prism
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prism
A transparent body made of glass or plastic with at least two flat, non-parallel surfaces that refracts light. In optics, it is often used to split white light into its spectral colors.
Im Physikunterricht haben wir gelernt, wie ein Prisma das Sonnenlicht in einen Regenbogen aufspaltet.
In physics class, we learned how a prism splits sunlight into a rainbow.
through the prism of ...
A metaphorical term for a particular perspective or special point of view through which a situation or topic is viewed and interpreted.
Er betrachtet die Welt nur durch das Prisma des Geldes.
He sees the world only through the prism of money.
prism
In geometry, a solid bounded by two parallel and congruent polygons (the bases) and several parallelograms (the lateral faces).
Die Schokoladenverpackung hat die Form eines dreiseitigen Prismas.
The chocolate packaging has the shape of a triangular prism.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Prisma' (prism) from the context: words like 'Licht' (light) or 'Farben' (colors) point to optics. The fixed expression 'durch das Prisma von/des' (through the prism of) signals the metaphorical meaning. Terms like 'geometrisch' (geometric) or 'Grundfläche' (base) point to mathematics.
Weißes Licht wird durch ein Prisma in seine Spektralfarben zerlegt.
White light is split into its spectral colors by a prism.
The metaphorical meaning is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'etwas durch das Prisma von/des ... sehen/betrachten' (to see/view something through the prism of ...). It is followed either by the genitive or by 'von' with the dative.
Er betrachtet die politische Lage nur durch das Prisma der Wirtschaft.
He views the political situation only through the prism of the economy.
In the optical context, 'Prisma' (prism) is often combined with verbs such as 'das Licht brechen' (to refract the light), 'zerlegen' (to break down/split), or 'aufspalten' (to split up).
Ein Prisma bricht das Licht in unterschiedlichen Winkeln.
A prism refracts light at different angles.
In geometry, the shape of the base is often named, for example 'ein dreiseitiges Prisma' (a triangular prism) or 'ein sechsseitiges Prisma' (a hexagonal prism).
Die Verpackung hat die Form eines dreiseitigen Prismas.
The packaging has the shape of a triangular prism.
lentil / lens
In a figurative description, both words can express a way of looking at a topic. “Durch die Linse von” focuses attention more on a particular aspect or analytical focus, while “durch das Prisma von” emphasizes a particular perspective or point of view. Choose between them according to the nuance you want.
Wir betrachten die Ergebnisse durch das Prisma der persönlichen Erfahrungen.
We examine the results through the prism of personal experiences.
Wir betrachten die Ergebnisse durch die Linse der täglichen Arbeitsabläufe.
We examine the results through the lens of daily work routines.
