autonomous
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autonomous
Independent, self-reliant, and acting according to one's own laws or governing oneself. The term can refer to political territories, people, or technical systems.
Die Region fordert, als autonome Provinz anerkannt zu werden.
The region is demanding to be recognized as an autonomous province.
autonomous
In technology, the ability of a system or machine to carry out tasks without human intervention.
Die Entwicklung des autonomen Fahrens macht große Fortschritte.
The development of autonomous driving is making great progress.
'Autonom' (autonomous) is the adjective corresponding to the noun 'die Autonomie' (autonomy). Both words describe the state of independence or self-government.
Die Universität ist autonom und kann ihre eigenen Regeln festlegen.
The university is autonomous and can set its own rules.
The word comes from Greek: 'auto-' means 'self' and 'nomos' means 'law.' So 'autonom' (autonomous) literally means 'living according to one's own law.'
Einige Künstler leben bewusst ein sehr autonomes Leben.
Some artists deliberately live a very autonomous life.
The context makes the meaning clear: if people are talking about regions, politics, or individuals, independence is meant. If they are talking about cars, robots, or software, it refers to the technical ability to function without human control.
Katalonien ist eine autonome Gemeinschaft in Spanien.
Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain.
In the political or personal sense, 'autonom' (autonomous) is often combined with nouns such as 'Region' (region), 'Verwaltung' (administration), 'Entscheidung' (decision), or 'Lebensführung' (way of life).
Es war ihre eigene, autonome Entscheidung, den Job zu wechseln.
It was her own autonomous decision to change jobs.
In a technical context, typical combinations are 'autonomes Fahren' (autonomous driving), 'autonome Systeme' (autonomous systems), 'autonome Waffen' (autonomous weapons), or 'autonome Roboter' (autonomous robots).
Ein autonomes System kann selbstständig auf Fehler reagieren.
An autonomous system can respond to errors on its own.
independent
For a state or territory, both unabhängig and autonom may be appropriate. Unabhängig emphasizes that no foreign power exercises control; autonom highlights the freedom to make its own decisions and act according to its own rules. Use autonom when self-government or making its own decisions is especially important.
Das Gebiet ist autonom und entscheidet nach eigenen Regeln über seine Verwaltung.
The territory is autonomous and decides how to administer itself according to its own rules.
Das Gebiet ist unabhängig von der Kontrolle durch den Nachbarstaat.
The territory is independent of the neighboring state’s control.
