die  Kollision

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔliˈzi̯oːn/

💥 What does "die Kollision" mean?

The word die Kollision (feminine) generally describes the sudden, forceful impact of two or more objects or forces. It has several nuances in meaning:

• Physical impact: The most common meaning refers to a crash or impact, e.g., between vehicles (Autounfall - car accident), celestial bodies, or particles in physics. Example: Die Kollision der beiden Autos verursachte erheblichen Schaden. (The collision of the two cars caused significant damage.)
• Conflict or clash: It can also describe a conflict between interests, opinions, duties, or goals. Example: Es gab eine Kollision zwischen ihren beruflichen Pflichten und ihren persönlichen Überzeugungen. (There was a collision between her professional duties and her personal beliefs.)
• Data processing: In computer science, a Kollision refers to the event when two or more data packets are transmitted over the same network segment simultaneously, or when a hash function produces the same output for different inputs (hash collision). Example: Netzwerk-Kollisionen können die Datenübertragung verlangsamen. (Network collisions can slow down data transmission.)

⚠️ Since it only takes the article die, the assignment is clearly feminine. Confusion with other articles is not possible here.

🧐 Grammar of "die Kollision" in Detail

"Die Kollision" is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences:

1. Die Polizei untersucht die Ursache der Kollision.
   (The police are investigating the cause of the collision.)
2. Trotz der Heftigkeit der Kollision gab es keine Verletzten.
   (Despite the severity of the collision, there were no injuries.)
3. Bei der Kollision wurden beide Fahrzeuge beschädigt.
   (Both vehicles were damaged in the collision.)
4. Der Zeuge beschrieb die Kollision detailliert.
   (The witness described the collision in detail.)
5. Auf dieser Strecke kommt es häufig zu Kollisionen.
   (Collisions frequently occur on this route.)
6. Die Auswertung der Kollisionen hilft, Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu verbessern.
   (The analysis of the collisions helps to improve safety measures.)
7. Man versucht, durch neue Regeln solchen Kollisionen vorzubeugen.
   (They are trying to prevent such collisions with new rules.)
8. Moderne Autosysteme können helfen, Kollisionen zu vermeiden.
   (Modern car systems can help to avoid collisions.)

🗣️ How to use "Kollision"?

"Die Kollision" is used in various contexts:

• Verkehr (Traffic): Very common in the context of accidents (Autokollision - car collision, Zugkollision - train collision).
• Physik/Astronomie (Physics/Astronomy): Describing impacts of particles, atoms, molecules, or celestial bodies (Teilchenkollision - particle collision, Galaxienkollision - galaxy collision).
• Recht/Politik/Wirtschaft (Law/Politics/Economy): When interests, rights, duties, or norms clash incompatibly (Interessenkollision - conflict of interest, Normenkollision - conflict of norms, Pflichtenkollision - conflict of duties).
• Informatik (Computer Science): For conflicts in network traffic or with hash functions (Netzwerkkollision - network collision, Hash-Kollision - hash collision).

The word often carries a negative connotation, as it usually describes undesirable events or conflicts.

Comparison: While Zusammenstoß or Aufprall are often used synonymously for the physical meaning, Kollision sometimes also emphasizes the aspect of conflict or incompatibility, especially in more abstract contexts.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Kollision"

Article Mnemonic: Think of a big explosion – in German, that's 'die Explosion', which is feminine. Just like die Kollision. Words ending in -sion in German are typically feminine.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word sounds very similar to the English "collision". If you know the English word, you immediately know it's about an impact or crash. Imagine two things 'colliding'.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Similar-sounding but different words:

• Kollaboration: (Collaboration) Sounds similar but means cooperation, the opposite of conflict.
• Kollektion: (Collection) Has phonetic similarity but a completely different meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Treffen sich zwei Planeten. Sagt der eine: "Du, ich glaub, ich hab Homo Sapiens." Sagt der andere: "Mach dir nichts draus, das geht vorbei." – Kurz darauf: Eine heftige Kollision! Fragt der zweite Planet: "Was war das denn?" Antwortet der erste: "Hab doch gesagt, das geht vorbei!" 😉

Translation: Two planets meet. One says: "Hey, I think I've caught Homo Sapiens." The other says: "Don't worry about it, it'll pass." – Shortly after: A massive collision! The second planet asks: "What was that?" The first one replies: "Told you, it'll pass!" 😉

📜 Poem about Collision

Zwei Sterne, auf kosmischer Bahn,
zogen einst stolz voran.
Doch Schicksal wollte den Disput,
es endete in Feuersglut.
Die Kollision, ein greller Blitz,
zerstörte beider alten Sitz.
Auch auf der Erde, klein und grau,
kennt man den Crash nur allzu genau.
Ob Blech, ob Meinung, die sich reibt,
die Kollision oft Narben schreibt.

Translation:
Two stars, on cosmic trajectory,
once moved forward proudly.
But fate desired the dispute,
it ended in a fiery loot.
The collision, a glaring flash,
destroyed the old place of both in a dash.
Also on Earth, small and grey,
one knows the crash all too well, they say.
Whether metal, or opinion's friction,
the collision often writes affliction (scars).

❓ Riddle

Ich bin ein Treffen, doch kein Fest,
gebe Dingen oft den Rest.
Im Verkehr bin ich gefürchtet sehr,
bring' manchmal auch die Feuerwehr.
Auch zwischen Zielen kann ich sein,
bring' Pläne oft zum Fall allein.

Was bin ich?
... Die Kollision

Translation:
I am a meeting, but not a feast,
often giving things their final rest.
In traffic, I am feared a lot,
sometimes bringing firefighters to the spot.
Between goals, I can also reside,
often making plans alone subside.

What am I?
... The Collision (die Kollision)

🤓 Trivia

• Wortherkunft (Etymology): The word comes from the Latin collisio (genitive collisionis), meaning "striking together, collision". It derives from the verb collidere ("to strike together").
• Wortzusammensetzungen (Compound Words): "Kollision" is often part of compound nouns to specify the type of collision, e.g.:
  • Frontalkollision (head-on collision)
  • Heckkollision (rear-end collision)
  • Interessenkollision (conflict of interest)
  • Datenkollision (data collision in IT)
  • Kollisionskurs (collision course)