die Entdeckung
discovery
The act of finding something that was previously unknown, hidden, or unnoticed.
EXAMPLE
Die Entdeckung der Röntgenstrahlen revolutionierte die Medizin.
The discovery of X-rays revolutionized medicine.
die Entdeckung
discovery
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
die Entdeckung
discovery
The person or thing that has been newly found or recognized as especially talented.
EXAMPLE
Dieses neue Medikament ist eine bahnbrechende Entdeckung im Kampf gegen die Krankheit.
This new medication is a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against the disease.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Entdeckung' (discovery) is derived from the verb 'entdecken' (to discover). This consists of the prefix 'ent-' (away, removing) and 'decken' (to cover). So 'entdecken' literally means to remove a cover and make something hidden visible.
EXAMPLE
Archäologen hoffen, bei den Grabungen die Ruinen einer alten Stadt zu entdecken.
Archaeologists hope to discover the ruins of an ancient city during the excavations.
Context clue
The meaning 'act of finding' is often expressed through the fixed phrase 'eine Entdeckung machen' (to make a discovery). The meaning 'the thing found', on the other hand, is often described with an adjective, such as 'eine wichtige Entdeckung' (an important discovery).
EXAMPLE
Der Forscher hat eine wichtige Entdeckung gemacht.
The researcher made an important discovery.
Typical collocation
To describe the act of finding, the fixed collocation 'eine Entdeckung machen' (to make a discovery) is used very frequently. This is often more natural than other formulations.
EXAMPLE
Mit ihrem neuen Teleskop machte die Astronomin eine überraschende Entdeckung.
With her new telescope, the astronomer made a surprising discovery.
Typical adjectives
When 'Entdeckung' (discovery) refers to the thing or person found, it is often described with evaluative adjectives. Typical examples are 'eine bahnbrechende' (a groundbreaking), 'zufällige' (accidental), 'wichtige' (important), or 'sensationelle' (sensational) discovery.
EXAMPLE
Penicillin war eine zufällige Entdeckung mit enormer Wirkung.
Penicillin was an accidental discovery with an enormous impact.
Compare with
Entdeckung vs Erkenntnis
insight / finding
Both words can refer to a new scientific result. Entdeckung refers to finding something previously unknown. Erkenntnis means the insight or understanding that arises from investigating and evaluating what has been found.
Entdeckung
Bei den Experimenten machten die Forschenden die Entdeckung eines bisher unbekannten Stoffes.
During the experiments, the researchers discovered a previously unknown substance.
Erkenntnis
Aus den Experimenten gewannen die Forschenden die Erkenntnis, dass der Stoff bei Wärme zerfällt.
From the experiments, the researchers gained the insight that the substance breaks down when heated.
In real life
Loading video examples...