ABBREVIATIONS
Some common abbreviations in German, and their English equivalents:
- a.a.O. = am angeführten Ort = loc. cit., in the cited location
- Abb. = Abbildung = illustration, fig.
- Abk. = Abkürzung = abbreviation
- Abs. = Absatz = paragraph
- A.D. = Anno Domini = C.E.
- a.D. = außer Dienst = retired; an der Donau = on the Danube River
- Adr. = Adresse = address
- a.M. = am Main = on the Main River
- amtl. = amtlich = official
- Anf. = Anfang = beginning
- Angest. = Angestellte(r) = employee
- Anm. = Anmerkung = note
- Aufl. = Auflage = edition
- ausschl. = ausschließlich = exclusive(ly), excluding
- b. = bei = at, with
- Bd. = Band = volume
- Bde. = Bände = volumes
- bes. = besonders = especially
- betr. = betreffend, betrifft = concerning, regarding
- Bez. = Bezirk = district
- bez. = bezahlt = paid; bezüglich = with reference to
- b.w. = bitte wenden = please turn over
- bzgl. = bezüglich = with reference to
- bzw. = beziehungsweise = respectively
- cand. = Kandidat = candidate
- cbm = Kublikmeter = cubic meter
- cent. = centium = hundred
- D = D-Zug = express train
- d.A. = der Ältere = the elder
- DB = Deutsche Bundesbahn = federal railroad; Deutsche Bundesbank =
federal bank
- DDR = Deutsche Demokratische Republik = German Democratic Republic
(former East Germany)
- dergl. = dergleichen = the like
- Dez. = Dezember = December
- d.Gr. = der Große = the great
- d.h. = das heißt = that is, i.e.
- d.i. = das ist = that is, i.e.
- DIN = Deutsche Industrie-Norm = German Industrial Standard
- Dipl. = Diplom = Diploma
- Dipl.-Kfm. = Diplomkaufmann = holds commerce degree
- Dipl.-Ing. = Diplomingenieur = holds engineering degree
- d.J. = dieses Jahres = of this year; der Jüngere = the younger
- DM = deutsche Mark = currency unit
- d.M. = dieses Monats = this month; dieses Moments = this instant
- d.O. = der/die/das Obige = the above-mentioned
- Doz. = Dozent = university lecturer
- dpa = Deutsche Presse Agentur = German Press Agency
- Dpf. = deutsche Pfennig = currency (100 Dpf = 1 DM)
- Dr. = Doktor = Doctor
- -jur. = Doktor der Rechte = Doctor of Laws (LLD)
- -med. = Doktor der Medizin = Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- -phil. = Doktor der Philosophie = Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- -theo. = Doktor der Theologie = Doctor of Divinity (DD)
- dt(sch). = deutsch = German
- Dtschld. = Deutschland = Germany
- Dtzt. = Dutzend = dozen
- d.U. = der/die Unterzeichnete = the undersigned
- d.Verf. = der Verfasser = the author
- dz. = derzeit = at present
- ebd. = ebenda = in the same place (ibid.)
- ehem., ehm. = ehemals = formerly; ehemalig = former
- eig., eigtl. = eigentlich = really, strictly speaking
- einschl. = einschließlich = inclusive, including
- Einw. = Einwohner = inhabitants
- entspr. = entsprechend = corresponding
- entw. = entweder = either; entwickelt = developed
- erstkl. = erstklassig = first-class
- erg. = ergänze = supply, add
- ETH = Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule = technical university or
college in Switzerland
- ev. = evangelisch = Lutheran
- evtl. = eventuell = probably, perhaps
- exkl. = exklusive = except(ed), not included
- Expl. = Exemplar = sample, copy
- f. = folgende (Seite) = following (page); ff. = following pages
- Fa. = Firma = firm
- Fak. = Facultät - faculty
- Fam. = Familie = family
- Febr. = Februar
- Fig. = Figur = figure
- fig. = figurlich = figurative
- FKK = Freikörperkultur = nudism
- fortl. = fortlaufend = running, successive
- Forts. = Fortsetung = continuation
- Fr. = Frau = Mrs.
