replica / reproduction
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replica
A copy of an object that is as faithful to the original as possible, especially of a work of art, a historical object, or a fossil.
Im Museum ist nur eine Nachbildung der Krone ausgestellt; das Original liegt im Tresor.
Only a replica of the crown is on display in the museum; the original is kept in the vault.
reproduction
The process or act of copying or imitating an object.
Die detailgetreue Nachbildung des antiken Gefäßes erforderte höchste handwerkliche Präzision.
The detailed reproduction of the ancient vessel required the highest level of craftsmanship.
The word is made up of the prefix 'nach-' and the noun 'Bildung' (formation/education). Here, 'nach-' means 'based on' or 'imitating.' A 'Nachbildung' (replica/reproduction) is therefore literally something that was formed after a model.
Die Nachbildung des historischen Schiffs war sehr detailliert.
The replica of the historic ship was very detailed.
'Die Nachbildung' (the replica/reproduction) belongs to the verb 'nachbilden' (to reproduce/replicate). This verb describes the act of creating a copy of something.
Es ist fast unmöglich, dieses Kunstwerk perfekt nachzubilden.
It is almost impossible to reproduce this artwork perfectly.
'Die Nachbildung' (the replica/reproduction) can refer to the result (the copy) or the process of copying. If the word is in the plural or used with 'eine' (a/an), it usually means the object. If it refers to the action, it is often used in the singular with 'die' in the sense of 'der Vorgang' (the process).
Diese Nachbildung des Fossils ist sehr gelungen.
This replica of the fossil is very well done.
To describe the quality of the copy, 'Nachbildung' (replica/reproduction) is often combined with adjectives such as 'originalgetreu' (true to the original), 'detailgetreu' (detailed/faithful in detail), or 'exakt' (exact).
Im Museumsshop kann man eine originalgetreue Nachbildung der berühmten Statue kaufen.
In the museum shop, you can buy a true-to-the-original replica of the famous statue.
To say what a 'Nachbildung' (replica) was made of, German usually uses the genitive or the preposition 'von' with the dative. The genitive is somewhat more formal.
Das ist eine Nachbildung des ersten Automobils.
This is a replica of the first automobile.
copy
Kopie generally refers to an imitation, especially in everyday contexts. Nachbildung places greater emphasis on the fact that a particular object has been recreated as faithfully as possible, such as a work of art or historical object. Use Kopie for a neutral reproduction, and Nachbildung for the deliberate imitation of an original.
Im Museum sahen wir eine möglichst originalgetreue Nachbildung des alten Gemäldes.
At the museum, we saw a replica of the old painting that was as faithful to the original as possible.
Im Museum sahen wir eine Kopie des alten Gemäldes.
At the museum, we saw a copy of the old painting.
