German Conversation · Level 3
88 words
German word
Tat
Pronunciation
IPA/taːt/
Meaning
- feminine nounact
Example
Er hat die Tat gestanden.
He confessed to the act.
More examples
Sie hat für den Nachbarn eine gute Tat getan.
She has done a good deed for the neighbor.
Core concept
A single completed deed, viewed as one concrete event that may be admirable or criminal.
Common phrases
eine gute Tat tun
do a good deed
Similar words
Handlung: A single action carried out with a particular purpose or under specific circumstances.
Verhalten: A person's usual way of acting or conducting themselves.
Straftat: An act that breaks the law and is punishable.
Definition in German
Tat ist ein einzelnes, konkretes Tun oder Handeln, das von jemandem vorgenommen wurde.
Word origin
Tat is an inherited Germanic noun formed from the verb tun, with Old High German tāt and Middle High German tât as earlier forms.
Usage tips
- Tat is feminine, so the forms are die Tat and die Taten; it refers to a specific deed rather than activity in general.