contraception / prevention
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contraception
The use of methods or means to prevent pregnancy. This is also referred to as birth control or contraception.
Der Arzt beriet das junge Paar über verschiedene Methoden der Verhütung.
The doctor advised the young couple on various methods of contraception.
The noun 'die Verhütung' (contraception/prevention) is derived from the verb 'verhüten' (to prevent). This verb consists of the prefix 'ver-' and the stem 'hüten', which means 'schützen' (to protect) or 'bewachen' (to guard). So 'Verhütung' is literally protection against something unwanted.
Gute Planung dient der Verhütung von Problemen.
Good planning serves to prevent problems.
'Verhütung' (prevention/contraception) is very often used in the fixed phrase 'zur Verhütung von etwas' (for the prevention of something). Here, 'etwas' (something) is in the dative. This construction expresses the purpose or goal of the measure.
Zur Verhütung von Missverständnissen sollten wir alles genau besprechen.
To prevent misunderstandings, we should discuss everything in detail.
In everyday usage, 'Verhütung' (contraception) almost always means birth control, especially when no further context is given. The topic is usually personal health or family planning.
In der Schule lernen Jugendliche über Sexualität und Verhütung.
At school, young people learn about sexuality and contraception.
The general meaning 'Prävention' (prevention) is more formal and typical of administrative or specialist language. You often find it in compound words such as 'Unfallverhütung' (accident prevention), 'Brandverhütung' (fire prevention), or 'Kriminalitätsverhütung' (crime prevention).
Die Firma investiert viel in die Unfallverhütung am Arbeitsplatz.
The company invests a lot in accident prevention in the workplace.
combating
'Bekämpfung' and 'Verhütung' can both have to do with unwanted events. 'Bekämpfung' is used when you actively take action against a problem that already exists or is present as a concrete danger. 'Verhütung' means that you want to prevent something from happening in the first place. Very often, 'Verhütung' also refers to methods that prevent pregnancy. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in contexts involving diseases, accidents, or crime. Pay attention to the timing: 'Verhütung' comes before, while 'Bekämpfung' is directed against an existing problem.
Die Ärztin erklärt, welche Möglichkeiten der Verhütung es gibt.
The doctor explains what methods of contraception are available.
Nach dem Gespräch schrieb er einen Plan zur Bekämpfung der Probleme im Büro.
After the conversation, he wrote a plan for combating the problems in the office.