breed / race
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breed
In biology, a group of domestic animals or cultivated plants within a species that has certain shared characteristics through breeding.
Der Deutsche Schäferhund ist eine bekannte Hunderasse.
The German shepherd is a well-known dog breed.
race
A historical and sociological category for classifying people based on external characteristics. Today, this concept is considered scientifically outdated and is viewed critically because of its connection to racism.
Die Apartheid in Südafrika basierte auf einer strikten Trennung der Menschen nach ihrer zugeschriebenen Rasse.
Apartheid in South Africa was based on a strict separation of people according to their assigned race.
Careful: when used for people, the German word 'Rasse' (race) is extremely negative and associated with racism. It is not a neutral term like the English word 'race'.
Die Verwendung des Begriffs „Rasse“ für Menschen ist in Deutschland sehr umstritten.
The use of the term 'Rasse' (race) for people is very controversial in Germany.
In normal usage, 'Rasse' (breed) refers almost exclusively to animals, especially bred domestic animals. Its use for people is limited to historical or sociologically critical contexts.
Welche Rasse ist dein Hund?
What breed is your dog?
The unproblematic meaning 'Tierrasse' (animal breed) is often used in compounds such as 'Hunderasse' (dog breed), 'Katzenrasse' (cat breed), or 'Pferderasse' (horse breed).
Labradore sind eine sehr beliebte Hunderasse.
Labradors are a very popular dog breed.
Applying the term to people is considered scientifically outdated and today is used almost only to discuss the concept of racism. You should avoid using it to describe people.
Gesetze gegen Rassendiskriminierung sind ein wichtiges Thema.
Laws against racial discrimination are an important topic.
variety / type
For groups of cultivated plants, Rasse and Sorte are similar in meaning. Rasse is biologically possible, but Sorte is the usual term for cultivated plants. Here, Rasse fits better in an explicitly biological breeding context, while Sorte is used in ordinary agricultural or everyday language.
Der biologische Fachtext ordnet die gezüchteten Pflanzen einer Rasse mit kurzen Halmen zu.
The biology textbook classifies the cultivated plants as a breed with short stalks.
Der Landwirt baut eine Sorte mit kurzen Halmen an.
The farmer grows a variety with short stalks.
