die Note
grade
An evaluation of school, university, or other performance, usually in the form of a number or a word.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe in der letzten Klausur eine sehr gute Note geschrieben.
I got a very good grade on the last exam.
die Note
grade / note
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Note
note
A symbol in music that determines the pitch and duration of a sound.
EXAMPLE
Er kann keine Noten lesen, aber spielt fantastisch Klavier.
He can't read music, but he plays the piano fantastically.
die Note
note / nuance
A special feature, a characteristic trait, or a nuance that distinguishes something from something else.
EXAMPLE
Das Parfüm hat eine leicht holzige Note.
The perfume has a slightly woody note.
die Note
note
A short written message, a memo, or an official diplomatic letter.
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung überreichte dem Botschafter eine Protestnote.
The government handed the ambassador a note of protest.
die Note
banknote
A technical or outdated term for a banknote, that is, a paper bill.
EXAMPLE
Im Museum war eine alte 1000-Mark-Note ausgestellt.
An old 1000-mark banknote was on display in the museum.
Usage tips
Context clue
The most common meanings of 'Note' are easy to recognize from context. In connection with school and university, it means a grade; in the context of music, a musical note; and when describing smells or tastes, a nuance.
EXAMPLE
Für eine gute Note in Deutsch muss man viel lesen.
For a good grade in German, you have to read a lot.
Typical verbs
In connection with school grades, certain verbs are used frequently: you can 'bekommen' (get), 'erhalten' (receive), or 'schreiben' (get/write) a grade. Teachers, on the other hand, 'geben' (give) or 'verteilen' (hand out) grades.
EXAMPLE
Ich hoffe, ich bekomme eine gute Note in der Prüfung.
I hope I get a good grade on the exam.
Typical verbs
When it comes to musical notes, the typical verbs are 'Noten lesen' (to read music), 'Noten spielen' (to play notes), or 'Noten schreiben' (to write notes). A person who produces a note with their voice 'trifft' (hits) the note.
EXAMPLE
Er kann Noten lesen, seit er sechs Jahre alt ist.
He has been able to read music since he was six years old.
Use with adjectives
To describe a nuance or a characteristic trait, 'Note' is almost always accompanied by an adjective. Typical examples are 'eine persönliche Note' (a personal touch), 'eine süße Note' (a sweet note), or 'eine sportliche Note' (a sporty touch).
EXAMPLE
Er verleiht seinen Gerichten immer eine persönliche Note.
He always gives his dishes a personal touch.
Formal use
As a written message, 'Note' is a formal term. It is mainly used in diplomacy, e.g. 'Protestnote' (note of protest), or in administrative language.
EXAMPLE
Der Botschafter überreichte eine diplomatische Note.
The ambassador handed over a diplomatic note.
Outdated meaning
The term 'Note' for a paper bill ('Banknote') is outdated. Today, you find it almost only in historical texts or when people are talking about old currencies.
EXAMPLE
Mein Großvater hatte noch eine 100-Mark-Note in seiner Sammlung.
My grandfather still had a 100-mark banknote in his collection.
Compare with
Note vs F
F
Das F and die Note can both refer to a result in an examination. “Das F” specifically means a very poor or failing letter grade in some grading systems, while “Note” is the general term for an evaluation. Use “F” only in this grading system; otherwise, “Note” is usually the appropriate term.
Note
In Deutschland bekam er für die Prüfung die Note fünf.
In Germany, he received a grade of five on the exam.
F
In diesem amerikanischen Notensystem bekam er für die Prüfung ein F.
In this American grading system, he received an F on the exam.
In real life
Loading video examples...