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.
addiction
A strong, uncontrollable craving for a particular substance (e.g., drugs, alcohol) or behavior; an addiction.
Er hat seine Abhängigkeit von Schmerzmitteln in einer Therapie überwunden.
He overcame his addiction to painkillers in therapy.
relationship
In science and statistics, this describes the relationship in which a change in one variable causes a change in another variable.
Die Studie zeigt eine klare Abhängigkeit zwischen der Schlafdauer und der Konzentrationsfähigkeit.
The study shows a clear relationship between sleep duration and ability to concentrate.
'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
Zusammenhang generally refers to a relationship between two quantities. Abhängigkeit is more specific in statistical usage and suggests that a change in one quantity is connected to a change in the other. Use Zusammenhang for the general observation and Abhängigkeit for this technical statement.
Die Studie untersucht die Abhängigkeit der Konzentration von der Schlafdauer.
The study examines the dependence of concentration on sleep duration.
Die Studie zeigt einen Zusammenhang zwischen Schlafdauer und Konzentration.
The study shows a connection between sleep duration and concentration.
