calculation / calculus
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calculation
A calculating consideration or plan, often based on strategic, cold, or self-serving motives.
Seine freundliche Geste war reines Kalkül, um sich einen Vorteil zu verschaffen.
His friendly gesture was pure calculation in order to gain an advantage.
calculus
In mathematics and logic, a formal system of rules and symbols used for calculation or logical reasoning.
Der Prädikatenkalkül ist eine Erweiterung des Aussagenkalküls.
Predicate calculus is an extension of propositional calculus.
calculus
An outdated or very technical medical term for a stone that forms in an organ, such as a kidney stone or gallstone (concretion).
Die Untersuchung ergab ein kleines Kalkül im Gallengang des Patienten.
The examination revealed a small calculus in the patient's bile duct.
The word comes from the Latin 'calculus', meaning 'small stone'. This explains the seemingly different meanings: stones were once used for counting (hence the meaning 'calculation'), and in medicine the word refers to stone formation in the body.
Seine Entscheidung war kein Zufall, sondern kühles Kalkül.
His decision was no accident, but cold calculation.
The meaning 'calculating consideration' is the most common in everyday language. The meanings from mathematics/logic and medicine are technical language and occur only in the corresponding specialist texts.
Ihre Freundlichkeit war nur Kalkül, um an die Informationen zu kommen.
Her friendliness was only calculation in order to get the information.
A very common and important expression is 'etwas ins Kalkül ziehen' (to take something into account). It means to consider something in one's deliberations or to factor it in.
Bei der Planung der Reise müssen wir die hohen Benzinkosten ins Kalkül ziehen.
When planning the trip, we have to take the high fuel costs into account.
In the meaning 'calculating consideration', 'Kalkül' (calculation) is often combined with adjectives that emphasize a cold, strategic intention. Typical examples are 'reines Kalkül' (pure calculation), 'kühles Kalkül' (cold calculation), or 'politisches Kalkül' (political calculation).
Es war reines Kalkül, den Konkurrenten kurz vor der Wahl zu kritisieren.
It was pure calculation to criticize the competitor shortly before the election.
calculation
„Berechnung“ and „Kalkül“ can both describe a cold, self-serving consideration as a motive. „Berechnung“ emphasizes the lack of genuine feelings or the personal advantage more strongly, while „Kalkül“ focuses more on the strategic weighing of a plan. „Berechnung“ is suitable for the impression of a heartless action, while „Kalkül“ is more suitable for the plan behind it.
Sein Kalkül war, der Nachbarin Hilfe zu versprechen, damit sie später für ihn arbeitet.
His calculation was to promise to help the neighbor so that she would work for him later.
Aus reiner Berechnung versprach er seiner Nachbarin Hilfe, obwohl er ihr nicht helfen wollte.
Purely out of self-interest, he promised to help his neighbor even though he did not intend to help her.
