die  Sequenz

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/zɛˈkvɛnts/

🎬 What does "die Sequenz" mean?

Die Sequenz (noun, feminine) refers to a sequence or series of things, events, or elements that follow one another in a specific, often logical or temporal, order.

• General: An ordered series or succession. Example: Eine Sequenz von Zahlen (a sequence of numbers).
• Film/Literature: A series of related scenes that form a distinct narrative unit. Example: Die Verfolgungsjagd war eine spannende Sequenz im Film (The car chase was an exciting sequence in the movie).
• Music: The repetition of a melody or harmony several times at different pitch levels. Example: Der Komponist verwendete eine aufsteigende Sequenz (The composer used an ascending sequence).
• Biology/Chemistry: The order of constituent parts in a macromolecule (e.g., DNA sequence, amino acid sequence). Example: Die Sequenz des Gens wurde entschlüsselt (The sequence of the gene was decoded).
• Computer Science: An ordered set of instructions or data. Example: Eine Sequenz von Befehlen im Programmcode (A sequence of commands in the program code).

The word always uses the feminine article "die".

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Sequenz" in Detail

The word "Sequenz" is a feminine noun. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences 📝

1. Die erste Sequenz des Films spielt in Paris.
   (The first sequence of the movie takes place in Paris.)
2. Der Lehrer erklärte die Sequenz der Ereignisse, die zum Krieg führten.
   (The teacher explained the sequence of events that led to the war.)
3. In der Musik wiederholte sich eine melodische Sequenz.
   (In the music, a melodic sequence repeated itself.)
4. Die Forscher analysierten die DNA-Sequenz.
   (The researchers analyzed the DNA sequence.)
5. Bitte führen Sie die Schritte in der richtigen Sequenz aus.
   (Please execute the steps in the correct sequence.)

💡 How to use "die Sequenz"?

"Die Sequenz" is used to describe an ordered succession. The context determines the precise meaning:

• In film and theater: Describes a series of scenes forming a unit (e.g., eine Action-Sequenz / an action sequence, eine Traum-Sequenz / a dream sequence).
• In music: Refers to the repetition of a musical motif at different pitches.
• In science and technology: Denotes the order of elements (e.g., Gensequenz / gene sequence, Befehlssequenz / command sequence).
• In everyday life: Can describe any kind of ordered succession (e.g., eine Sequenz von Aufgaben / a sequence of tasks, eine Sequenz von Bildern / a sequence of pictures).

It's a somewhat formal word but very common in specific contexts like film or science. Synonyms like "Abfolge" (succession) or "Reihe" (series) are often more common in everyday conversation.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Sequenz"

Article Mnemonic: Think of "die" Reihe (the row/series) or "die" Abfolge (the succession) – both are feminine, just like die Sequenz.

Meaning Mnemonic: A Sequenz follows a specific order, like a queen's (die Königin) instructions must be followed in sequence. Or imagine seeing (sehen) something quiet (quiet) in sequence (Sequenz).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Frequenz (die): Frequency (rate of occurrence). Do not confuse with Sequenz (order)!
• Konsequenz (die): Consequence, result.

😄 A little joke

Warum hat der Filmregisseur die Zahlen 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 gefilmt?
(Why did the film director film the numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9?)

Weil es eine ungerade Sequenz war!
(Because it was an odd sequence!)

📜 Poem about the Sequence

Ein Schritt folgt dem nächsten, ganz klar,
(One step follows the next, quite clear,)
eine Reihe, wunderbar.
(A series, wonderful.)
Im Film, Musik, im Lebenslauf,
(In film, music, in life's course,)
nimmt die Sequenz ihren Lauf.
(The sequence takes its course.)
Bild an Bild und Ton an Ton,
(Image by image and sound by sound,)
das ist die Ordnung, der Lohn.
(That is the order, the reward.)
Von A bis Z, in Reih und Glied,
(From A to Z, in rank and file,)
eine Sequenz, ein schönes Lied.
(A sequence, a beautiful song.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin eine Reihe, eine Kette fein,
(I am a series, a fine chain,)
im Film, im Code, kann ich sein.
(In film, in code, I can be.)
Ich folge einer Ordnung, Schritt für Schritt,
(I follow an order, step by step,)
in Musik und Genetik bin ich der Hit.
(In music and genetics, I am the hit.)

Was bin ich?
(What am I?) (Solution: die Sequenz)

🧩 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Sequenz" comes from the Late Latin word "sequentia", meaning "that which follows", "a following". It derives from the Latin verb "sequi" ("to follow").

Related Terms:

• Sequentiell / Sequenziell: Adjective meaning "sequential", "consecutive". (Example: sequentielle Verarbeitung / sequential processing)
• Sequenzierung: The process of determining a sequence (e.g., DNA-Sequenzierung / DNA sequencing).