fax
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fax machine
Refers to the device used to send and receive documents over a telephone line; a short form of fax machine.
Das Fax im Büro ist schon wieder kaputt und druckt nur noch schwarze Seiten.
The fax machine in the office is broken again and is only printing black pages now.
'Fax' is a short form of the word 'Telefaksimile' (telefax/facsimile). This word comes from Latin and means something like 'make it similar' (fac simile), which describes the function of the device well.
Früher musste man wichtige Dokumente per Telefaksimile versenden.
In the past, important documents had to be sent by facsimile.
Whether the device or the document is meant can be recognized from the verb. Actions such as 'schicken' (to send), 'senden' (to send), or 'erhalten' (to receive) refer to the document. States such as 'ist kaputt' (is broken) or 'steht im Büro' (is in the office) refer to the device.
Ich schicke Ihnen das Anmeldeformular sofort per Fax.
I'll send you the registration form immediately by fax.
Fax technology is considered outdated today. In most modern offices it is hardly used anymore, but in some sectors such as law or healthcare it is still common for legal reasons.
Die Kanzlei verlangt die Unterlagen aus Sicherheitsgründen per Fax.
The law firm requires the documents by fax for security reasons.
When referring to the document, the most common verbs are 'ein Fax senden' (to send a fax), 'ein Fax schicken' (to send a fax), and 'ein Fax empfangen' or 'erhalten' (to receive a fax).
Bitte senden Sie uns den unterschriebenen Vertrag als Fax zurück.
Please send us the signed contract back as a fax.