certificate / document
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certificate / document
An official written document that proves and confirms a legal matter, an achievement, or an event. Examples include birth certificates, certificates, or contracts.
Bei der Siegerehrung erhielt jeder Teilnehmer eine Urkunde.
At the award ceremony, each participant received a certificate.
The word consists of the prefix 'Ur-' and the word 'Kunde'. 'Ur-' means 'original' or 'initial', and 'Kunde' comes from 'künden' (to announce or make something known). So an Urkunde is literally an 'original document that attests to something'.
Die Historiker fanden eine Urkunde aus dem Mittelalter.
The historians found a document from the Middle Ages.
Certain verbs are often used with 'Urkunde', emphasizing its official character. Common ones are: 'eine Urkunde ausstellen' (to issue a certificate), 'eine Urkunde überreichen' (to present a certificate), or 'eine Urkunde erhalten' (to receive a certificate).
Das Amt stellt Ihnen nach der Prüfung eine Urkunde aus.
The office will issue you a certificate after the examination.
The word 'Urkunde' is often used as part of compound nouns that describe the exact type of document. Well-known examples are 'Geburtsurkunde' (birth certificate), 'Heiratsurkunde' (marriage certificate), or 'Siegerurkunde' (winner's certificate).
Für die Anmeldung benötigen Sie Ihre Geburtsurkunde.
For the registration, you need your birth certificate.
letter
Both words can refer to an official document that establishes rights or obligations or confirms something. “Der Brief” is used here mainly in historical contexts or in fixed terms such as “Schuldbrief,” while “die Urkunde” is the general term for such a document. Therefore, use “Urkunde” in normal modern usage.
Die Urkunde bestätigt, dass die Familie das Grundstück besitzt.
The certificate confirms that the family owns the property.
Im Archiv fanden die Historiker einen alten Schuldbrief über das Grundstück.
In the archive, the historians found an old debt certificate concerning the property.
