paraphrase / transfer
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paraphrase
The explanation or description of a term in other words, often in order to avoid a word or to make a situation easier to understand.
„Der längste Tag des Jahres“ ist eine Umschreibung für die Sommersonnenwende.
'The longest day of the year' is a paraphrase for the summer solstice.
The word is the nominalization of the separable verb 'umschreiben' (to paraphrase / to transfer). This consists of 'um' (around) and 'schreiben' (to write). The literal meaning, 'to write around something,' fits well with the meaning of paraphrase.
Seine Erklärung war eine lange Umschreibung des eigentlichen Problems.
His explanation was a long paraphrase of the actual problem.
The two meanings can be distinguished well from the context. If it is about language, words, or explanations, it means a paraphrase. If it is about official documents, ownership, and public offices or authorities, for example with vehicles or land, it means the administrative act.
„Ein Raubtier mit Streifen“ ist eine Umschreibung für einen Tiger.
'A predator with stripes' is a paraphrase for a tiger.
When something is an 'Umschreibung' (paraphrase) for something else, the preposition 'für' (for) is used with the accusative. People often look for or find a 'treffende Umschreibung' (apt paraphrase).
„Kaltes Licht des Mondes“ ist eine poetische Umschreibung für den Mondschein.
'Cold light of the moon' is a poetic paraphrase for moonlight.
In an administrative context, people speak of the 'Umschreibung eines Fahrzeugs' (transfer of a vehicle), 'eines Kontos' (of an account), or 'eines Grundstücks' (of a property). The action is often linked with the verb 'beantragen' (to apply for) or 'vornehmen' (to carry out).
Die Umschreibung des Wagens muss bei der Zulassungsstelle beantragt werden.
The transfer of the car must be applied for at the vehicle registration office.
explanation / statement
'die Erklärung' and 'die Umschreibung' can both help make something easier to understand. An 'Erklärung' directly describes what something means or why something is the way it is. An 'Umschreibung' explains a term in other words, often because you do not know the exact word or do not want to use it. The risk of confusion comes from the fact that a paraphrase can also be explanatory. When the content is the main focus, people usually say 'Erklärung'; when the wording in other words is important, they say 'Umschreibung'.
Die Umschreibung hilft mir, obwohl ich das Fachwort noch nicht kenne.
The paraphrase helps me, even though I do not know the technical term yet.
Ihre Erklärung ist kurz, aber alle verstehen den neuen Plan.
Her explanation is short, but everyone understands the new plan.