contraception / prevention
Loading your saved state.
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.
prevention
The set of measures taken to prevent an unwanted event such as an illness, an accident, or a crime from occurring. This is a more general and more formal meaning.
Zur Verhütung von Waldbränden ist das Rauchen im Wald streng verboten.
To prevent forest fires, smoking in the forest is strictly prohibited.
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.
prevention
Prävention is the usual general term for measures intended to prevent illnesses or other undesirable events. Verhütung can also have this formal meaning, but in everyday use it usually refers to preventing pregnancy. In general health programs, Prävention is therefore usually the better choice.
Der Bericht beschreibt die Verhütung von Krankheiten durch regelmäßige Bewegung.
The report describes preventing illnesses through regular exercise.
Die Prävention von Krankheiten ist ein wichtiges Ziel des Gesundheitsprogramms.
Preventing illnesses is an important goal of the health program.
