lecture / presentation
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lecture / presentation
A speech or presentation on a specific topic given in front of an audience.
Die Professorin hielt einen interessanten Vortrag über künstliche Intelligenz.
The professor gave an interesting lecture on artificial intelligence.
'Der Vortrag' is derived from the separable verb 'vortragen' (to present/recite). It literally means to 'carry something forward,' that is, to present it to an audience. This applies both to information and to music.
Der Schüler muss morgen ein Gedicht vortragen.
The student has to recite a poem tomorrow.
The most common and important collocation is 'einen Vortrag halten' (to give a lecture/presentation). If you are listening, you can say 'einem Vortrag zuhören' (to listen to a lecture) or 'einem Vortrag folgen' (to follow a lecture).
Nächste Woche halte ich einen Vortrag über den Klimawandel.
Next week I'm giving a presentation on climate change.
This meaning is limited to the field of music. You can recognize it from words like 'Pianist' (pianist), 'Orchester' (orchestra), 'gefühlvoll' (sensitive/emotional), 'technisch' (technical), or from the names of musical pieces.
Ihr technischer Vortrag der schwierigen Passagen war beeindruckend.
Her technical performance of the difficult passages was impressive.
This meaning is technical language from accounting and bookkeeping. It is almost never used in everyday language.
Bitte prüfen Sie den Vortrag der Summe auf der nächsten Seite.
Please check the carryforward of the sum on the next page.
speech / talk
'die Rede' and 'der Vortrag' can both mean that someone speaks in front of an audience. 'Rede' often fits ceremonial, political, or personal occasions, for example at a wedding or an official event. 'Vortrag' is used more when someone explains information about a specific topic, for example at school, at university, or at work. The words can be confused because both involve speaking at length in front of several people. As a guide: a 'Rede' is often meant to move people or welcome them, while a 'Vortrag' is mainly meant to inform.
Im Kurs hören wir morgen einen Vortrag über erneuerbare Energie.
Tomorrow in the course, we will listen to a lecture on renewable energy.
Bei der Feier hält der Bürgermeister eine kurze Rede.
At the celebration, the mayor gives a short speech.