die  Integration

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɪntɛɡʁaˈt͡si̯oːn/

🤝 What does 'die Integration' mean?

Die Integration is a feminine noun with several meanings:

• Societal/Social: The most common meaning refers to the incorporation or inclusion of individuals or groups into a society or community, especially immigrants. It's about enabling participation and breaking down barriers. 🫂
• Mathematical: In mathematics, die Integration refers to a method in calculus used to calculate areas under curves, volumes, and other quantities. It's the inverse operation of differentiation (*die Ableitung*). 📈
• Technical/Systemic: It can also mean the incorporation or merging of different parts into a functioning whole (e.g., *Systemintegration*). ⚙️

🚨 Be sure to understand the context to grasp the correct meaning.

🧐 Grammar of 'die Integration' in Detail

The word *"Integration"* is a feminine noun. The article is always die. Nouns ending in -ion are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Societal: Die erfolgreiche Integration von Flüchtlingen ist eine wichtige gesellschaftliche Aufgabe.
   (The successful integration of refugees is an important societal task.)
2. Mathematical: Die Integration dieser Funktion liefert die Fläche unter der Kurve.
   (The integration of this function yields the area under the curve.)
3. Technical: Die Integration der neuen Software in das bestehende System verlief problemlos.
   (The integration of the new software into the existing system went smoothly.)

🗣️ How to use 'die Integration'?

• Societal Context: Often used in political discussions, social sciences, education, and migration research. People talk about *gelungene Integration* (successful integration) or *fehlgeschlagene Integration* (failed integration), *soziale Integration* (social integration), *Integration in den Arbeitsmarkt* (integration into the labor market).
• Mathematical Context: Mainly in higher mathematics and physics. One speaks of the *Integration einer Funktion* (integration of a function), *bestimmte Integration* (definite integration), or *unbestimmte Integration* (indefinite integration).
• Technical Context: In IT, engineering, and project management when systems, components, or processes are merged (e.g., *Datenintegration* - data integration, *API-Integration* - API integration).

⚠️ Don't confuse "Integration" (inclusion) with "Integrität" (integrity).

💡 Mnemonics for 'Integration'

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ion usually take *die* in German, like *die Station*, *die Nation*. So it's die Integration!

Meaning Mnemonic (Social): Think of *inter*action for *Integra*tion – people coming together, interacting to become part of the whole society.

Meaning Mnemonic (Math): Imagine you are *integrating* (gathering) infinitely many tiny pieces (differentials) to get the *integral* (whole) area.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Similar Words:

• Integrität: Means *integrity*, *probity*, or *wholeness*. Don't confuse it with *Integration*!

😂 A Little Joke

Warum ist die Integration in der Mathematik so gut im Zusammenbringen von Dingen?
Weil sie immer die Grenzen überwindet und alle Teile unter einer Kurve vereint! 😉

(Why is integration in mathematics so good at bringing things together?
Because it always overcomes boundaries and unites all the parts under one curve! 😉)

✍️ Poem about Integration

Ein Mosaik, bunt und reich,
macht die Gesellschaft niemals gleich.
Doch jeder Stein, ob groß, ob klein,
soll Teil des Ganzen sein.
Die Integration, ein zartes Band,
verbindet Herzen, Stadt und Land.
Mit Offenheit und Mut,
wird alles gut.

(A mosaic, colourful and rich,
never makes society the same.
But every stone, whether large or small,
should be part of the whole.
Integration, a tender ribbon,
connects hearts, city and country.
With openness and courage,
everything will be alright.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bringe Fremde näher ran,
in Schule, Arbeit, nebenan.
In Mathe rechne ich die Fläche fein,
Teile füg' ich zu 'nem Ganzen ein.

Was bin ich?

(I bring strangers closer,
in school, at work, next door.
In math, I calculate the area precisely,
I join parts into a whole.

What am I?)

Solution: die Integration

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The word *"Integration"* comes from the Latin verb integrare, meaning "to restore," "to complete," or "to make whole." The underlying adjective is integer, meaning "untouched," "whole."

Integrationskurs: In Germany, there are special language and orientation courses for immigrants called Integrationskurse. They are designed to promote social *Integration*.