deviation
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deviation
A difference or discrepancy from a norm, an expected value, a plan, or a rule.
Die tatsächlichen Kosten zeigten eine erhebliche Abweichung vom ursprünglichen Budget.
The actual costs showed a significant deviation from the original budget.
'Die Abweichung' (the deviation) is the noun form of the verb 'abweichen' (to deviate). When something deviates from what is normal or planned, the result or difference is called an 'Abweichung' (deviation).
Die tatsächlichen Ergebnisse weichen stark von der Prognose ab.
The actual results deviate strongly from the forecast.
The noun 'Abweichung' (deviation) is almost always used with the preposition 'von' (from) and the dative. This construction indicates what something deviates from.
Jede Abweichung von den Regeln wird bestraft.
Any deviation from the rules will be punished.
To describe the extent of the deviation, adjectives such as 'gering' (minor), 'leicht' (slight), 'erheblich' (significant), or 'deutlich' (clear) are often used.
Die geringe Abweichung vom Budget ist kein Problem.
The minor deviation from the budget is not a problem.
You can recognize the statistical meaning from the context. If 'Mittelwert' (mean), 'Daten' (data), or 'Messung' (measurement) is mentioned, the numerical deviation is usually meant. A clear signal word is 'Standardabweichung' (standard deviation).
Der Lehrer erklärte uns die Berechnung der Standardabweichung.
The teacher explained the calculation of the standard deviation to us.
mistake / error
'der Fehler' and 'die Abweichung' can both show that something is not as expected. However, 'der Fehler' means that something is wrong or does not work. 'die Abweichung' first of all just means that something deviates from a norm, a plan, or a value. That does not always have to be bad. In reports, measurements, or plans, 'Abweichung' often sounds more objective. Learners confuse the words when they see every difference as a mistake. A deviation can be an error, but it does not have to be.
Beim Training ist eine kleine Abweichung vom Plan kein Problem.
In training, a small deviation from the plan is not a problem.
Wir haben den Fehler in der Rechnung erst am nächsten Tag bemerkt.
We only noticed the mistake in the calculation the next day.