die Wiederholung
repetition
The repeated performance of an action or the repeated occurrence of an event.
EXAMPLE
Die Wiederholung dieser Übung hilft, die Muskeln zu stärken.
The repetition of this exercise helps strengthen the muscles.
die Wiederholung
repetition / rerun / review
die Wiederholung, die Wiederholungen
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Meanings
die Wiederholung
rerun
A repeat broadcast of a TV show, film, or radio program that was shown before.
EXAMPLE
Gestern Abend lief im Fernsehen nur eine Wiederholung von letzter Woche.
Last night, there was only a rerun from last week on TV.
die Wiederholung
review
Going through and studying material that has already been covered, usually in preparation for an exam.
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Test machen wir noch eine kurze Wiederholung der wichtigsten Vokabeln.
Before the test, we'll do a quick review of the most important vocabulary.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Wiederholung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Wiederholungen |
| genitive | der Wiederholung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Wiederholung | die Wiederholungen |
| accusative | die Wiederholung | die Wiederholungen |
| dative | der Wiederholung | den Wiederholungen |
| genitive | der Wiederholung | der Wiederholungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'Wiederholung' (repetition/review) comes from the verb 'wiederholen' (to repeat). This is made up of 'wieder' (again) and 'holen' (to fetch) and describes the idea of doing or experiencing something again.
EXAMPLE
Die Wiederholung der Grammatikregeln ist sehr wichtig.
The review of the grammar rules is very important.
Context clues
You can recognize the exact meaning from the context. In connection with learning, it refers to study material (m03); with media, to broadcasts (m02); and with actions in general, to doing something again (m01).
EXAMPLE
Zur Wiederholung schauen wir uns die letzte Lektion an.
For review, we'll look at the last lesson.
Im Fernsehen läuft nur eine Wiederholung des alten Krimis.
There's only a rerun of the old crime drama on TV.
Typical collocations
In the general sense, the word is often used to describe negative things one wants to avoid. Typical phrases are 'die Wiederholung eines Fehlers' (the repetition of a mistake) or 'eine ständige Wiederholung derselben Argumente' (a constant repetition of the same arguments).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen eine Wiederholung dieses Problems unbedingt vermeiden.
We absolutely have to avoid a repetition of this problem.
Use in media contexts
When it comes to media, the preposition 'in' or the verb 'laufen' (to air/run) is often used. A program is then 'in der Wiederholung' (in reruns) or 'läuft als Wiederholung' (airs as a rerun).
EXAMPLE
Der Film lief gestern Abend nur als Wiederholung.
The film only aired as a rerun last night.
Use in learning contexts
When studying, 'Wiederholung' (review) is often used with the preposition 'zur' to express purpose. You do something 'zur Wiederholung' (for review).
EXAMPLE
Zur Wiederholung lesen wir den Text noch einmal laut.
For review, we'll read the text aloud once more.
Compare with
Wiederholung vs Neuauflage
new edition / rematch
„Wiederholung“ means that the same competition takes place or is held again. „Neuauflage“ is used when a previous matchup takes place again under new conditions, for example in a later season.
Wiederholung
Nach dem Abbruch findet morgen eine Wiederholung des Finales statt.
After the match was abandoned, the final will be replayed tomorrow.
Neuauflage
In der nächsten Saison kommt es zu einer Neuauflage des Finales zwischen denselben Mannschaften.
Next season, the same two teams will face each other again in a rematch of the final.
In real life
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