German word

zuschreiben

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈt͡suːˌʃʁaɪ̯bn̩/

Meaning

  • verbattribute

Example

Er schreibt seinen Erfolg dem Team zu.

He attributes his success to the team.

Illustration for zuschreiben (attribute)

More examples

Viele Wissenschaftler schreiben Beobachtungen dem Klimawandel zu.

Many scientists attribute observations to climate change.

Core concept

An invisible line connects an achievement, cause, or quality to the person or thing to which it is assigned.

Common phrases

  • jemandem etwas zuschreiben

    attribute something to someone

  • etwas dem Zufall zuschreiben

    attribute something to chance

  • einem Werk einen Autor zuschreiben

    attribute an author to a work

Similar words

unterstellen: To attribute bad intentions or qualities to someone without proof.
zurechnen: To treat a result or responsibility as belonging to a particular person.
beimessen: To attach a certain degree of value or importance to something.
anrechnen: To count a number or period as part of another total.

Definition in German

Einer Person oder Sache eine Eigenschaft, Ursache oder Leistung zuordnen

Word origin

Zuschreiben is formed from the prefix zu- and schreiben, and its concrete sense of writing something toward an account developed into assigning credit, causes, or qualities.

Usage tips

  • The person or thing receiving the attribution is in the dative, as in jemandem den Erfolg zuschreiben, while the attributed matter is in the accusative.

Other meanings

  • ascribeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Zuschreibungattributionnoun
  • zuschreibbarattributableadjective

Word lists with this word