diversity
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diversity
The presence of many different types, forms, aspects, or possibilities within a group or area.
Die kulturelle Vielfalt der Stadt zeigt sich in den vielen verschiedenen Restaurants und Festen.
The city's cultural diversity is reflected in its many different restaurants and festivals.
'Vielfalt' (diversity) is made up of 'viel' (much / many) and the old ending '-falt', which means '-fold' or 'folding'. So the word literally describes 'many-foldness' or variety.
Die Vielfalt der Natur ist beeindruckend.
The diversity of nature is impressive.
To specify what the diversity consists of, German often uses the preposition 'an' followed by the dative. The genitive is also possible, but 'an' is very common.
Das Geschäft bietet eine große Vielfalt an Käsesorten.
The shop offers a wide variety of cheeses.
'Vielfalt' (diversity) is very often used in fixed combinations such as 'kulturelle Vielfalt' (cultural diversity), 'biologische Vielfalt' (biological diversity), or 'Artenvielfalt' (species diversity).
Berlin ist bekannt für seine kulturelle Vielfalt.
Berlin is known for its cultural diversity.
multitude
'die Vielfalt' and 'die Vielzahl' both describe that there is not just a small amount of something. The most important difference is the focus. 'Vielfalt' emphasizes differences: there are many different types, forms, or possibilities. 'Vielzahl' mainly emphasizes the large quantity or number. It very often appears in the form 'eine Vielzahl von' (a large number of / a wide variety of). Learners easily confuse the words because both have to do with 'viel' (much / many). If the differences are important, 'Vielfalt' fits. If the large number is important, 'Vielzahl' fits.
Die Vielfalt der Sprachen in der Klasse macht den Unterricht interessant.
The diversity of languages in the class makes the lessons interesting.
Eine Vielzahl von Bewerbungen kam schon am ersten Tag im Büro an.
A large number of applications arrived at the office on the very first day.