01
die Streuung
spreading
The distribution or spreading of something over a surface.
example
Die Streuung von Salz auf den Straßen soll Glätte verhindern.
The spreading of salt on the roads is meant to prevent ice.
die Streuung
spreading / dispersion / scattering
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Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Streuung' is the nominalization of the verb 'streuen' (to scatter, spread, or sprinkle). The ending '-ung' turns the action of distributing into a noun that describes the action itself or its result.
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner sorgt durch das Streuen für eine gleichmäßige Streuung der Samen.
By scattering the seeds, the gardener ensures an even distribution of them.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Streuung' depends heavily on the context. In everyday language, it usually refers to physical distribution or spreading (m01). In discussions about surveys or exams, it refers to the variety of results (m02). In scientific texts, it is often a technical term (m03, m04).
EXAMPLE
Die große Streuung der Meinungen in der Gruppe machte eine Einigung schwierig.
The wide spread of opinions in the group made agreement difficult.
Typical collocations
In the abstract meaning, 'Streuung' is often combined with adjectives such as 'groß' (large), 'breit' (wide), 'gering' (small/low), or 'stark' (strong). It describes the variety of, for example, results, data, opinions, or assets.
EXAMPLE
Die Umfrage zeigte eine breite Streuung der politischen Ansichten.
The survey showed a wide spread of political views.
Technical language
In statistics and physics, 'Streuung' is a precise technical term. In statistics, it measures deviation from a mean value; in physics, the deflection of waves or particles. In these contexts, the word has an exact, measurable meaning.
EXAMPLE
Im Physikunterricht haben wir die Streuung von Licht an einem Prisma untersucht.
In physics class, we investigated the scattering of light by a prism.
Compare with
Streuung vs Verbreitung
spread / distribution
'die Verbreitung' and 'die Streuung' can both describe that something does not stay in just one point, but is distributed across an area or group. 'Verbreitung' more often means that something reaches many places, people, or areas, for example an idea, a disease, or an animal species. 'Streuung' puts more emphasis on the distribution itself: something is found in different places, or values differ within a group. In statistics and measurements, 'Streuung' is especially typical. The words can be confused when talking about many places or many data points. For reach or spread, 'Verbreitung' usually fits; for differences or distribution within a set, 'Streuung' is usually more appropriate.
Streuung
Bei der Umfrage war die Streuung der Antworten sehr groß.
In the survey, the spread of the answers was very large.
Verbreitung
Die Verbreitung dieser Pflanzenart ist in den letzten Jahren größer geworden.
The distribution of this plant species has become wider in recent years.
In real life
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