die Schrift
handwriting
The personal, individual way of writing by hand; handwriting.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann seine Schrift kaum lesen, er kritzelt so.
I can barely read his handwriting; he scribbles so much.
die Schrift
writing / script
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Meanings
die Schrift
script
A system of signs (such as letters or symbols) used to write a language.
EXAMPLE
Die lateinische Schrift wird für viele Sprachen der Welt verwendet.
The Latin script is used for many languages around the world.
die Schrift
writing / text
A published text, especially a shorter academic or informative text.
EXAMPLE
Er hat eine Schrift über die Auswirkungen der Digitalisierung verfasst.
He wrote a paper on the effects of digitalization.
die Schrift
font / typeface
A particular graphic design of letters and characters; a typeface or font.
EXAMPLE
Für die Überschriften verwenden wir eine andere Schrift als für den Fließtext.
For the headings, we use a different font than for the body text.
die Heilige Schrift
Holy Scripture
The Bible; the collection of sacred texts of Judaism and Christianity.
EXAMPLE
Der Pfarrer zitierte eine Passage aus der Heiligen Schrift.
The pastor quoted a passage from Holy Scripture.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Schrift' belongs to the word family of the verb 'schreiben' (to write). All meanings have to do with the written word, whether by hand, as a system, or as a text.
EXAMPLE
Schon als Kind hatte er eine sehr ordentliche Schrift.
Even as a child, he had very neat handwriting.
Typical collocations
When 'Schrift' (handwriting) means handwriting, it is often described with adjectives such as 'leserlich' (legible), 'unleserlich' (illegible), 'schön' (beautiful/neat), or 'deutlich' (clear). You can 'lesen' (read) or 'entziffern' (decipher) someone's handwriting.
EXAMPLE
Seine Schrift ist so unleserlich, dass ich den Brief nicht entziffern kann.
His handwriting is so illegible that I can't decipher the letter.
Context clue
When referring to a writing system, 'Schrift' (script) is often specified by a culture or a name. Examples include 'die arabische Schrift' (the Arabic script), 'die kyrillische Schrift' (the Cyrillic script), or 'die chinesische Schrift' (Chinese writing/characters).
EXAMPLE
Für meinen Russischkurs muss ich die kyrillische Schrift lernen.
For my Russian course, I have to learn the Cyrillic script.
Register and usage
In the meaning of 'published text', 'Schrift' (writing/text) is used mainly in academic and formal contexts for a treatise or tract. Typical verbs are 'verfassen' (to write/compose) or 'veröffentlichen' (to publish).
EXAMPLE
Die Historikerin hat eine wichtige Schrift über das Mittelalter veröffentlicht.
The historian published an important text on the Middle Ages.
Context clue
In the context of computers, design, or printing, 'Schrift' (font/typeface) means a typeface or font. Typical verbs here are 'auswählen' (to select), 'ändern' (to change), or 'installieren' (to install).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du für das Dokument bitte eine andere Schrift auswählen?
Could you please select a different font for the document?
Fixed expression
In the religious meaning, the fixed expression 'die Heilige Schrift' (Holy Scripture) is used almost exclusively to refer to the Bible.
EXAMPLE
Im Gottesdienst las der Priester aus der Heiligen Schrift vor.
During the church service, the priest read from Holy Scripture.
Compare with
Schrift vs Hand
hand
Schrift and Hand can both mean a person's handwriting. Schrift directly refers to the visible appearance of the writing. In this use, Hand focuses more on the personal writing style and therefore often refers to the person who wrote it.
Schrift
Sie erkannte Paul sofort an der Schrift auf dem Brief.
She immediately recognized Paul from the handwriting on the letter.
Hand
Sie erkannte sofort, dass der Brief von derselben Hand geschrieben war.
She immediately recognized that the letter had been written in the same handwriting.
In real life
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