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.
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.
model
'das Modell' and 'die Nachbildung' can both be a copy or representation of something real. A 'Modell' is often smaller and is meant to show what a building, vehicle, or plan looks like. It does not have to have every detail exactly like the original. A 'Nachbildung' places more emphasis on something being copied as faithfully to the original as possible, for example a work of art or a historical object. 'Modell' often sounds more technical or planning-related. 'Nachbildung' fits better when similarity to the original is especially important.
Im Museum sehen wir eine Nachbildung einer alten römischen Vase.
At the museum, we see a replica of an ancient Roman vase.
Am Wochenende bauen die Kinder ein Modell von ihrem Traumhaus.
At the weekend, the children build a model of their dream house.