digestion
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digestion
The biological process in the body in which food that has been consumed is broken down and converted into nutrients.
Ballaststoffe sind wichtig für eine gesunde Verdauung.
Fiber is important for healthy digestion.
'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.
Manche Speisen kann der Körper nur schwer verdauen.
The body can only digest some foods with difficulty.
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).
Ein Spaziergang nach dem Essen regt die Verdauung an.
A walk after eating stimulates digestion.
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).
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.
processing / workmanship
'die Verarbeitung' and 'die Verdauung' both describe a process in which something is taken in and changed. 'Verdauung' is normally used for food in the body. In a figurative sense, it can also be about mentally or emotionally dealing with impressions or experiences. 'Verarbeitung' is much broader: it fits materials, data, information, or also experiences. Learners may confuse the words because both can fit impressions in a figurative sense. When it is about food and the body, 'Verdauung' is correct. When it is about data, material, or general understanding, 'Verarbeitung' is more natural.
Nach dem schweren Essen braucht seine Verdauung etwas Ruhe.
After the heavy meal, his digestion needs a little rest.
Die Verarbeitung der Daten dauert heute länger als geplant.
Processing the data is taking longer than planned today.