Abschluss

Abschluss is a German noun that denotes the act or result of finishing something, or the point at which something is completed. Etymologically it combines ab- (away, off) with Schluss (end, closure), signaling a closure or finish. The term is used in a range of contexts, from everyday remarks about finishing a task to formal designations of qualification.

In education, Abschluss refers to a degree or certificate indicating attainment. Schulabschluss means the completion of compulsory or secondary education, with common variants such as Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, and Abitur. Hochschulabschluss covers higher education degrees, including Bachelor, Master, Diplom, Staatsexamen, and other qualifications, often accompanied by an Abschlusszeugnis. A final exam is called Abschlussprüfung, and the ceremony marking the achievement is the Abschlussfeier or graduation.

In legal and business language, Abschluss denotes the conclusion or completion of an agreement or negotiations, as in Vertragsabschluss or Verhandlungsabschluss. It can also refer to the closing of accounts or projects—e.g., the Abschluss eines Projekts.

In general usage, Abschluss can describe an end state after a process, a conclusive result, or a finalized decision. The term has translations such as completion, conclusion, graduation, or degree, depending on the context.

See also: Graduation, Abschlussprüfung, Schulabschluss, Hochschulabschluss, Vertragsabschluss.