Aufzeichnung

/ˈaʊ̯fˌt͡saɪ̯çnʊŋ/
recording

Die Aufzeichnung des Konzerts war von hoher Qualität.

The recording of the concert was of high quality.


neutral

A process of storing data, sound, or images for later playback or analysis.

Er hat die Vorlesung auf seinem Handy aufgezeichnet.

He recorded the lecture on his phone.

Die Aufzeichnung der Daten erfolgt automatisch.

The recording of the data happens automatically.

Commonly used in technical, academic, and everyday contexts.

formal

A written or printed document that serves as a record or proof of something.

Die Aufzeichnung des Vertrags wurde unterzeichnet.

The record of the contract was signed.

Often used in legal or official contexts.

Collocations

Tonaufzeichnungaudio recordingVideoaufzeichnungvideo recordingDatenaufzeichnungdata recordingAufzeichnung machento make a recording

Pro Tip

Common Mistakes

Avoid using 'Aufzeichnung' for 'drawing' or 'sketch'—use 'Zeichnung' instead. Also, 'Aufzeichnung' is not used for 'notes' in the sense of handwritten annotations (use 'Notizen').

Gold Rule

Context Matters

Pay attention to whether 'Aufzeichnung' refers to a physical document (e.g., a contract record) or a digital/technical recording (e.g., audio or video). The context will guide the correct translation.

Word Origin

From the verb 'aufzeichnen' (to record), which is a combination of 'auf-' (a prefix indicating upward or completion) and 'zeichnen' (to draw, sketch, or mark). The word dates back to the 18th century.

Usage Notes

In modern German, 'Aufzeichnung' is widely used in both technical and everyday contexts. It can refer to any form of recording, whether audio, video, or data. In academic settings, it often refers to lecture recordings.

Word Breakdown

auf-
prefix indicating completion or upward direction
prefix
+
-zeichnung
from 'zeichnen' (to draw/mark)
root
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch