Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Anerkennungsschreiben | neuter | |
| Empfehlungsschreiben | /ɛmˈp͡feːlʊŋsˌʃʁaɪ̯bn̩/ | neuter |
| Testimonial | neuter |
In German, the choice of word depends on whether you are referring to a letter recognizing an achievement, a formal letter of recommendation for a job or a marketing-style customer endorsement. In professional or academic settings, the formal term Referenz can also be used to mean a testimonial.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Anerkennungsschreiben is a compound noun consisting of Anerkennung (recognition) and Schreiben (letter or writing).
Which one should you use?
Anerkennungsschreiben is used when the focus is on the recognition of an achievement. Empfehlungsschreiben is the standard term specifically for a letter of recommendation used in job applications. The loanword Testimonial is used primarily in marketing and digital contexts to describe customer reviews or endorsements, rather than formal academic or professional letters.
How does it change in a sentence?
The neuter nouns Anerkennungsschreiben and Empfehlungsschreiben do not change their form in the plural. Both 'recognition letters' and 'recommendation letters' are written as Anerkennungsschreiben and Empfehlungsschreiben respectively. For the loanword Testimonial, the plural form is Testimonials.
Did you know?
- In Germany, the Arbeitszeugnis is a legally required testimonial given to employees when they leave a job. Unlike in the US, these documents are often written in a coded language that employers use to signal a worker's performance without using overtly negative words.
- In German professional culture, the Arbeitszeugnis is so standardized that lawyers are often hired to decode the specific phrasing to see if a 'good' testimonial is actually a hidden warning.
- While Testimonial is a loanword from English, Germans use it almost exclusively for paid celebrity endorsements or digital marketing. A person who writes a genuine, unpaid letter of praise would never call their document a Testimonial.
Examples in context
- Ich habe eine positive Referenz für Herrn Schmidt verfasst.I have written a positive testimonial for Mr. Schmidt.
- Ihr Empfehlungsschreiben hat mir sehr geholfen.Your testimonial has been very helpful to me.
- Die positiven Bewertungen sind ein beeindruckendes Zeugnis für unsere Qualität.The positive testimonials are an impressive testament to our quality.
- Ich möchte meinen Erfahrungsbericht zu unserem Urlaub teilen.I would like to share my testimonial about our vacation.
- Vielen Dank für die positiven Rückmeldungen!Thank you for the positive feedback!
- Dieses Anerkennungsschreiben ist sehr hilfreich für meine Bewerbung.This testimonial is very helpful for my application.
Example conversation
Laura asks Lukas for a professional recommendation.
- LauraLukas, schreibst du mir ein Anerkennungsschreiben?Lukas, will you write a testimonial for me?
- LukasJa, gerne. Wann brauchst du es?Yes, gladly. When do you need it?
- LauraIch möchte es morgen abschicken.I want to send it tomorrow.
- LukasAlles klar, ich schreibe es heute Abend.All right, I will write it tonight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “testimonial” translations and entries Empfehlungsschreiben, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
