separation / partition
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separation
The process in which something is detached, removed, or separated from a larger whole.
Die Abtrennung des alten Gebäudeteils erfolgte im Rahmen der Sanierung.
The separation of the old part of the building took place as part of the renovation.
'Abtrennung' (separation / partition) is the noun formed from the separable verb 'abtrennen' (to separate / detach). The prefix 'ab-' emphasizes separation, and the ending '-ung' describes the process or result of this action.
Man kann den Gutschein an der markierten Linie vom Rest des Blattes abtrennen.
You can detach the voucher from the rest of the sheet along the marked line.
To express what something is separated from, German almost always uses the preposition 'von' (from) followed by the dative. The structure is often: die Abtrennung [genitive] von [dative].
Die Abtrennung der Garage vom Haupthaus ist für nächstes Jahr geplant.
The separation of the garage from the main house is planned for next year.
When 'Abtrennung' (partition) refers to a physical barrier, you often find information about the material or position in the sentence. Typical examples are 'eine Abtrennung aus Glas' (a glass partition) or 'eine Abtrennung zwischen Küche und Wohnzimmer' (a partition between the kitchen and living room).
Ein einfacher Vorhang dient als Abtrennung zum Schlafbereich.
A simple curtain serves as a partition for the sleeping area.
In the meaning of 'Amputation' (amputation), 'Abtrennung' is a medical term. The context is usually an accident, an illness, or a surgical procedure.
Die Ärzte kämpften darum, eine Abtrennung des Fingers zu vermeiden.
The doctors fought to avoid an amputation of the finger.
When it refers to the separation of a territory from a state, 'Abtrennung' (secession) is a political term. Signal words here include 'Region' (region), 'Staat' (state), 'Unabhängigkeit' (independence), or 'Referendum' (referendum).
Die Debatte über die Abtrennung der Provinz führte zu politischen Spannungen.
The debate over the secession of the province led to political tensions.
distance / removal
'die Entfernung' and 'die Abtrennung' can both describe that something comes away from something else. 'die Entfernung' emphasizes that something is taken away or removed. Afterward, it is usually not supposed to be there anymore. 'die Abtrennung' emphasizes that a part is separated from a larger whole. The part may still exist afterward, but it is no longer connected. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases something is detached. If the act of taking something away is important, 'Entfernung' fits. If the separation of one part is important, 'Abtrennung' fits.
Die Abtrennung des kleinen Raums macht das Büro ruhiger.
Separating off the small room makes the office quieter.
Die Entfernung der kaputten Fliesen kostet extra.
The removal of the broken tiles costs extra.