encyclopedia
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encyclopedia
A comprehensive reference work that presents knowledge from many different areas or from a specific field in alphabetical or systematic order.
Für seine Recherche nutzte er eine alte Enzyklopädie aus der Bibliothek.
For his research, he used an old encyclopedia from the library.
'Enzyklopädie' (encyclopedia) is an international word that comes from Greek. You will recognize it in a similar form in many other languages, which makes it easier to understand.
Wikipedia ist eine bekannte Online-Enzyklopädie.
Wikipedia is a well-known online encyclopedia.
The most common action in connection with an encyclopedia is 'nachschlagen' (to look up). You look up a term in the encyclopedia in order to find information.
Ich musste das Wort in einer medizinischen Enzyklopädie nachschlagen.
I had to look up the word in a medical encyclopedia.
Common adjectives are 'gedruckt' (printed) or 'digital' (digital) to describe the format, or 'umfassend' (comprehensive) and 'mehrbändig' (in multiple volumes) to describe the scope.
Meine Großeltern besitzen eine mehrbändige Enzyklopädie in ihrem Wohnzimmer.
My grandparents own a multi-volume encyclopedia in their living room.
manual / handbook
'das Handbuch' and 'die Enzyklopädie' can both be reference works. A 'Handbuch' collects important knowledge about a specific field or explains how to use something. An 'Enzyklopädie' presents knowledge very broadly or systematically, often about many topics or an entire field. Learners may confuse the words because you look for information in both. For practical or basic specialist knowledge, 'Handbuch' often fits. For an overview of many terms and topics, 'Enzyklopädie' is usually more appropriate.
In der Enzyklopädie findet Lisa kurze Artikel zu vielen Ländern.
Lisa finds short articles about many countries in the encyclopedia.
Für den Kurs benutzt du am besten das Handbuch zur Grammatik.
For the course, it is best to use the grammar handbook.