unbeschrieben
blank
Not yet provided with writing, symbols, or pictures; empty.
EXAMPLE
Sie nahm ein unbeschriebenes Blatt Papier aus dem Drucker.
She took a blank sheet of paper out of the printer.
unbeschrieben
blank / unknown
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Meanings
ein unbeschriebenes Blatt
an unknown quantity
A person whose abilities, experience, or qualities are not yet well known and who has not yet established a reputation.
EXAMPLE
Als neuer Mitarbeiter war er für das Unternehmen zunächst ein unbeschriebenes Blatt.
As a new employee, he was initially an unknown quantity to the company.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry unbeschrieben, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | unbeschrieben |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unbeschrieben.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unbeschrieben.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to unbeschrieben.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Unbeschrieben' consists of 'un-' and 'beschrieben' (written), the past participle of 'beschreiben' (to describe / to write on). The prefix 'un-' indicates here that something does not contain any writing, symbols, or pictures.
EXAMPLE
Das Formular blieb nach dem Termin unbeschrieben auf dem Tisch liegen.
The form remained blank on the table after the appointment.
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'unbeschrieben' is often used with paper items, such as a page, sheet, or slip of paper. It describes their state before anything is written or drawn on them.
EXAMPLE
Für die Skizze suchte er eine unbeschriebene Seite in seinem Notizbuch.
For the sketch, he looked for a blank page in his notebook.
Fixed expression
When referring to a person, 'ein unbeschriebenes Blatt sein' (to be an unknown quantity) is used as a fixed figurative expression. It is often accompanied by a phrase with 'für' (for), showing who is not yet familiar with the person or their abilities.
EXAMPLE
Für die Jury war die junge Sängerin noch ein unbeschriebenes Blatt.
The young singer was still an unknown quantity to the jury.
In real life
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