21 December 2025
How do you say protocol or record in German?
The German word for protocol or record is das Protokoll.Protokoll in German can mean official meeting minutes, lab reports, server logs, or even diplomatic procedures. It’s a word that shows up in administration, IT, science, and bureaucracy.
It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (and you can find it in our free illustrated PDF).
Gender and Pronunciation
It’s a neuter noun: das Protokoll.Want to learn the patterns for neuter nouns? This video lesson breaks them down clearly.
Pronunciation: Protokoll is pronounced [pʁotoˈkɔl]
,with stress on the last syllable. The first two o vowels are steady; the final o is short, with no English toll diphthong.
Example sentences
Wer schreibt heute das Protokoll?
Who’s taking the minutes today?
Ich habe das Protokoll der Sitzung gelesen.
I read the meeting minutes.
Bitte alles im Protokoll dokumentieren.
Please document everything in the report.
How does this word come up in real conversations?
“Hast du das Protokoll schon bekommen?”
Have you received the minutes yet?
“Im Protokoll steht, dass wir es besprochen haben.”
The minutes say we discussed it.
“Ich schreibe nie wieder das Protokoll!”
I’m never taking minutes again!
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Lena: Wer schreibt heute das Protokoll?Ben: Nicht ich - ich hab’s letzte Woche gemacht!Lena: Na gut, dann mach ich’s.Ben: Danke - du bist die Beste.
Translation:Lena: Who’s writing the minutes today?Ben: Not me - I did it last week!Lena: Alright, I’ll do it.Ben: Thanks - you’re the best.
Grammatical case examples
Nominative:Das Protokoll ist noch nicht fertig.
The minutes aren’t finished yet.
Accusative:Ich habe das Protokoll geschrieben.
I wrote the report.
Dative: Mit dem Protokoll können wir die Entscheidungen nachvollziehen.
With the minutes, we can follow the decisions.
Genitive:Der Inhalt des Protokolls ist vertraulich.
The contents of the report are confidential.
Other ways to say protocol or record in German
Besides Protokoll, you might see Bericht (report), Aufzeichnung (recording), or Log (in tech contexts). For a meeting record, Protokoll means minutes rather than English protocol. In diplomacy or IT, Protokoll can also mean protocol: diplomatic rules or a communication protocol. Depending on context, a prescribed procedure may instead be a Vorschrift or an Ablauf.
Word variations and tidbits
Terms include Sitzungsprotokoll (meeting minutes), Fehlzeitenprotokoll (absence log), Versuchsprotokoll (lab record), Protokollführung (note-taking responsibility), and Gedächtnisprotokoll (notes written from memory). The verb protokollieren means to log or record.
📘 Duden entry for Protokoll🎥 Want to keep perfect Protokoll of your learning? Our free video course teaches the top 1000 German nouns - with examples, clarity, and a printable PDF.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Do you know what Prüfung means? The Protokoll tells us if you passed.And what about Projekt? A good Protokoll tracks its every step.
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