life form / way of life
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life form
In biology, a particular type of organism or a characteristic form of living beings that is adapted to specific environmental conditions.
Wissenschaftler suchen auf anderen Planeten nach einfachen Lebensformen.
Scientists are searching for simple life forms on other planets.
The word is made up of 'Leben' (life) and 'Form' (form), connected by an 's'. So it literally means a 'Form des Lebens' (form of life).
Jede neu entdeckte Lebensform ist für die Biologie von großem Interesse.
Every newly discovered life form is of great interest to biology.
You can recognize the meaning from context. If it is about biology, planets, or organisms, the biological type is meant. If it is about society, culture, or personal choices, the way of living is meant.
Im Ozean gibt es noch viele unentdeckte Lebensformen.
There are still many undiscovered life forms in the ocean.
In a biological context, 'Lebensform' (life form) is often combined with adjectives such as 'einfach' (simple), 'komplex' (complex), 'intelligent' (intelligent), or 'außerirdisch' (extraterrestrial).
Viele glauben, dass es auf anderen Planeten intelligente Lebensformen gibt.
Many believe that there are intelligent life forms on other planets.
In a sociological context, typical combinations are 'alternative', 'moderne' (modern), 'traditionelle' (traditional), or 'bürgerliche' (middle-class/bourgeois) 'Lebensform' (way of life).
Er hat sich bewusst für eine alternative Lebensform auf dem Land entschieden.
He consciously chose an alternative way of life in the countryside.
kind / way
'die Art' and 'die Lebensform' can both describe a group or a way of living. But 'die Art' is much more general: it can mean a kind, a type, a biological species, or also the way something is done. 'die Lebensform' is more precise when talking about living beings and their form of life, or about the way people shape their lives. Learners may confuse the words because 'Lebensform' also contains the idea of an 'Art' (kind). As a practical rule: for general categories, you usually say 'Art'; for a biological or social form of life, 'Lebensform' is more precise.
Viele Menschen sehen das Leben in einer kleinen Gemeinschaft als alternative Lebensform.
Many people see life in a small community as an alternative way of life.
Diese Art von Problem kommt bei der Arbeit oft vor.
This kind of problem often comes up at work.