structure / fabric
Loading your saved state.
structure / fabric
The inner structure, organization, or composition of something. It describes how the individual parts of a whole are connected with one another and work together, often in a social or abstract sense.
Die neuen Regelungen haben das soziale Gefüge der Gemeinschaft verändert.
The new regulations changed the social fabric of the community.
'Gefüge' (structure/fabric) is derived from the verb 'fügen' (to fit or join something together). The prefix 'Ge-' forms a noun here that describes the result or the totality of an action — in other words, 'what has been joined together'.
Die einzelnen Teile müssen sich zu einem stabilen Gefüge verbinden.
The individual parts must combine to form a stable structure.
The word is very often used with a genitive or a 'von' construction to specify whose or what structure is meant. For example: 'das Gefüge der Gesellschaft' (the structure/fabric of society) or 'das Gefüge von einem Kristall' (the structure of a crystal).
Die Krise hat das wirtschaftliche Gefüge des Landes erschüttert.
The crisis shook the country's economic structure.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If the topic is social, political, or family matters, the abstract structure is meant. In texts about geology, technology, or biology, the material structure is meant.
Das Machtgefüge in der Partei hat sich verschoben.
The power structure within the party has shifted.
In the abstract sense, 'Gefüge' (structure/fabric) is often combined with certain adjectives. Common combinations are 'soziales Gefüge' (social fabric), 'politisches Gefüge' (political structure), or 'Machtgefüge' (power structure).
Einwanderung kann das soziale Gefüge einer Stadt verändern.
Immigration can change the social fabric of a city.
system
'das System' and 'das Gefüge' both describe a whole made up of several parts. 'System' emphasizes more strongly that the parts function together and have a particular task or order. 'Gefüge' emphasizes more the inner structure and the relationships between the parts. It often sounds somewhat more abstract and fits well in social or societal contexts. When the focus is on function and organization, 'System' is more natural. When the focus is on the inner structure of a whole, 'Gefüge' is more precise.
Nach dem Umzug hat sich das soziale Gefüge in der Nachbarschaft stark verändert.
After the move, the social fabric of the neighborhood changed significantly.
Für die Prüfung erklärt die Lehrerin das politische System mit einfachen Beispielen.
For the exam, the teacher explains the political system with simple examples.