01
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
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Meanings
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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Outdated meaning
The term 'Note' for a paper bill ('Banknote') is outdated.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 Pause
break / pause
'die Pause' and 'die Note' can both appear as symbols in a piece of music. The difference is important: a 'Note' indicates a sound, meaning which pitch and which duration should be played. A 'Pause' indicates that no sound is played for a certain amount of time. Learners may confuse the words because both appear in musical notation and have a duration. Put simply: with a note, you play; with a rest, you are silent.
Note
Der Lehrer zeigt auf die Note und fragt, wie lange sie klingt.
The teacher points to the note and asks how long it lasts.
Pause
In diesem Takt steht eine Pause, deshalb spielt die Geige kurz nicht.
There is a rest in this measure, so the violin briefly does not play.
In real life
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