parable / parabola
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parable
A short, instructive story that illustrates a moral or religious truth through a comparison from another area of life.
Die Parabel vom barmherzigen Samariter ist eine der bekanntesten Geschichten aus der Bibel.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the best-known stories from the Bible.
parabola
In mathematics, a special geometric curve that has the shape of a symmetrical, open arc. For example, it describes the trajectory of a thrown object under the influence of gravity.
Die Flugbahn des geworfenen Balls beschreibt annähernd die Form einer Parabel.
The trajectory of the thrown ball approximately describes the shape of a parabola.
You can clearly recognize the meaning of 'Parabel' (parable / parabola) from the context. If it is about literature, religion, or a moral, it refers to the instructive story. If it is about mathematics, physics, or geometry, it refers to the mathematical curve.
Im Deutschunterricht analysierten wir eine Parabel von Kafka.
In German class, we analyzed a parable by Kafka.
In the literary sense, 'Parabel' (parable) is often used with verbs such as 'erzählen' (to tell), 'interpretieren' (to interpret), or 'deuten' (to interpret / to read). Common adjectives are 'biblisch' (biblical) or 'lehrreich' (instructive).
Der Lehrer bat uns, die Moral der Parabel zu erklären.
The teacher asked us to explain the moral of the parable.
In a mathematical context, 'Parabel' (parabola) is often combined with verbs such as 'zeichnen' (to draw) or 'berechnen' (to calculate). Typical nouns are 'Funktion' (function), 'Graph' (graph), 'Kurve' (curve), or 'Scheitelpunkt' (vertex).
Wir müssen den Graphen der Funktion als Parabel zeichnen.
We have to draw the graph of the function as a parabola.
fable
Both die Fabel (fable) and die Parabel (parable) are short, instructive stories with a moral message. A Fabel typically uses animals or personified figures. A Parabel illustrates its message through a comparison drawn from another area of life.
In der Parabel erklärt eine Geschichte aus dem Alltag eine moralische Wahrheit.
In the parable, an everyday story explains a moral truth.
In der Fabel stritten zwei Tiere und zeigten damit die Folgen von Hochmut.
In the fable, two animals argued and thereby showed the consequences of arrogance.
