die  Variation

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/vaʁiaˈt͡si̯oːn/

🧐 What exactly is a Variation?

Die Variation (noun, feminine) refers to a modification, deviation, or change from something existing, a norm, or a basic pattern. It can occur in many different contexts:

• 🎶 Music: A change to a musical theme (die Melodie, die Harmonie, der Rhythmus). Well-known are "Variationen über ein Thema" (Variations on a Theme).
• 🧬 Biology: Differences between individuals of a species (genetische Variation - genetic variation) or deviations from the norm.
• 📈 Statistics/Mathematics: The measure of dispersion or variability of data values (die Streuung).
• ✨ General: Any form of diversification or modification. For example, variations in a product range or daily routine.

It is a word often used in scientific, artistic, or technical contexts.

📊 Grammar & Declension of Variation

The word "Variation" is a feminine noun. The article is die. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Der Komponist schrieb beeindruckende Variationen über ein altes Volkslied.
   (The composer wrote impressive variations on an old folk song.)
2. Die genetische Variation innerhalb der Population ist hoch.
   (The genetic variation within the population is high.)
3. Wir bieten dieses Produkt in mehreren Variationen an.
   (We offer this product in several variations.)
4. Eine leichte Variation im Rezept kann den Geschmack stark verändern.
   (A slight variation in the recipe can significantly change the taste.)

💡 How to use "Variation"?

"Variation" is used to describe a deviation or change from a standard or theme. The context determines the exact nuance:

• In a musical context: When speaking of musikalische Variationen, it refers to pieces based on the creative modification of a theme.
• In a biological/genetic context: Here, genetische Variation refers to the diversity of gene variants in a population, crucial for evolution.
• In a technical or product-related context: Product Variationen are different versions of the same basic product (e.g., color, size).
• Difference from "Variante": A Variante (variant) is often a specific version or form, whereas Variation tends to emphasize the process or principle of modification or the sum of differences. Example: "Es gibt viele Varianten (specific versions) dieses Autos, die Variation (the principle/range of differences) ist groß."
• Difference from "Veränderung": Veränderung (change) is a more general term for any alteration, while Variation often implies a modification within a specific framework or from a specific starting point.

🧠 Mnemonics for Variation

Article Mnemonic (die): Many German nouns ending in "-ion" are feminine (die Aktion, die Situation, die Position...). Also, think of die Melodie (melody), whose modification is a musical Variation.

Meaning Mnemonic: "Variation" sounds very similar to the English word "variation" and the verb "vary". Imagine things that vary – they show Variationen.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Variante (die): A specific version or form (e.g., a virus variant, a product variant). Variation can describe the existence of multiple variants.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum lieben Statistiker Variationen so sehr?
Weil das Leben ohne Abweichungen einfach zu normal wäre!

(Why do statisticians love variations so much?
Because life without deviations would just be too normal!)

✍️ Poem about Variation

Ein Thema klingt, so klar und rein,
doch bald schon mischt sich Neues ein.
Die Melodie, sie tanzt und springt,
als Variation sie freudig klingt.

Im Leben, in der Welt so weit,
herrscht bunte Mannigfaltigkeit.
Kein Tag dem andern völlig gleicht,
die Variation das Dasein reicht.

(A theme sounds, so clear and pure,
but soon new things begin to lure.
The melody, it dances, springs,
as variation joyfully sings.

In life, in the world so wide,
colorful diversity does reside.
No day is exactly like another,
variation enriches our existence together.)

❓ Riddle

Ich bin die Schwester der Veränderung,
in Musik bring' ich oft Neuerung.
In der Natur sorg' ich für bunte Pracht,
in Daten zeig' ich meine Macht.
Mal klein, mal groß, doch nie ganz gleich,
was bin ich, sag es mir sogleich!

(I am the sister of change,
In music, I often rearrange.
In nature, I provide colorful splendor,
In data, my power I render.
Sometimes small, sometimes big, but never the same,
What am I? Tell me my name!)

Solution: die Variation

💡 Other Information

Etymology: The word "Variation" comes from the Latin variatio, meaning "change", "variety". It is related to the verb variare ("to change", "to vary", "to be different").

Related Words:

• variieren (verb: to vary)
• variabel (adjective: variable)
• Variante (noun: variant)
• Varianz (noun: variance - statistics)