dependence / addiction
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dependence
The state of being reliant on the help, support, or existence of someone or something.
Die wirtschaftliche Abhängigkeit des Landes von Ölexporten ist ein großes Risiko.
The country's economic dependence on oil exports is a major risk.
'Abhängigkeit' (dependence/addiction) comes from the verb 'abhängen von' (to depend on). The literal idea is that something 'hangs on something else.' The adjective 'abhängig' (dependent) is derived from the verb, and the noun is formed from it with the ending '-keit'.
Ob wir morgen wandern gehen, hängt vom Wetter ab.
Whether we go hiking tomorrow depends on the weather.
The noun 'Abhängigkeit' (dependence/addiction) is almost always used with the preposition 'von' and the dative to say what someone or something is dependent on.
Die Abhängigkeit von fossilen Brennstoffen muss reduziert werden.
Dependence on fossil fuels must be reduced.
In a social or economic context, 'Abhängigkeit' (dependence) is often combined with adjectives like 'wirtschaftlich' (economic), 'finanziell' (financial), or 'emotional' (emotional).
Durch den neuen Job erreichte sie ihre finanzielle Abhängigkeit nicht, sondern Unabhängigkeit.
Through the new job, she did not achieve financial dependence, but independence.
This meaning is a synonym for 'Sucht' (addiction) and is used in medical or psychological contexts. You can recognize it from combinations with substances such as 'Drogen' (drugs), 'Alkohol' (alcohol), or 'Medikamenten' (medications).
Er befindet sich wegen seiner Abhängigkeit von Schmerzmitteln in Behandlung.
He is receiving treatment because of his addiction to painkillers.
This meaning is a technical term from science, mathematics, and statistics. It describes a causal relationship between variables. In this context, the preposition 'zwischen' (between) is also often used ('Abhängigkeit zwischen A und B' — relationship between A and B).
Die Studie untersucht die Abhängigkeit zwischen Einkommen und Bildungsniveau.
The study examines the relationship between income and level of education.
connection / context
'der Zusammenhang' and 'die Abhängigkeit' can both describe a relationship between things. 'Zusammenhang' is more general: two things are connected or help explain something. 'Abhängigkeit' is narrower: one thing changes or does not exist independently because another thing has an influence on it. In science or statistics, 'Abhängigkeit' can therefore be a specific kind of connection. Learners may confuse the words because both express a link. If you only mean a general connection, 'Zusammenhang' fits. If one thing is influenced by another, 'Abhängigkeit' is more precise.
In der Studie geht es um die Abhängigkeit der Kosten von der Zahl der Kunden.
The study is about how costs depend on the number of customers.
Im Gespräch wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen Stress und schlechtem Schlaf klar.
In the conversation, the connection between stress and poor sleep became clear.