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.
food chain
Figuratively, a hierarchy in a social or economic system in which the stronger or more powerful benefit from or depend on the weaker.
In der globalen Wirtschaft stehen die großen Konzerne oft an der Spitze der Nahrungskette.
In the global economy, large corporations are often at the top of the 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.
