detectable
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detectable
Such that it can be proven, verified, or established through evidence, facts, or scientific measurements.
Im Blut des Athleten waren nachweisbar Spuren von Dopingmitteln.
Detectable traces of doping substances were found in the athlete's blood.
The word is made up of the verb 'nachweisen' (to prove/detect) and the suffix '-bar' (-able). The suffix '-bar' means that something is possible. So 'nachweisbar' (detectable/provable) literally means that something can be proven or detected.
Die Theorie ist mit den aktuellen Methoden leider nicht nachweisbar.
Unfortunately, the theory is not detectable with the current methods.
This adjective is very often used in scientific, legal, or medical contexts. It is always about whether a fact, substance, or effect can be objectively proven or detected.
Laut Gutachten ist ein direkter Zusammenhang zwischen dem Unfall und dem Schaden nachweisbar.
According to the expert report, a direct connection between the accident and the damage is detectable.
Common combinations are 'nachweisbare Spuren' (detectable traces), 'eine nachweisbare Wirkung' (a detectable effect), or 'ein nachweisbarer Unterschied' (a detectable difference). It is also often negated: 'nicht nachweisbar' (not detectable) or 'kaum nachweisbar' (barely detectable).
Das Medikament zeigte eine statistisch nachweisbare Verbesserung der Symptome.
The medication showed a statistically detectable improvement in symptoms.
positive
'positiv' and 'nachweisbar' can both mean that something has been found through a test or evidence. 'positiv' usually describes the result of a specific test: the thing being looked for is present. 'nachweisbar' describes more of a property: something can be shown with facts, measurements, or evidence. It often sounds more factual and is not limited to medical tests. The words can be confused when talking about lab values: a substance can be nachweisbar, and the test for it can be positiv.
Der Stoff ist im Blut nachweisbar, weil das Labor ihn messen kann.
The substance is detectable in the blood because the lab can measure it.
Beim Termin hat die Ärztin gesagt, dass der Test positiv war.
At the appointment, the doctor said that the test was positive.