die Verdauung
digestion
The biological process in the body in which food that has been consumed is broken down and converted into nutrients.
EXAMPLE
Ballaststoffe sind wichtig für eine gesunde Verdauung.
Fiber is important for healthy digestion.
die Verdauung
digestion
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Meanings
die Verdauung
digestion
Used figuratively for the mental or emotional processing of information, impressions, or experiences.
EXAMPLE
Die geistige Verdauung all dieser neuen Eindrücke wird einige Zeit dauern.
The mental digestion of all these new impressions will take some time.
Usage tips
Word family
'Verdauung' (digestion) is the nominalization of the verb 'verdauen' (to digest). The ending '-ung' turns the activity of digesting into a noun that describes the entire process.
EXAMPLE
Manche Speisen kann der Körper nur schwer verdauen.
The body can only digest some foods with difficulty.
Typical collocations
In the biological sense, 'Verdauung' (digestion) is often combined with adjectives like 'gut' (good), 'schlecht' (bad), 'gesund' (healthy), or 'langsam' (slow). Typical verbs are 'fördern' (to promote) or 'anregen' (to stimulate).
EXAMPLE
Ein Spaziergang nach dem Essen regt die Verdauung an.
A walk after eating stimulates digestion.
Context clue
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that it is not about food, but about processing abstract things like 'Informationen' (information), 'Erlebnisse' (experiences), or 'Eindrücke' (impressions).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Reise brauchte sie eine Woche für die Verdauung der vielen neuen Eindrücke.
After the trip, she needed a week to digest all the many new impressions.
Compare with
Verdauung vs Verarbeitung
processing / workmanship
Verarbeitung is the neutral term for someone mentally or emotionally taking in and understanding information or experiences. Verdauung (digestion) can express the same idea figuratively, but it is more stylistically striking. Verarbeitung suits a factual statement, while Verdauung is more appropriate when deliberately using a physical image.
Verdauung
Für die Verdauung dieser überraschenden Nachricht braucht sie erst einmal etwas Ruhe.
She needs some peace and quiet to digest this surprising news.
Verarbeitung
Für die Verarbeitung dieser überraschenden Nachricht braucht sie etwas Zeit.
She needs some time to process this surprising news.
In real life
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