table of contents
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table of contents
An ordered list of the chapters or sections of a book, document, or other publication, usually placed at the beginning and giving the corresponding page numbers. It is used for quick orientation and navigation in the text.
Schau im Inhaltsverzeichnis nach, auf welcher Seite das Kapitel über die Französische Revolution beginnt.
Look in the table of contents to see on which page the chapter about the French Revolution begins.
The word is made up of three parts: 'der Inhalt' (content), the linking '-s-', and 'das Verzeichnis' (directory/list). So it is literally a list of the contents.
Ein gutes Inhaltsverzeichnis gibt einen schnellen Überblick über die Struktur eines Buches.
A good table of contents gives a quick overview of the structure of a book.
Typical verbs related to the table of contents are 'im Inhaltsverzeichnis nachschlagen' (to look something up in the table of contents), 'etwas im Inhaltsverzeichnis finden' (to find something in the table of contents), or 'ein Inhaltsverzeichnis erstellen' (to create a table of contents).
Ich habe im Inhaltsverzeichnis nachgeschlagen, aber das Thema nicht gefunden.
I looked in the table of contents, but I didn't find the topic.
When referring to the table of contents, the preposition 'in' with the dative is almost always used: 'im Inhaltsverzeichnis' (in the table of contents).
Die Seitenzahl steht direkt im Inhaltsverzeichnis neben dem Kapiteltitel.
The page number is listed directly in the table of contents next to the chapter title.
overview
'die Übersicht' and 'das Inhaltsverzeichnis' both help you find your way around quickly. An 'Übersicht' is a brief summary of a topic, data, or important points. It can appear in a table, on a page, or in a presentation. An 'Inhaltsverzeichnis' is more specific: it shows the chapters or sections of a text and often the page numbers. In a book or a long paper, 'Inhaltsverzeichnis' is more precise. If you mean a general quick look at the most important information, 'Übersicht' fits better.
Vor der Prüfung schaut Nina im Inhaltsverzeichnis nach, welches Kapitel sie wiederholen muss.
Before the exam, Nina checks the table of contents to see which chapter she needs to review.
Im Zug lese ich nur die kurze Übersicht, weil ich wenig Zeit habe.
On the train, I only read the brief overview because I don't have much time.