German word

Referat

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁefəˈʁaːt/

Meaning

  • neuter nounpresentation

Example

Ich halte heute ein Referat über Umweltschutz.

I'm giving a presentation on environmental protection today.

Illustration for Referat (presentation)

More examples

Ich habe ein ausführliches Referat vorbereitet.

I have prepared a detailed presentation.

Core concept

A speaker guides listeners through a compact, organized account of one topic.

Common phrases

  • ein ausführliches Referat vorbereiten

    prepare a detailed presentation

  • vor Publikum ein Referat halten

    give a presentation before an audience

  • Feedback zu einem Referat geben

    give feedback on a presentation

Similar words

Vortrag: A prepared, fairly formal talk that explains a topic in some detail.
Präsentation: An explanation supported by slides or other visual materials.
Rede: An expressive public speech that shares opinions or urges action.

Definition in German

Das Referat bezeichnet eine kurze, strukturierte Präsentation oder Erläuterung zu einem bestimmten Thema, oft mündlich vorgetragen.

Word origin

The noun comes from Latin referre, meaning 'to bring back' or 'to report', and entered German as a learned term for reporting on a subject.

Usage tips

  • The standard collocation is 'ein Referat über' followed by the accusative case, as in 'ein Referat über Umweltschutz'.

Other meanings

  • talknoun
  • reportnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word