operation
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operation
A surgical procedure on or inside a patient's body, performed by doctors in order to cure an illness, treat an injury, or make a diagnosis.
Nach dem Kreuzbandriss war eine Operation unumgänglich.
After the torn cruciate ligament, an operation was unavoidable.
The context makes the meaning of 'Operation' (operation) clear. In a hospital, it refers to a medical procedure. With the police or military, it means a planned action. In mathematics or computer science, it refers to a calculation process.
Die Operation am Knie verlief ohne Komplikationen.
The operation on the knee went without complications.
To describe which body part a medical operation is performed on, German uses the preposition 'an' with the dative.
Er hatte eine komplizierte Operation an der Wirbelsäule.
He had a complicated operation on his spine.
In a medical context, an operation is 'durchgeführt' (performed). A patient 'unterzieht sich einer Operation' (undergoes an operation) or must 'sich einer Operation unterziehen' (undergo an operation).
Der Chefarzt führt die Operation selbst durch.
The chief physician performs the operation himself.
In a military or police context, an operation is often 'gestartet' (launched), 'geleitet' (led), or 'abgebrochen' (called off). It can also be described as 'geheim' (secret) or 'riskant' (risky).
Die Rettungsaktion war eine gut geplante Operation.
The rescue mission was a well-planned operation.
operation / effort / use
'der Einsatz' and 'die Operation' can both mean a planned action involving several people. 'Einsatz' is especially typical when the police, fire department, emergency services, or military act in a specific situation. 'Operation' usually sounds more formal and more strongly organized; it often fits larger military, police, or business actions. The words can be confused because both describe a planned action. Also important: 'Operation' very often means a surgical procedure. In this sense, it is not a synonym of 'Einsatz'.
Die Polizei plant eine Operation gegen eine große Diebesgruppe.
The police are planning an operation against a large group of thieves.
Der Einsatz der Rettungskräfte begann kurz nach dem Notruf.
The rescue operation began shortly after the emergency call.