Entscheid

Entscheid is a German noun meaning “decision” or “ruling.” It denotes a determination issued by a person or body, such as a court, an administrative authority, or a committee. In everyday language it can refer to the act of deciding, but in formal contexts it refers to the decision itself.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from the verb entscheiden, meaning “to decide.” Rechtssprachlich a shortened or more technical form, Entscheid is common in legal and administrative language. The more general term for a decision in standard German is usually Entscheidung.

In legal contexts: In German law, a Entscheid can refer to decisions issued by courts or authorities and may cover procedural rulings as well as substantive determinations. Distinctions are often drawn with related terms: a court’s final verdict in civil or criminal matters is typically called an Urteil; a procedural or interim ruling may be a Beschluss. While Urteil denotes the final adjudication, Entscheid can function as a broader or more neutral reference to a court or agency’s decision.

Regional and contextual notes: The word is widely understood across German-speaking areas, but its prevalence varies. In everyday German, people more often say Entscheidung. The form Entscheid is frequently encountered in legal texts, official documents, and, in some regions, Swiss German, where it is especially common in administrative language.

See also: Entscheidung, Urteil, Beschluss, Verwaltungsakt.