research paper / skilled work
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research paper
An extensive academic paper that upper-secondary school students write independently on a specific subject topic. It often serves as preparation for academic writing at university.
Für meine Facharbeit in Biologie habe ich das Verhalten von Ameisen untersucht.
For my biology research paper, I studied the behavior of ants.
skilled work
Work or an activity that requires specialized knowledge and particular skills, often in a craft or technical field.
Die Restaurierung des alten Möbels war eine anspruchsvolle Facharbeit.
The restoration of the old piece of furniture was demanding skilled work.
The word is made up of 'Fach' (specialized field, subject) and 'Arbeit' (work). So it literally means work that relates to a specific field or subject.
Die Facharbeit in Geschichte war sehr aufwendig.
The history research paper was very time-consuming.
In a school context (meaning 1), a 'Facharbeit' (research paper) is written, submitted, and graded. When it is about craft or technical activities (meaning 2), 'Facharbeit' (skilled work) describes the high quality and the skill required.
Er muss seine Facharbeit bis Freitag abgeben.
He has to submit his research paper by Friday.
When referring to the academic paper at school, 'Facharbeit' (research paper) is often used with the verbs 'schreiben' (to write), 'verfassen' (to compose/write), or 'abgeben' (to submit).
Ich muss noch meine Facharbeit für das Chemiereferat schreiben.
I still have to write my research paper for the chemistry presentation.
In the meaning 'qualified activity', the word is often used to praise the quality of the work. Typical adjectives are 'saubere' (clean/neat), 'gute' (good), or 'anspruchsvolle' (demanding) Facharbeit.
Der Tischler hat wirklich saubere Facharbeit geleistet.
The carpenter really did neat skilled work.
housework / term paper
Both words can refer to an independently written academic paper on a particular topic. However, “die Facharbeit” is an extensive paper written by upper-secondary students, while “die Hausarbeit” can also be a paper for a course or seminar. Use “Facharbeit” for the typical upper-secondary paper and, where appropriate, “Hausarbeit” otherwise.
In der Oberstufe schreibt Lea eine Facharbeit über erneuerbare Energien.
In upper secondary school, Lea is writing a research paper on renewable energy.
Für das Seminar an der Universität muss ich bis Freitag eine Hausarbeit abgeben.
I have to submit a term paper for my university seminar by Friday.
