family tree / phylogenetic tree
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family tree
A graphical representation of a family's ancestry and kinship relationships across several generations.
Meine Großmutter hat einen detaillierten Stammbaum unserer Familie erstellt, der bis ins 17. Jahrhundert zurückreicht.
My grandmother created a detailed family tree of our family that goes back to the 17th century.
The word 'Stammbaum' is a combination of 'der Stamm' (trunk / lineage) and 'der Baum' (tree). Here, 'Stamm' means 'line of descent' or 'family'. The visual idea of a tree with its branches helps to visualize the branching of a family across generations.
Für das Schulprojekt mussten wir den Stammbaum unserer Familie zeichnen.
For the school project, we had to draw our family's family tree.
You can tell from context whether the family meaning or the biological meaning is intended. If the sentences mention 'Familie' (family), 'Vorfahren' (ancestors), or 'Generationen' (generations), it is about genealogy. With terms like 'Arten' (species), 'Evolution' (evolution), or 'Spezies' (species), the biological phylogenetic tree is meant.
Sie erforscht ihren familiären Stammbaum bis ins 18. Jahrhundert.
She is researching her family tree back to the 18th century.
Certain verbs are often used in connection with a family tree. Typical phrases are 'einen Stammbaum erstellen' (to create a family tree), 'seinen Stammbaum erforschen' (to research one's family tree), or 'den Stammbaum zurückverfolgen' (to trace the family tree back).
Er hat viel Zeit investiert, um seinen Stammbaum zu erforschen.
He invested a lot of time in researching his family tree.
tree
'der Baum' and 'der Stammbaum' can both refer to a branching diagram. Here, 'Baum' is the general term for a structure with branches or levels, for example in a diagram or in computer science. 'Stammbaum' is more specific: it shows kinship and ancestry, usually in a family, and sometimes also in biology. The words can be confused because a family tree is structured like a tree. If you are talking generally about a branching representation, 'Baum' fits. If you are talking about origin and kinship, 'Stammbaum' is more precise.
Für das Schulprojekt zeichnet Lena den Stammbaum ihrer Familie.
For the school project, Lena is drawing her family's family tree.
Der Baum im Diagramm zeigt, wie die Abteilungen der Firma zusammenhängen.
The tree in the diagram shows how the company's departments are connected.