resistance
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resistance
The innate or acquired ability of an organism (e.g., a bacterium or plant) to withstand harmful influences such as pathogens, toxins, or medications.
Die zunehmende Resistenz von Bakterien gegen Antibiotika ist ein ernstes medizinisches Problem.
The increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a serious medical problem.
resistance
Psychological or social resistance; the refusal to submit to a change, an instruction, or an influence.
Die Mitarbeiter zeigten eine erhebliche Resistenz gegen die Einführung der neuen Software.
The employees showed considerable resistance to the introduction of the new software.
'Resistenz' (resistance) is almost always used with the preposition 'gegen' (against) followed by the accusative. This structure indicates what the resistance is directed against.
Manche Pflanzen entwickeln eine Resistenz gegen bestimmte Schädlinge.
Some plants develop resistance to certain pests.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: In a medical or biological context (e.g., with 'Bakterien' (bacteria), 'Antibiotika' (antibiotics)), it refers to biological resistance. In a social context (e.g., with 'Mitarbeiter' (employees), 'Veränderung' (change)), psychological resistance is meant.
Die Forschung untersucht die Resistenz der Viren gegen neue Medikamente.
The research examines the resistance of the viruses to new medications.
In a medical-biological context, people often say that organisms 'entwickeln' (develop) or 'aufbauen' (build up) resistance. The combination 'zunehmende Resistenz' (increasing resistance) is also very common.
Leider haben die Bakterien eine Resistenz gegen das Medikament entwickelt.
Unfortunately, the bacteria have developed resistance to the medication.
In a social or psychological context, it is often phrased that someone 'zeigt' (shows) resistance or that one 'auf Resistenz stößt' (encounters resistance).
Die Belegschaft zeigte von Anfang an Resistenz gegen die neuen Arbeitszeiten.
The workforce showed resistance to the new working hours from the very beginning.
resistance
Both words describe someone or something failing to comply with an instruction or change. Widerstand emphasizes actively pushing back, while Resistenz places more emphasis on being difficult to influence or yielding very little. Use Widerstand for open opposition and Resistenz for a more persistent reaction.
Die Resistenz der Beschäftigten gegen die neue Arbeitsweise blieb auch nach mehreren Gesprächen bestehen.
The employees’ resistance to the new way of working persisted even after several discussions.
Gegen die geplante Änderung entstand sofort großer Widerstand unter den Beschäftigten.
The planned change immediately met with strong resistance among the employees.
