die  Population

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/pɔpulaˈt͡si̯oːn/

🌍 What does "die Population" mean?

The word die Population, which is feminine in German, refers to several concepts:

• Demography/Sociology: The entirety of the inhabitants of a specific geographical area (e.g., a city, a country). In this sense, it's often synonymous with die Bevölkerung (the population/people), but sometimes perceived as slightly more technical. 🏙️
• Biology: A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area and potentially interbreeding. 🌿🐒
• Statistics: The total set of observations or elements from which samples can be drawn; the target group about which inferences are to be made. 📊

While often interchangeable with "Bevölkerung" in the demographic sense, "Population" can also carry these more specific scientific meanings.

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Population

The noun "Population" is feminine. The correct article is therefore die. It declines as follows:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural of "Population" is "Populationen".

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Population dieser Stadt ist in den letzten zehn Jahren stark gewachsen.
   (The population of this city has grown significantly in the last ten years.) - Demography
2. Forscher untersuchen die genetische Vielfalt verschiedener Tierpopulationen.
   (Researchers are studying the genetic diversity of different animal populations.) - Biology
3. Für die Umfrage wurde eine repräsentative Stichprobe aus der Gesamtpopulation gezogen.
   (For the survey, a representative sample was drawn from the total population.) - Statistics

🗣️ When and How to Use "Population"?

"Die Population" is a versatile word, and its usage depends on the context:

• Everyday life and news: Often synonymous with "Bevölkerung" when talking about the number of inhabitants. Example: "Die alternde Population stellt Deutschland vor Herausforderungen." (The aging population poses challenges for Germany.)
• In Biology: Refers specifically to groups of organisms of one species in a habitat. Example: "Der Klimawandel bedroht viele Amphibienpopulationen." (Climate change threatens many amphibian populations.)
• In Statistics and Research: Denotes the entire set from which samples are drawn (the target group). Example: "Die Zielpopulation für diese Studie sind alle Erwachsenen über 18 Jahre." (The target population for this study is all adults over 18.)

Difference from "Bevölkerung": While "Bevölkerung" almost exclusively refers to humans, "Population" can also mean animals, plants, or even statistical elements. "Population" often sounds more scientific or formal.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Population"

• Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in "-ion" are feminine (die Nation, die Station, die Aktion). Think: The station has a large population, and both need the article "die".
• Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a large group (a Population) gathering – perhaps for a demonstration or a celebration (all feminine nouns ending in -ion!). Or simply connect it to the English word "population", which has similar uses.

"The entire nation forms a population – both are 'die' in German."

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Population

⚠️ Caution: Although "Bevölkerung" often works for people, "Population" is more precise in biological or statistical contexts and often not interchangeable.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Statistiker seinen Kollegen: "Glaubst du an die Liebe auf den ersten Blick, oder soll ich noch einmal mit der Zählmaschine an dir vorbeigehen?"

(Translation: The statistician asks his colleague: "Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk past you again with the counting machine?")

(Okay, it's more about statistics, but counting is part of measuring populations! 😉)

📜 Poem about the Population

Die Population, bunt und groß,
Mal wächst sie schnell, mal ruht im Schoß.
Von Stadt zu Land, von Meer zu Tal,
Zählt man die Menschen, überall.

In Wäldern dicht, als Tierbestand,
Verbunden durch ein unsichtbar Band.
Als Zahl in Forschung, klar und rein,
So kann "die Population" sein.

---

(Translation):

The population, colorful and large,
Sometimes it grows fast, sometimes rests in the lap (of nature/time).
From city to country, from sea to vale,
One counts the people, everywhere.

In forests dense, as animal stock,
Connected by an invisible bond.
As a number in research, clear and pure,
Thus can "the population" be.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin eine Gruppe, groß oder klein,
Kann Mensch, Tier oder Datenpunkt sein.
Statistiker zählen mich gern,
Biologen studieren mich fern.
In Städten findet man mich dicht,
Mein Name endet weiblich, schlicht.

Wer oder was bin ich? (... Die Population)

---

(Translation):

I am a group, large or small,
Can be human, animal, or data point for all.
Statisticians like to count me,
Biologists study me from afar, you see.
In cities, you find me densely packed,
My name ends femininely, as a fact.

Who or what am I? (... The Population)

➕ Additional Info

• Word Origin: The word "Population" comes from the Late Latin "populatio", which originally meant "devastation", "plundering", but later also "population" in the sense of "the people" (from Latin "populus" = people/nation).
• Technical Term: "Population" is a key technical term with precise definitions, especially in scientific disciplines like demography, ecology, genetics, and statistics.