guideline
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guideline
A general rule, principle, or recommendation that serves as guidance for action in a particular area.
Das Unternehmen hat neue ethische Leitlinien für seine Mitarbeiter veröffentlicht.
The company has published new ethical guidelines for its employees.
guideline / line
A physical, solid or broken line on a surface that serves to guide or separate, especially in road traffic.
Die durchgezogene Leitlinie in der Mitte der Fahrbahn darf nicht überfahren werden.
The solid guideline in the middle of the road must not be crossed.
The word consists of 'leiten' (to guide, to lead) and 'Linie' (line). A 'Leitlinie' (guideline) is therefore literally a 'guiding line', which fits both a rule that guides action and a road marking that guides a vehicle.
Bitte halten Sie sich an die neuen Leitlinien des Projekts.
Please follow the new guidelines for the project.
The context makes the meaning clear. If it is about rules, ethics, politics, or medicine, it means a guideline. If it is about roads, traffic, or sports fields, it means a physical marking.
Die medizinischen Leitlinien zur Behandlung dieser Krankheit wurden aktualisiert.
The medical guidelines for treating this disease have been updated.
In the sense of 'Richtlinie' (guideline), the word is often used in the plural. Typical verbs are 'Leitlinien festlegen' (to establish guidelines), 'veröffentlichen' (to publish), 'befolgen' (to follow), or 'sich an Leitlinien halten' (to adhere to guidelines).
Alle Abteilungen müssen sich an die neuen internen Leitlinien halten.
All departments must adhere to the new internal guidelines.
In road traffic, the most common combinations are 'die durchgezogene Leitlinie' (the solid guideline/line) and 'die unterbrochene Leitlinie' (the broken guideline/line). A typical verb in this context is 'überfahren' (to drive over/cross).
Das Überfahren der durchgezogenen Leitlinie ist verboten und gefährlich.
Crossing the solid guideline is forbidden and dangerous.
requirement / handicap
A Vorgabe bindingly determines how employees must act. A Leitlinie, by contrast, offers general guidance or a recommendation and leaves more room for discretion. If a rule must be followed, Vorgabe is appropriate; if it mainly helps people make decisions, Leitlinie is appropriate.
Die Leitlinie empfiehlt allen Beschäftigten, nicht mehr benötigte Kundendaten bald zu löschen.
The guideline recommends that all employees delete customer data they no longer need soon.
Nach der Vorgabe müssen alle Beschäftigten Kundendaten sofort löschen.
Under the requirement, all employees must delete customer data immediately.
