addition / complement
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addition
Something that is added in order to complete, improve, or expand something else.
Dieser Kurs ist eine ideale Ergänzung für alle, die ihre Sprachkenntnisse vertiefen wollen.
This course is an ideal addition for anyone who wants to deepen their language skills.
'Ergänzung' (addition / complement) comes from the verb 'ergänzen' (to supplement / complete), which means 'to make complete.' The verb is derived from the adjective 'ganz' (whole). An 'Ergänzung' is therefore something that is added in order to create a whole.
Ich muss meine Notizen noch um ein paar Details ergänzen.
I still need to add a few details to my notes.
When something is an addition TO something else, the preposition 'zu' is used with the dative. This construction is very common.
Das neue Buch ist eine wertvolle Ergänzung zu unserer Bibliothek.
The new book is a valuable addition to our library.
You can recognize the grammatical meaning from signal words such as 'Satz' (sentence), 'Verb' (verb), 'Dativ-' (dative), or 'Akkusativ-' (accusative). In all other cases, the general meaning 'Zusatz' (addition) or 'Vervollständigung' (completion) is meant.
Im Grammatikunterricht analysieren wir heute die Ergänzungen im Satz.
In grammar class today, we are analyzing the complements in the sentence.
information / boasting
'Angabe' and 'Ergänzung' can both occur in forms, texts, or conversations when information is involved. An 'Angabe' is a piece of information that you state or enter. An 'Ergänzung' is something you add in order to make something more complete or better. They can be confused when information is still missing. In that case, the missing information may be 'Angaben', but the adding of this information is an 'Ergänzung'. Memory tip: 'Angabe' is the information itself; 'Ergänzung' is what is added.
Die Ergänzung am Ende des Berichts macht den Plan verständlicher.
The addition at the end of the report makes the plan easier to understand.
Für die Reise braucht die Agentur genaue Angaben zu den Passdaten.
For the trip, the agency needs precise information about the passport details.