parchment
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parchment
A historical writing material made from the unsplit, dried, and treated skin of animals, usually sheep, goats, or calves. Before paper became widespread, it was the most important writing material in Europe.
In der Bibliothek werden wertvolle mittelalterliche Handschriften auf Pergament aufbewahrt.
Valuable medieval manuscripts on parchment are kept in the library.
parchment paper
A modern, high-quality, durable paper that resembles the historical material in appearance and feel and is often used for certificates or special invitations.
Für die Hochzeitsurkunden haben wir ein edles Papier gewählt, das wie Pergament aussieht.
For the wedding certificates, we chose an elegant paper that looks like parchment.
Just as with paper, you use the preposition 'auf' (on) when talking about writing or printing on this material. So you say 'auf Pergament' (on parchment).
Die alte Urkunde wurde von Hand auf Pergament geschrieben.
The old document was written by hand on parchment.
To distinguish the meanings, pay attention to the context. Words like 'Mittelalter' (Middle Ages), 'Handschrift' (manuscript), or 'historisch' (historical) point to the real animal material. Words like 'Urkunde' (certificate), 'Einladung' (invitation), or 'modern' point to the special paper.
Im Museum sahen wir eine Bibel aus dem Mittelalter, die auf Pergament geschrieben war.
In the museum, we saw a Bible from the Middle Ages that was written on parchment.
In a historical context, 'Pergament' (parchment) is often associated with valuable or old things. Typical combinations are 'mittelalterliche Handschriften auf Pergament' (medieval manuscripts on parchment), 'kostbares Pergament' (precious parchment), or 'antike Schriftrollen' (ancient scrolls).
Der Mönch verbrachte Jahre damit, die Texte auf Pergament zu kopieren.
The monk spent years copying the texts onto parchment.
When the modern specialty paper is meant, it is often used for official or ceremonial occasions. Common combinations are 'eine Urkunde auf Pergament' (a certificate on parchment), 'eine Speisekarte auf Pergament' (a menu on parchment), or 'edles Pergamentpapier' (fine parchment paper).
Das Restaurant hatte eine sehr stilvolle Speisekarte auf Pergament.
The restaurant had a very stylish menu on parchment paper.
paper
Papier is the usual material for writing and printing. Pergament refers either to historical writing material made from animal skin or to modern, high-quality paper that resembles it. Papier is appropriate for an ordinary invitation; for genuine or parchment-like specialty material, Pergament is more precise.
Wir drucken die besondere Einladung auf hochwertiges Pergament.
We are printing the special invitation on high-quality parchment.
Wir drucken die normale Einladung auf weißes Papier.
We are printing the ordinary invitation on white paper.
