to attribute / credit
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to attribute
To assign something to someone or something as a cause, creator, or characteristic. One believes that a certain person or thing is responsible for something or has a certain quality.
Man schreibt diesem Künstler einen großen Einfluss auf die moderne Malerei zu.
This artist is attributed with having a great influence on modern painting.
to credit
In a formal or legal context, to officially assign someone property or an amount of money, or to credit it to an account.
Die Zinsen für das letzte Quartal wurden dem Sparkonto bereits zugeschrieben.
The interest for the last quarter has already been credited to the savings account.
'Zuschreiben' (to attribute / credit) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zu' comes at the end of the main clause, while in a subordinate clause it remains attached to the verb.
Der Experte schreibt das Bild einem unbekannten Maler zu.
The expert attributes the painting to an unknown painter.
This verb almost always requires a person or thing in the dative to which something is assigned. The typical structure is: subject + zuschreiben + dative object + accusative object.
Man schreibt ihm die Fähigkeit zu, Menschen zu motivieren.
People attribute to him the ability to motivate others.
You can recognize the meaning from the object: If it involves abstract things like influence, qualities, or responsibility, the first meaning is intended. If it involves money, interest, or credit balances, the financial meaning is intended.
Diesem Kraut schreibt man eine heilende Wirkung zu.
This herb is attributed with a healing effect.
to owe
Both verbs can identify a cause of success. zuschreiben neutrally attributes the success to a person or thing; verdanken additionally shows that something positive resulted from it and often implies gratitude. For a factual cause, zuschreiben is appropriate; for a benefit one recognizes and appreciates, verdanken is often the better choice.
Mia schreibt ihren Erfolg der gründlichen Vorbereitung zu.
Mia attributes her success to thorough preparation.
Mia verdankt ihren Erfolg der gründlichen Vorbereitung.
Mia owes her success to thorough preparation.
