parallel
parallel / simultaneous
Happening at the same time or side by side.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Konferenzen finden parallel in unterschiedlichen Räumen statt.
The two conferences are taking place in parallel in different rooms.
parallel
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Meanings
parallel
In geometry, the property of lines or planes that are the same distance from each other at all points and never intersect.
EXAMPLE
Die Schienen eines Zuggleises verlaufen parallel zueinander.
The rails of a train track run parallel to each other.
parallel
parallel / similar
Comparable or similar in structure, development, or characteristics.
EXAMPLE
Es gibt parallele Entwicklungen in der Musik und in der Malerei dieser Epoche.
There are parallel developments in the music and painting of this era.
parallel
In computer science, the property of processes or calculations that are carried out simultaneously and independently of one another in order to increase overall performance.
EXAMPLE
Der neue Supercomputer nutzt massiv parallele Verarbeitung.
The new supercomputer uses massively parallel processing.
Usage tips
Use with 'zu'
'Parallel' is very often used in the construction 'parallel zu etwas' (parallel to something). The preposition 'zu' requires the dative here.
EXAMPLE
Parallel zur Straße verläuft ein schöner Radweg.
A beautiful bike path runs parallel to the road.
Adjective and adverb
'Parallel' can stand before a noun as an adjective or as an adverb describing a verb. The form of the word does not change.
EXAMPLE
Das sind zwei parallele Prozesse.
Those are two parallel processes.
Context clues
The context usually makes the meaning clear. Words like 'Linien' (lines) or 'Abstand' (distance) point to geometry, while 'Prozesse' (processes) or 'Berechnung' (calculation) point to computer science.
EXAMPLE
Zeichnen Sie eine Gerade parallel zur y-Achse.
Draw a straight line parallel to the y-axis.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'gleichzeitig' (simultaneously), 'parallel' is often combined with verbs such as 'stattfinden' (to take place), 'laufen' (to run), 'arbeiten' (to work), or 'existieren' (to exist).
EXAMPLE
Man kann nicht zwei Vollzeitjobs parallel machen.
You can't do two full-time jobs in parallel.
Compare with
parallel vs gleichzeitig
simultaneously / at the same time
“Gleichzeitig” and “parallel” can describe processes that take place at the same time. “Gleichzeitig” primarily refers to the shared timing, while “parallel” additionally emphasizes that the processes run alongside each other or are carried out independently. Use “gleichzeitig” for the timing and “parallel” when the processes run side by side.
parallel
Die beiden Teams bearbeiten die Aufgaben parallel und unabhängig voneinander.
The two teams work on the tasks in parallel and independently of each other.
gleichzeitig
Die beiden Teams beginnen gleichzeitig mit der Arbeit.
The two teams start work at the same time.
In real life
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