descent / ancestry
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ancestry
A person's origin from a particular family, people, or social group. It refers to ancestors and the genetic or cultural line.
Er ist deutscher Abstammung, aber in den USA aufgewachsen.
He is of German ancestry, but grew up in the United States.
descent
In biology, the evolutionary origin of a species from earlier life forms.
Darwin formulierte die Theorie der Abstammung der Arten durch natürliche Zuchtwahl.
Darwin formulated the theory of the descent of species through natural selection.
The noun 'Abstammung' (descent/ancestry) comes from the verb 'abstammen' (to descend from). This verb contains 'Stamm' (stem/trunk), which points to a root or origin. It literally means to 'come down' from a particular origin.
Diese Tradition stammt aus dem Mittelalter ab.
This tradition comes from the Middle Ages.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about families, nationalities, or social classes, it refers to people's origin. In texts about biology or evolution, it refers to the origin of species.
Er ist polnischer Abstammung.
He is of Polish ancestry.
A very common construction is 'von [adjektivischer] Abstammung sein' (to be of [adjectival] descent/ancestry). The adjective describes the type of origin.
Sie ist von einfacher Abstammung, hat aber viel erreicht.
She is of humble origins, but has achieved a lot.
The biological meaning of 'Abstammung' (descent) is used mainly in scientific and technical language, for example in the fields of biology, paleontology, and anthropology.
Die Abstammungslehre war eine revolutionäre Idee.
The theory of descent was a revolutionary idea.
blood
Blut and Abstammung can both refer to a person's family line. Blut is a figurative, often emotionally charged expression; Abstammung explicitly and neutrally refers to family origin. Choose Abstammung for precise factual statements and Blut for a stronger figurative effect.
Seine französische Abstammung verbindet ihn mit der Familie seiner Mutter.
His French ancestry connects him to his mother's family.
Sein französisches Blut verbindet ihn mit der Familie seiner Mutter.
His French blood connects him to his mother's family.