- fr. = frei = free
- frdl. = freundlich = kind
- Frhr. = Freiherr = Baron
- frl. = Fräulein = Miss
- frz. = französisch = French
- FU = Freie Universität Berlin
- Fu = Funk = radio
- gar. = garantiert = guaranteed
- Geb. = Gebühr = charge, fee; Gebäude = building
- geb. = geboren = born; geborene = née; gebunden = bound
- Gebr. = Gebrüder = brothers
- gefl. = gefällig(st) = kind(ly), if you please
- gegr. = gegründet = founded
- gek. = gekürzt = abbreviated
- gem. = gemäß = according to; gemischt = mixed
- Gem. = Gemeinde = comunity, local authority
- Gen. = Genossenschaft = cooperatie society
- Gepr. = geprüft = tested
- Ges. = Gesellschaft; Gesetz = law
- gesch. = geschieden = divorced
- ges. gesch. = gesetzlich geschützt = registered, protected by law
- geschl. = geschloßen = closed, private
- Geschw. = Geschwister = brothers and sisters; Geschwindigkeit = speed
- gest. = gestorben = deceased
- gew. = gewisser = certain; gewöhnlich = usual(ly)
- gez. = gezeichnet = (in front of signatures) signed
- GG = Grundgesetz = Basic Constitutional Law
- ggez. = gegengezeichnet = countersigned
- ggf. = gegebenenfalls = if necessary, if the occasion arises
- GmbH - Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung = private limited company
- gr. = gratis
- gzj. = ganzjährig = all-year, year-round
- h = Stunde = hour
- habil. = habilitiert = of university degree
- haupts. = hauptsächlich = principally, mainly
- Hbf. = Hauptbahnhof = main station
- Hbg. = Hamburg
- Hdb. = Handbuch = handbook, manual
- Hdt. = Hundert = hundred
- herg. = hergestellt = made, produced
- Hj. = Halbjahr - half-year, semester
- Hl. = Heilige(r) = saint
- hl. = heilig = holy, sainted
- Hln. = Halbleinenband = half-cloth bound volume
- höfl. = höflich = kindly
- Hpst. = Hauptstadt = capital
- Hr., Hrn. = Herr(n) = Mr.
- Hrsg. = Herausgeber = editor
- hrsg. = herausgegeben = edited
- i. = in, im = in
- i.A. = im Auftrag von = for, by order of, under the instruction of
- i.allg. = im allgemeinen = in general
- i.B. = im Bau = under construction
- i.b. = im besonderen = in particular
- i.D. = im Durchschnitt = on an average
- id. = identisch = identical
- i.g. = im ganzen = on the whole
- i.J. = im Jahre = in the year
- i.L. = im Liquidation
- inbegr. = inbegriffend = included
- Ing. = Ingenieur = engineer
- inh. = Inhaber = proprietor; Inhalt = contents
- inkl. = inklusiv, einschließlich = inclusive(ly), including
- insb. = insbesondere = in particular
- insg. = insgesamt = altogether
- Int. = intendant = director
- inzw. = inzwischen = meanwhile, in the meantime
- i.S. = im Sinne (von) = in the meaning/the sense (of); in Sachen = in
re, in the matter of
- i.V. = in Vertretung = by proxy, on behalf of; im Vorjahr = in the
previous year; in Vorbereitung - in preparation
- i.W. = in Worten = in words
- i.w.S. = im weiteren Sinne = in a broad sense
- Jan. = Januar = January
- Jb. = Jahrbuch = annual
- jew. = jeweils = at a time
- Jg. = Jahrgang = age group, volume; Jugend = youth
- Jh. = Jahrhundert = century
- jhrl = jährlich = annual
- Kal. = Kalender = calendar
- Kap. = Kapitel = chapter
- kart. = kartoniert = bound in boards
- Kat. = Kategorie = category
- kath. = katholisch = Catholic
- Kfm. = Kaufmann = merchant
- Kfz. = Kraftfahrzeug = motor vehicle
- k.J. = kommenden Jahres = of next year
- Kl. = Classe = class
- komb. = kombiniert = combined
- Konf. = Konfession = religious denomination
- konst. = konstant = constant
- konv. = konventionell = conventional
- KP = Kommunistische Partei = communist party
- Kr(s) = Kreis = district
- Kto. = Konto = account
- KW = Kurzwelle = short wave
- KZ = Konzentrationslager = concentration camp
- led. = ledig = unmarried
- Lekt. = Lektion = lesson
- lfd. = laufend = current, running
- lfd. Jr = laufenden Jahres = of the current year
- lfd. Ms. = laufenden Monats = of the current month
- lfd. Nr. =laufende Nummer = current number
- Lfg., Lfrg. = Lieferung = delivery, installment
- Lkw. = Lastkraftwagen = truck
- Ln. = Leinen(einband) = cloth binding
- Lok = Lokomotiv
- lt. = laut = according to
- ltd. = leitend = managing
- Ltg. = Leitung = direction, management
- luth. = lutherisch = Lutheran
- LW = Langewelle = long wave
- M = Mark
- M.A. = Mittelalter = middle ages
- ma. = mittelalterlich = medieval
- m.a.W. = mit anderen Worten = in other words
- max = maximal
- m.b.H. = mit beschränkter Haftung = with limited liability
- m.E. = meines Erachtens = in my opinion
- mehrf. = mehrfach = multiple
- Mehrw.St. -=Mehrwertsteuer = value-added tax
- Meth. = Methode = method
- MEZ = mitteleuropäische Zeit = Central European Time
- mind. = minderjährig = minor; mindestens = at least
- möbl. = möbliert = furnished
- m.W. = meines Wissens = as far as I know
- N = Norden = north
- Nachdr. = Nachdrück = reprint
- Nachf. = Nachfolger = successor
- nachm. = nachmittages = in the afternoon
- Nachtr. = Nachtrag = appendix, supplement
- nat. = national
- naturw. = naturwissenschaftlich = scientific
- n.Br. = nördlicher Breite = of northern latitude
- n.Chr. = nach Christus = A.D., C.E.
