manipulation
Loading your saved state.
manipulation
The deliberate and often dishonest influencing of people or situations in order to achieve one's own goals without those affected noticing.
Durch geschickte Manipulation der öffentlichen Meinung gewann der Politiker die Wahl.
Through skillful manipulation of public opinion, the politician won the election.
Words that end in '-ation' are often nouns derived from a verb. 'Manipulation' comes from the verb 'manipulieren' (to manipulate). This structure helps you recognize many other loanwords in German.
Er hat die Daten zu seinen Gunsten manipuliert.
He manipulated the data in his favor.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about influencing people, opinions, or elections, the negative social meaning is intended. If it is about operating devices or tools, or about medical hand movements, the neutral technical meaning is intended.
Man warf ihm die Manipulation der Zeugen vor.
He was accused of manipulating the witnesses.
In a social context, 'Manipulation' (manipulation) is often associated with negative intentions. Typical combinations are 'gezielte Manipulation' (deliberate manipulation), 'politische Manipulation' (political manipulation), or 'Manipulation der öffentlichen Meinung' (manipulation of public opinion).
Die Werbung wurde als versuchte Manipulation der Verbraucher kritisiert.
The advertising was criticized as an attempted manipulation of consumers.
In this neutral meaning, the word describes skillful handling. For example, people speak of 'Manipulation eines Geräts' (manipulation/handling of a device), 'manuelle Manipulation' (manual manipulation) by a doctor, or 'Manipulation von Daten' (manipulation of data) in IT.
Der Physiotherapeut erklärte die Manipulation am Gelenk.
The physiotherapist explained the manipulation of the joint.
application / use
'die Anwendung' and 'die Manipulation' can both describe dealing with something in a practical way. 'Anwendung' is neutral and means using a method, rule, or knowledge. In this context, 'Manipulation' more specifically means the skillful handling or operation of an object, tool, or system. However, the word can also sound negative when it refers to hidden influence. That is why you should not simply use it as a replacement for 'Anwendung'. The words can be confused especially in technical or medical texts, but 'Anwendung' is usually more neutral and broader.
Die Manipulation des kleinen Instruments erfordert eine ruhige Hand.
The manipulation of the small instrument requires a steady hand.
Für das Projekt erklärt die Lehrerin die Anwendung der neuen Methode.
For the project, the teacher explains the application of the new method.