to write down
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to write down
To record something in writing, to write it down in order to document it or not forget it.
Die Protokollantin muss alles, was gesagt wird, genau niederschreiben.
The minute-taker has to write down exactly everything that is said.
to write down
To compose and put down on paper a literary, musical, or scientific work.
In seinem Exil begann der Autor, seine Memoiren niederzuschreiben.
In exile, the author began to write down his memoirs.
'Niederschreiben' (to write down) is a separable verb. The prefix 'nieder-' separates from the verb in a main clause and goes to the end of the sentence. The prefix emphasizes the idea of recording something permanently and carefully.
Er schrieb seine Erlebnisse in einem Tagebuch nieder.
He wrote down his experiences in a diary.
As a separable verb, 'niederschreiben' (to write down) changes its form depending on the sentence type. In a main clause it is separated, in a subordinate clause it stays together, and in an infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes in the middle.
Der Zeuge schrieb seine Aussage nieder.
The witness wrote down his statement.
The verb 'niederschreiben' (to write down) belongs to a more formal and often literary style of language. It implies more care and finality than the more everyday word 'aufschreiben' (to write down).
Der Dichter zog sich zurück, um seine Gedanken niederzuschreiben.
The poet withdrew in order to write down his thoughts.
to record / take in
Aufnehmen and niederschreiben can both refer to putting a statement in writing. aufnehmen tends to emphasize the entire official process of recording it. niederschreiben, by contrast, highlights the specific action of putting the content in writing, often as accurately as possible.
Die Polizistin schreibt die Aussage des Zeugen Wort für Wort nieder.
The police officer writes down the witness’s statement word for word.
Die Polizistin nimmt die Aussage des Zeugen offiziell auf.
The police officer officially records the witness’s statement.