- n.J. = nächsten Jahres = of next year
- n.M. = nächsten Monats = of next month
- NN = Normalnull = sea level
- Nov. = November
- Nr. = Nummber = number
- NS = Nachschrift = postscript
- N.T. = Neues Testament
- o. = oben = above; oder = or; ohne = without
- ö.A. = öffentliche Anstalt = public institution
- o.B. = ohne Befund (med.) = no appreciable disease
- obh. = oberhalb = above
- od. = oder = or
- OEZ = Osteuropäische Zeit = Eastern European Time
- öff. = öffentlich = public
- offiz. = offiziell = official
- o.J. = ohne Jahr = no date
- Okt. = Oktober = October
- ö.L. = östlicher Länge = of eastern longitude
- o.Prof. = ordentlicher Professor = (ordinary) professor
- organ. = organisch = organic
- Orig. = Original
- orth. = orthodox
- p.A. = per Adresse = care of
- Part. = parterre = group floow; Particip = participle
- pat. = patentiert = patented
- Pf. = Pfennig = German coin
- Pkt. = Punkt = point
- PKW/Pkw = Personenkraftwagen = car
- Pl. = Platz = square, place
- pl., Pl. = Plural = plural
- pol. = politisch = political; polizeilich = police
- pop. = populär = popular
- Pos. = position, post
- Postf. = Postfach = post-office box
- P.P. = to whom it may concern
- p.p., p.pa. = per proxy
- Priv.-Doz. = Privatdozent = (unsalaried) private lecturer
- Prof. = Professor
- prom. = promoviert = graduated
- PS = Pferdestärke(n) = horse power; postscript
- qm = Quadratmeter = square meter
- r. = rechts = on the right
- rd. = rund = roughly, in round figures
- Red. = Redakteur = editor; Redaktion = editorial staff, editor's
office
- Reg. = Regierung = government, administration; Regisseur = stage
manager
- Rel. = Religion
- resp. = respektive = respectively
- RHh. = Rechnungshalbjahr = half of the financial year
- RIAS = Rundfunk im amerikanischen Sektor (von Berlin) = Radio in the
American Sector of Berlin
- rm. = Raummeter = cubic meter
- röm. = römisch = Roman
- S = Süden = south
- S. Seite = page
- s. = siehe auch = see also, v.
- s.a. = siehe auch = see also, v.
- SB= Selbstbedienung = self-service
- SBB= Schweizerische Bundesbahnen = Swiss Federal Railways
- s.Br. = südlicher Breite = of southern latitude
- s.d. = siehe dies = see this
- SED = Sozialistische Einheitspartei = United Socialist Party of Germany
(GDR)
- Sek. = Sekunde = second
- selbst. = selbstständig = independent
- sen. = senior, der Ältere = senior
- Sept. = September
- Ser. = Series
- s.o. = siehe oben = see above
- sog. = sogenannt = so-called
- soz. = sozial(istisch) = social(ist)
- spez. = speziell = special; spezifisch = specific
- SS = Sommersemester = summer term
- StAng. = Staatsangehörige(r) = citizen; Staatsangehörigkeit =
nationality, citizenship
- St., Stde. = Stunde = hour
- stdl. = stündlich = hourly
- stellv. = stellvertretend = assistant
- StGB = Strafgesetzbuch = Penal Code
- DtKl = Steuerklasse = tax bracket
- Str. = Straße = street
- stud. = studiosis = student
- svw = sovielwie = as much as
- s.Z. = seinerzeit = at that time
- tägl. = täglich = daily, per day
- TEE = Trans-Europ-Express train
- Teilh. = Teilhaber = partner
- Teilz. = Teilzahlung = part-payment; Teilzeit = part-time
- tg = Tangens = tangent
- TH = Technische Hochschule = technical university or college
- Tsd. = Tausend = thousand
- TU = Technische Universität = technical university
- TV = Turnverein = gymnastics club
- u. = und = and
- u.a. = und ander(s) = and other(s); unter anderem or anderen = among
other things, inter alia
- u.ä. = und ähnliche(s) = and the like
- U.A.w.g. = Um Antwort wird gebeten = RSVP
- übl. = üblich = usual
- u.dgl. = und desgleichen = and the like (can be feminine and plural, as
well)
- u.D.Ltg. = unter der Leitung von = under the direction of
- u.d.M. = unter dem Meeresspiegel = below sea level; ü.d.M. = über .. .
