revolution
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revolution
A fundamental, often violent overthrow of the existing political and social order.
Die Französische Revolution von 1789 hatte weitreichende Folgen für ganz Europa.
The French Revolution of 1789 had far-reaching consequences for all of Europe.
Words that end in '-ion' are almost always feminine (die) in German. They often come from Latin and have a similar form and meaning in many European languages.
Die Diskussion über die Revolution dauerte Stunden.
The discussion about the revolution lasted for hours.
In the political sense, 'Revolution' (revolution) is often used with verbs such as 'eine Revolution anzetteln' (to instigate a revolution), 'durchführen' (to carry out), or 'niederschlagen' (to crush).
Die Rebellen versuchten, eine Revolution anzuzetteln.
The rebels tried to instigate a revolution.
Outside politics, 'Revolution' (revolution) describes a profound innovation. Adjectives such as 'digital', 'technisch' (technical), or 'kulturell' (cultural) point to this figurative meaning.
Die Erfindung des Buchdrucks war eine mediale Revolution.
The invention of the printing press was a media revolution.
In astronomy, 'Revolution' (revolution) means the orbit of a celestial body around another. You can recognize this meaning from the context (planets, stars) and often from the preposition 'um' (around).
Die Revolution des Mondes um die Erde dauert ungefähr 27 Tage.
The revolution of the Moon around the Earth takes about 27 days.
reaction
'die Reaktion' and 'die Revolution' can appear as opposites in political texts. 'die Revolution' then means a major overthrow of the existing order. In this context, 'die Reaktion' means a political tendency that rejects such changes and wants to bring back earlier conditions. Learners may confuse the words because they sound similar and both can be political. But the important point is: Revolution stands for radical change, while Reaktion in this meaning stands for resistance to progress or a return to the old order.
Die Revolution veränderte das politische System des Landes vollständig.
The revolution completely changed the country's political system.
In dem Geschichtsbuch wird die Reaktion als Gegenbewegung zur neuen Politik beschrieben.
In the history book, the reaction is described as a countermovement to the new politics.