die  Spezies

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃpɛtsi̯əs/

🧬 What does 'die Spezies' mean?

The German word die Spezies (feminine) almost exclusively refers to a biological species. It's the fundamental unit of biological systematics and taxonomy.

A Spezies comprises a group of living organisms that share essential characteristics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

It's a technical term from biology, though occasionally used more generally for 'kind' or 'sort', but this is less common. The word comes directly from the Latin species.

Since it only uses the article 'die', there's no confusion regarding different meanings associated with different articles.

🧐 Grammar Check: How to decline 'Spezies'?

The noun 'die Spezies' is feminine. It belongs to the nouns whose form is identical in singular and plural (in Nominative and Accusative cases). It often follows the declension pattern of Latin loanwords.

Example Sentences

• Der Biologe entdeckte eine neue Spezies von Schmetterlingen.
  (The biologist discovered a new species of butterflies.)
• Diese Spezies ist vom Aussterben bedroht.
  (This species is endangered.)
• Wir untersuchen die Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse verschiedener Spezies.
  (We are investigating the relationships between different species.)
• Die Definition der Spezies ist in der Biologie oft umstritten.
  (The definition of the species is often debated in biology.)
• Manche Viren können nur eine bestimmte Spezies befallen.
  (Some viruses can only infect a specific species.)

🗣️ Context is King: When to use 'Spezies'?

Die Spezies is primarily a technical term in biology used to classify a particular type of living organism.

• Scientific Context: In scientific texts, discussions about evolution, biodiversity, ecology, and taxonomy, 'Spezies' is the standard term. Example: "Die Systematik ordnet Lebewesen in Gattungen, Familien und Spezies." (Systematics classifies living beings into genera, families, and species.)
• Distinction from 'Art': In general conversation, 'Art' (kind, type, species) is often used synonymously. However, 'Spezies' sounds more precise and scientific. While you can say "Welche Art von Vogel ist das?" (What kind of bird is that?), you would less commonly ask "Welche Spezies von Vogel ist das?" unless in a specifically biological conversation.
• Figurative Use (rare): Sometimes it's used slightly ironically or figuratively for a certain 'sort' of person or thing, but this is rather unusual. Example: "Politiker dieser speziellen Spezies sind selten geworden." (Politicians of this particular species have become rare.) Here, 'Art' or 'Sorte' would be more common.

🚨 Caution: Don't confuse it with 'Spezerei' (spice), although both derive from the Latin 'species'!

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Spezies'

For the article 'die': Think of the biological classification system – it's a grand design, a complex entity. Entities and systems in German often take 'die'. So, it's die Spezies.

For the meaning: 'Spezies' sounds very similar to the English 'species'. It also sounds like 'special'. Each Spezies is a special, distinct group of organisms.

🔄 Word Field: Alternatives and Contrasts to Spezies

Similar Sounding Words

• Spezifisch: Adjective, meaning 'specific', 'particular'.
• Spezial: Adjective, meaning 'special', 'extraordinary'.
• Spezerei: Noun (die), meaning 'spice'.

😄 A Little Joke

Treffen sich zwei Planeten. 🪐 Sagt der eine: „Du siehst aber schlecht aus!“ Sagt der andere: „Ja, ich hab Homo sapiens.“ 🦠 Beruhigt ihn der erste: „Hatte ich auch mal, keine Sorge, das geht vorbei!“

Translation:

Two planets meet. 🪐 One says: "You look terrible!" The other says: "Yeah, I've got Homo sapiens." 🦠 The first one reassures him: "I had that once too, don't worry, it'll pass!"

📜 Poetic Diversity: An Ode to the Species

Ob Feder, Fell, ob Schuppe, Haut,
Die Spezies, kunstvoll aufgebaut.
Im Wasser, Land, in Luft so rein,
Millionen Formen, groß und klein.
Jede zählt im Lebensnetz,
Einzigartig, ein wahrer Schatz.

Translation:

Whether feather, fur, or scale, or skin,
The species, artfully built within.
In water, land, in air so pure,
A million forms, large and small, endure.
Each one counts in the web of life,
Unique, a true treasure, beyond strife.

❓ Brain Teaser: Who am I?

Ich bin ein Begriff aus der Biologie,
Eine Gruppe mit gleicher Physiologie.
Wir können uns paaren, das ist der Clou,
Und fruchtbar sind die Kinder dazu.
Charles Darwin hat viel über mich nachgedacht,
Mich zu definieren, ist oft schwer gemacht.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:

I am a term from biology,
A group with the same physiology.
We can mate, that's the main clue,
And fertile are the children too.
Charles Darwin thought much about me,
Defining me is often tricky, you see.

Who am I? Solution: die Spezies (the species)

💡 Trivia and Etymology

• Etymology: The German word 'Spezies' comes directly from the Latin word 'species', which originally meant 'sight', 'appearance', 'form', but also 'kind' or 'type'.
• Philosophy: In philosophy, especially Scholasticism, there is the term 'species intelligibilis' (the intelligible form/species), referring to the way the intellect grasps an object. This has little connection to the modern biological meaning.
• The 'Species Problem': In biology, there is no single, universally accepted definition of the term 'species'. Different species concepts (e.g., biological, morphological, phylogenetic) are used depending on the group of organisms (e.g., bacteria, animals, plants) and research focus.