both words can be connected with an official document. A „Vorlage“ is the draft or proposal that a committee or other body is meant to discuss and decide on. A „Drucksache“, by contrast, refers to its official printed publication.
Die Abgeordneten erhielten die Drucksache zur Änderung des Gesetzes vor der Sitzung.
The members of parliament received the printed document on the proposed amendment before the session.
Der Ausschuss berät morgen über die Vorlage zur Änderung des Gesetzes.
The committee will discuss the proposal to amend the law tomorrow.
