die  Verbreitung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈbʁaɪtʊŋ/

🌍 What does 'die Verbreitung' mean?

Die Verbreitung (noun, feminine) describes the process or result of something expanding or being distributed over a larger area, space, or group. It can refer to various things:

• Geographical expansion: The Verbreitung (spread, distribution) of an animal or plant species in a specific area.
• Information flow: The Verbreitung (dissemination, spread) of news, ideas, rumors, or knowledge (e.g., via media, social networks).
• Spread of diseases: The Verbreitung (spread) of viruses or bacteria within a population.
• Distribution of products: The Verbreitung (distribution) of goods in commerce.

It is a noun derived from the verb verbreiten (to spread, to disseminate).

⚠️ Caution: Although 'Verbreitung' is often used similarly to 'Ausbreitung' (spread, expansion), 'Verbreitung' can sometimes emphasize the aspect of targeted distribution or making something known, whereas 'Ausbreitung' often describes a more natural or uncontrolled expansion.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of 'die Verbreitung': Declension Details

The word 'Verbreitung' is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die. Like most feminine nouns ending in -ung, its plural is formed with -en.

Example Sentences

1. Die schnelle Verbreitung von Informationen im Internet hat die Gesellschaft verändert.
   (The rapid spread of information on the internet has changed society.)
2. Wissenschaftler untersuchen die Verbreitung der neuen Vogelgrippe-Variante.
   (Scientists are studying the spread of the new bird flu variant.)
3. Die Karte zeigt die geografische Verbreitung dieser Pflanzenart.
   (The map shows the geographical distribution of this plant species.)
4. Die Firma plant die Verbreitung ihrer Produkte in neuen Märkten.
   (The company is planning the distribution of its products in new markets.)
5. Die Verbreitung von Fake News ist ein ernstes Problem.
   (The spread of fake news is a serious problem.)

💡 How to Use 'die Verbreitung' Correctly

The term 'die Verbreitung' is used in many contexts, often related to expansion, distribution, or making something known.

• Science & Research: Commonly used for the Verbreitung (spread, distribution) of species, diseases, theories, or research findings. (e.g., „Die Verbreitung des Virus wird genau überwacht.“ - The spread of the virus is closely monitored.)
• Media & Communication: In journalism and media studies, it refers to the Verbreitung (dissemination, spread) of news, information, or disinformation. (e.g., „Soziale Medien beschleunigen die Verbreitung von Gerüchten.“ - Social media accelerate the spread of rumors.)
• Marketing & Business: Companies manage the Verbreitung (distribution) of their products or the Verbreitung (dissemination) of advertising messages. (e.g., „Die Logistikabteilung optimiert die Verbreitung der Waren.“ - The logistics department optimizes the distribution of goods.)
• Everyday Language: Can also refer to the Verbreitung (spread) of an idea, a fashion, or a custom. (e.g., „Die Verbreitung von Yoga-Kursen nimmt zu.“ - The spread of yoga classes is increasing.)

Comparison:

• Verbreitung vs. Ausbreitung: 'Ausbreitung' often describes a more natural, less controlled process (e.g., Ausbreitung of a fire), while 'Verbreitung' can also include a deliberate action (e.g., Verbreitung of a message). However, the distinction can be blurry.
• Verbreitung vs. Verteilung: 'Verteilung' (distribution) often emphasizes dividing an existing quantity among various recipients (e.g., Verteilung of aid supplies), whereas 'Verbreitung' tends to mean expansion into a space or group.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Verbreitung'

Article Mnemonic: Most nouns ending in -ung are feminine in German. Remember: The ending (-ung) signals a feminine noun -> die Verbreitung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the German word 'breit' (wide), which is part of Verbreitung. Imagine something becoming *wide*, spreading out, distributing itself. The action (-ung) of making something *wide* is the Verbreitung (spread).

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for 'die Verbreitung'

Similar words that might be misleading:

• Werbung: advertising (often aims for Verbreitung, but is the act of promoting).
• Übertragung: transmission, transfer (can be part of Verbreitung, e.g., disease transmission, but focuses on the act of passing from A to B).

😄 A Little Joke about Spreading

Warum hat das Gerücht eine Weltreise gemacht?
(Why did the rumor travel the world?)

Weil es eine sehr schnelle Verbreitung genossen hat!
(Because it enjoyed very rapid spread/distribution!)

✍️ A Poem about Spreading

Ein Funke Wissen, klein und fein,
(A spark of knowledge, small and fine,)
sucht seinen Weg, will nicht allein.
(seeks its way, won't be alone.)
Durch Wort und Schrift, durch Bild und Ton,
(Through word and script, through image and sound,)
erfährt die Welt die Verbreitung schon.
(the world already experiences the spread.)

Von Mensch zu Mensch, von Land zu Land,
(From person to person, from land to land,)
reicht eine unsichtbare Hand.
(reaches an invisible hand.)
Sie teilt die Nachricht, schnell und weit,
(It shares the message, fast and wide,)
für eine neue, klügre Zeit.
(for a new, wiser time.)

❓ Riddle: What am I?

Ich kann Ideen tragen, weit und breit,
(I can carry ideas, far and wide,)
bin manchmal langsam, manchmal schnell bereit.
(am sometimes slow, sometimes ready fast.)
Ich helfe Krankheiten, sich zu entfalten,
(I help diseases to unfold,)
und lasse Nachrichten durch die Welt schalten.
(and let news travel through the world.)
Mal bin ich gut, mal bin ich schlecht,
(Sometimes I am good, sometimes bad,)
mal digital, mal ganz direkt.
(sometimes digital, sometimes quite direct.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?

Lösung / Answer: die Verbreitung (the spread/distribution/dissemination)

🧩 Word Details: Origin and Structure

The word 'Verbreitung' is a compound noun:

• ver-: A prefix that often indicates a process, change, or completion (similar to prefixes in verändern - to change, verkaufen - to sell).
• breit: The adjective 'breit' (wide). It forms the word stem and provides the core idea of expansion.
• -ung: A suffix that turns verbs into feminine nouns, denoting an action, process, or its result (as in Hoffnung - hope, Lösung - solution, Meinung - opinion).

So, the combined meaning is essentially: The process or result of 'making wide' or 'expanding'.

Trivia: The concept of 'Verbreitung' is central to many scientific disciplines, from epidemiology (Verbreitung von Krankheiten - spread of diseases) and ecology (Verbreitung von Arten - distribution of species) to communication studies (Verbreitung von Medieninhalten - dissemination of media content).