01
der Wortlaut
wording
The exact, unchanged wording of a text, statement, or law.
example
Können Sie mir bitte den genauen Wortlaut des Vertragszitats vorlesen?
Could you please read me the exact wording of the contract quotation?
der Wortlaut
wording
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
'Wortlaut' consists of 'Wort' (word) and 'Laut' (sound). So it describes the “sound of the words” and refers to the exact, letter-for-letter wording.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt prüfte den genauen Wortlaut des Dokuments.
The lawyer checked the exact wording of the document.
Register and style
This word is mainly used in formal, official, or legal contexts when the precise wording matters. It is rather rare in everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Im Gesetz ist der genaue Wortlaut entscheidend.
In the law, the exact wording is decisive.
Typical collocations
'Wortlaut' (wording) is often combined with the adjective 'genau' (exact) or 'wörtlich' (literal). A fixed expression is 'laut Wortlaut', which means “according to the exact wording.”
EXAMPLE
Laut Wortlaut des Vertrags müssen wir die Kosten übernehmen.
According to the wording of the contract, we have to cover the costs.
Compare with
Wortlaut vs Sinn
meaning / sense
'der Sinn' and 'der Wortlaut' can both be important when you want to understand a text or statement. But they do not mean the same thing. 'Sinn' is the meaning or intention behind the words. 'Wortlaut' is the exact wording, that is, the words exactly as they were spoken or written. Learners may confuse the words because you often need both when dealing with texts. Remember: the 'Wortlaut' is the exact form; the 'Sinn' is what is meant by it.
Wortlaut
Sie prüft den genauen Wortlaut des Vertrags vor der Unterschrift.
She checks the exact wording of the contract before signing it.
Sinn
Wenn du nur einzelne Wörter liest, verstehst du den Sinn des Satzes vielleicht nicht.
If you only read individual words, you may not understand the meaning of the sentence.
In real life
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