Anhangs

Anhangs is the genitive singular form of the German noun Anhang, which denotes an attachment, appendix, or supplement to a document, message, or work. The base form Anhang is masculine (der Anhang) and its standard plural is Anhänge. The genitive singular, des Anhangs, is used to indicate belonging or relation to the attachment.

In practice, Anhang refers to what is attached to a letter, email, or document, such as a file or a dataset. When talking about more than one attached item, the plural Anhänge is used. In formal writing, Anhang also designates the appended material at the end of a report or book, i.e., the appendix.

Other related terms include Beilage and Anlage, which are commonly used as synonyms for an attachment or enclosure, though with slight nuance. Beilage is often used in printed documents and mailings, while Anlage can also denote an investment or asset in financial contexts; in everyday use, Anhänge is the standard plural for multiple attachments.

Origin and usage notes: Anhang comes from Germanic roots and has been in use since the Middle Ages to describe material attached to a broader work or message. The form Anhangs appears almost exclusively as the genitive singular, as in des Anhangs des Berichts.