perversion
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perversion
The distortion or falsification of a thing, idea, or principle into something negative or its opposite.
Die Verurteilung eines Unschuldigen ist eine Perversion der Gerechtigkeit.
The conviction of an innocent person is a perversion of justice.
perversion
A sexual inclination or act that is regarded by social or medical norms as strongly deviant or unnatural.
In der modernen Psychologie wird der wertende Begriff der Perversion heute seltener und durch den Begriff Paraphilie ersetzt.
In modern psychology, the judgmental term perversion is used less often today and is replaced by the term paraphilia.
'Perversion' (perversion) belongs to the word family of the adjective 'pervers' (perverse). Both words come from the Latin verb 'pervertere', which means 'to turn around' or 'to corrupt'. They describe a distortion into something negative.
Er nannte die Entscheidung eine Perversion des ursprünglichen Plans.
He called the decision a perversion of the original plan.
In the meaning 'Verdrehung' (distortion), 'Perversion' (perversion) is very often used with a genitive that indicates what is being distorted. The structure is therefore: 'eine Perversion + [Substantiv im Genitiv]' (a perversion of + [noun]).
Die Ausnutzung von Hilfsbereitschaft ist eine Perversion der Nächstenliebe.
The exploitation of helpfulness is a perversion of charity.
In a sexual context, the term 'Perversion' (perversion) is often considered outdated and judgmental today. In modern psychology and sexology, more neutral terms are preferred.
Das Buch aus dem 19. Jahrhundert beschreibt verschiedene angebliche Perversionen.
The book from the 19th century describes various supposed perversions.
You can tell from the context whether the abstract or the sexual meaning is intended. If it is about ideas, principles, or values (e.g., justice, truth), the abstract meaning is meant. If it is about sexual behavior, the other meaning is meant.
Die Zerstörung von Kunst als politisches Statement ist eine Perversion des kreativen Ausdrucks.
The destruction of art as a political statement is a perversion of creative expression.
distortion
Both words can refer to a twisting or falsification of an idea or principle. “Die Verzerrung” remains general and can also mean a one-sided representation, while “die Perversion” expresses a much stronger shift in a negative direction or into the opposite. Use “Verzerrung” for a merely false representation and “Perversion” for a morally negative reversal.
Die Darstellung war eine Perversion des ursprünglichen Prinzips.
The representation was a perversion of the original principle.
Der Bericht enthielt eine Verzerrung der ursprünglichen Idee.
The report contained a distortion of the original idea.
