Satz

Satz is a German noun with several related yet distinct meanings. Its sense varies by field, spanning linguistics, mathematics, music, typography, and sports. The word derives from the verb setzen, with a core sense of placing, arranging, or composing something.

In linguistics, ein Satz denotes a sentence—a major unit of syntax. It can also refer more broadly to a clause or proposition within a sentence, with related terms such as Hauptsatz (main clause) and Nebensatz (subordinate clause). In formal logic or linguistic analysis, Satz may be used to refer to a declarative statement or proposition.

In mathematics, Satz means a theorem or proposition—a formally proven statement. German mathematical texts commonly use Satz to label significant results, as in the Pythagoras-Satz or Fermat-Satz, paralleling the English terms theorem or proposition.

In music, Satz describes a movement or section of a larger work, such as a symphony in three Sätze. It can also refer to the act of composing or arranging a piece of music, emphasizing a completed musical unit within a larger composition.

In typography and printing, der Satz denotes typesetting or the arrangement of text on a page; the process of setting type is called Satz. The term historically connects to assembling lines of movable type into a readable page.

In sports, particularly tennis, volleyball, and table tennis, ein Satz is a set—the basic unit of match scoring consisting of a fixed number of games.

As a general term, Satz can signify a set or collection (ein Satz von Werkzeugen) and, in logic or philosophy, a statement or assertion. The exact meaning is determined by context.