noun

das Gutachten, –

report · expert opinion

Eine schriftliche fachliche Einschätzung, in der eine Expertin oder ein Experte ein Thema prüft und bewertet.

Definition & meaning

A Gutachten is a formal, written expert opinion or assessment. It is typically prepared by a specialist, known as a Gutachter , to provide an authoritative evaluation of a specific situation, object, or person.

Common uses include:

Legal/Medical: A doctor or psychologist providing a formal assessment of a patient's health or mental state for a court case or insurance claim.
Technical: An engineer evaluating the structural integrity of a building or the cause of a mechanical failure.
Financial: An appraiser determining the market value of a property or a business.

Unlike a simple opinion, a Gutachten is expected to be objective, evidence-based, and follows professional standards.

Grammar & Word origin

The word is a neuter noun (das Gutachten). Its plural form remains the same: die Gutachten.

It is a compound of two parts:

gut : Meaning "good" or "well."
achten : In this context, it relates to the old usage of "regarding" or "considering" something (similar to "erachten" ).

Historically, the term suggests a "well-considered" judgment or a competent appraisal.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

Expertise : Often used for high-level specialized reports.
Bewertung : A more general term for an evaluation or rating.
Beurteilung : An assessment or judgment.
Stellungnahme : A formal statement or position on an issue, though often less comprehensive than a full report.
Befund : Usually refers to a medical or technical finding.

Antonyms: There is no direct opposite of a formal report, but in terms of authority, it can be contrasted with:

Meinung : A personal, subjective opinion that lacks the formal status of an expert report.
Vermutung : A guess or suspicion without documented evidence.