= above sea level
- UdSSR = Union der Sozialistischen Sowjetrepubliken
- u.d.T. = unter dem Titel = under the title of
- u.E. = unseres Erachtens = in or opinion
- u.f., u.ff. = und folgende = and the following
- UKW = Ultrakurzwelle = ultra short wave
- ult. = ultimo = on the last day of the month
- U/min. = Umdrehungen in der Minute = revolutions per minute
- Univ. = Universität = university
- univ. = universal
- unverk. = unverkäuflich = not for sale
- urspr. = ursprünglich = original(ly)
- US(A) = Vereinigte Staaten (von Amerika)
- usf. = und so fort = and so forth
- usw. = und so weiter = and so on, etc.
- u.U. = unter Umständen = circumstances permitting
- u.ü.V. = unter üblichen Vorbehalt = with the usual reservations
- u.v.a.(m.) = und viele(s) andere mehr = and many others more
- u.W. = unseres Wissens = as far as we know
- u.zw. = und zwar = that is, namely
- v. = von = of, from, by
- var. = variabel = variable
- v.A.w. = von Amts wegen = ex officio, officilly
- VEB = Volkseigener Betrieb = People's Enterprise (GDR)
- Verbr.Pr. = Verbraucherpreis = consumer price
- Verf., Vf. = Verfasser = author
- verh. = verheiratet = married
- Verl. = Verlag = publishing firm; Verleger = publisher
- verl. = verlängert = prolonged, extended
- Verm. = note; Vermögen = property
- versch. = verschieden = different
- verst. = verstorben = deceased
- vgl. = vergleiche = compare, cf.
- v.g.u. = vorgelesen, genehmigt, unterschrieben = read, confirmed,
signed
- v.H. = von Hundert = per cent
- v.J. = vorigen Jahres = of last year
- v.M. = vorigen Monats = of last month
- v.o. = von oben
- Vollm. = Vollmacht = authority, full power
- vollst. = vollstUandig = complete
- vorl. = vorläufig = provisional
- vorm. = vormittage = in the morning, AM; vormals = formerly
- Vors. = Vorsitzender = chairman
- v.R.w. = von Rechts wegen = de jure, by operation of law
- v.T. = von Tausend = per thousand
- v.u. = von unten = from below
- WE = Wärmeeinheit = thermal unit
- WEZ = Westeuropäische Zeit = Western European Time (Greenwich Mean
Time)
- Whg. = Wohnung = apartment
- Wkst. = Werkstatt = workshop
- w.L. = westlicher Länge = of western longitude
- w.o. = wie oben = as above mentioned
- WS = Wintersemester = winter term
- Wwe. = Witwe = widow
- Wwr. = Witwer = widower
- Wz. = Warenzeichen = registered trademark
- Z. = Zahl = number; Zeile = line
- z. = zu, zum, zur = at, to
- z.A. = zur Ansicht = for approval, for inspection
- z.B. = zum Beispiel = for instance, e.g.
- zck = zurück = back, returned
- z.d.A. = zu den Akten = to be filed
- zfr. = zollfrei = duty-free
- zgl. = zugleich = at the same time
- z.H(d). = zu Händen = attention of, to be delivered to, care of
- Zi. = Zimmer = room
- Ziff. = Ziffer = figure
- z.K. = zur Kenntnisnahme = for information, FYI
- z.S. = zur Sache = to the subject; zur See = of the navy
- z.T. = zum Teil = partly
- Ztg. = Zeitung = newspaper
- Ztr = Zentner = hundredweight
- Ztschr. = Zeitschrift = periodical
- Zub. = Zubehör = accessories
- zuf. = zufolge = as a result ot, due to
- zus. = zusammen = together
- zw. = zwischen = between, among
- z.Wv. = zur Wiedervorlage = for renewed submission
- z.w.V. - zur weiteren Veranlassung = for further action
- z.Z(t). = zur Zeit = at this time, at present, for the time being