signature
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signature
A person's handwritten name placed on a document in order to confirm or approve its content or to conclude a contract.
Für den Vertrag fehlt nur noch Ihre Unterschrift.
All that's missing for the contract is your signature.
The word is made up of 'unter' (under) and 'Schrift' (writing). So it literally describes writing that you place under a document in order to confirm it.
Bitte setzen Sie Ihre Unterschrift auf die markierte Linie.
Please put your signature on the marked line.
'Die Unterschrift' (signature) is the noun corresponding to the verb 'unterschreiben' (to sign). When you give a signature, you sign something.
Ich muss diesen Brief noch schnell unterschreiben.
I still need to quickly sign this letter.
Common verbs used with 'Unterschrift' (signature) are 'eine Unterschrift leisten' (to provide a signature), 'eine Unterschrift setzen' (to place/sign one's signature), or 'eine Unterschrift benötigen' (to require a signature). The first two are common in formal contexts.
Der Notar bat ihn, seine Unterschrift unter das Testament zu setzen.
The notary asked him to place his signature under the will.
to sign
'unterschreiben' and 'die Unterschrift' are closely related, but they are grammatically different. 'unterschreiben' is the action: someone writes their name under a document. 'die Unterschrift' is the result, or the written name itself. So you can sign a form, and afterward the signature is on the form. Learners can easily confuse the words because both occur in the same situations. Pay attention: you 'unterschreibt' something, but you 'gibt', 'braucht', or 'setzt' eine Unterschrift (give, need, or add a signature).
Auf dem Vertrag fehlt noch die Unterschrift der Kundin.
The customer's signature is still missing from the contract.
Zu Hause unterschreibe ich den Antrag für den neuen Pass.
At home, I sign the application for the new passport.