food chain
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food chain
In biology, a linear representation of feeding relationships in an ecosystem, showing which living organism is eaten by which other organism.
An der Spitze der maritimen Nahrungskette steht oft der Orca.
The orca is often at the top of the marine food chain.
The word is a clear compound of 'die Nahrung' (food/nourishment) and 'die Kette' (chain). The linking -s in 'Nahrungs-' connects the two parts. So it literally describes a chain of living organisms that serve as food for one another.
Jedes Lebewesen ist ein Glied in einer Nahrungskette.
Every living organism is a link in a food chain.
To describe a position in the hierarchy, the phrases 'an der Spitze' (at the top), 'am Ende' (at the end/bottom), or 'in der Mitte' (in the middle) are often used. This applies to both the biological and the figurative meaning.
Kleine Fische stehen relativ weit unten in der Nahrungskette.
Small fish are relatively far down in the food chain.
You can tell from the context whether the biological or figurative meaning is intended. Terms like 'Tiere' (animals), 'Pflanzen' (plants), or 'Ökosystem' (ecosystem) point to biology. Words like 'Wirtschaft' (economy), 'Unternehmen' (company), or 'sozial' (social) indicate the figurative, hierarchical meaning.
Innerhalb des Unternehmens kämpft jeder um seinen Platz in der Nahrungskette.
Within the company, everyone fights for their place in the food chain.
hierarchy
'die Hierarchie' and 'die Nahrungskette' can both describe an order with higher and lower positions. 'Hierarchie' is the normal word for a ranking system, for example in a company, in a group, or with priorities. 'Nahrungskette' actually comes from biology and shows which living organism is eaten by which other organism. Figuratively, 'Nahrungskette' can also be used for power relationships, but then it sounds stronger and often more critical: those at the top benefit from those who are weaker. Learners may confuse the words when talking generally about a ranking system. For neutral structures, 'Hierarchie' fits; for biological contexts or a figurative, harsh power structure, 'Nahrungskette' fits.
Im Unterricht erklärt Erik, warum der Fuchs in dieser Nahrungskette über der Maus steht.
In class, Erik explains why the fox is above the mouse in this food chain.
In der neuen Firma muss David die Hierarchie erst kennenlernen.
At the new company, David first has to get to know the hierarchy.