Migration Period / mass migration
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Migration Period
Refers to the historical period of migratory movements by Germanic and other peoples in Europe from the late 4th to the 6th century, which contributed significantly to the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Im Geschichtsunterricht haben wir über die Ursachen und Folgen der Völkerwanderung gesprochen.
In history class, we talked about the causes and consequences of the Migration Period.
mass migration
In a figurative or general sense, a large-scale, mass movement of population groups or crowds of people.
Nach dem Konzert setzte eine wahre Völkerwanderung in Richtung der U-Bahn-Stationen ein.
After the concert, a real mass migration toward the subway stations began.
The word consists of 'Völker', the plural of 'das Volk' (people/nation), and 'Wanderung' (migration/hike). So it literally describes a wandering or migration of peoples.
Die Völkerwanderung führte zu großen Veränderungen in der europäischen Bevölkerung.
The Migration Period led to major changes in the European population.
In its main meaning, 'die Völkerwanderung' (the Migration Period) is a fixed historical term that refers to a specific era in Late Antiquity. In texts, it is often treated like a proper name.
Die Völkerwanderung gilt als eine Übergangszeit zwischen Antike und Mittelalter.
The Migration Period is considered a transitional period between antiquity and the Middle Ages.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If it is not about history, but about large crowds in everyday life (e.g., after a soccer game, during rush hour), the figurative meaning is intended.
Jeden Morgen um acht Uhr beginnt die tägliche Völkerwanderung zur Arbeit.
Every morning at eight o'clock, the daily mass migration to work begins.
In the figurative meaning, the word is often used with slight exaggeration or humor. It frequently appears with adjectives such as 'eine wahre' (a true/real) or 'eine regelrechte' (an outright) Völkerwanderung.
Am ersten warmen Wochenende des Jahres gab es eine wahre Völkerwanderung an die Seen.
On the first warm weekend of the year, there was a real mass migration to the lakes.
migration
Migration and Völkerwanderung can both refer to large movements of people or population groups. Migration is the neutral, general term, while Völkerwanderung emphasizes a particularly mass movement. Migration is appropriate for an ordinary long-term movement, while Völkerwanderung is used for a very large movement of people.
Die Völkerwanderung großer Bevölkerungsgruppen veränderte die Region grundlegend.
The mass migration of large population groups fundamentally changed the region.
Die Migration vieler Menschen in andere Regionen veränderte deren Alltag nachhaltig.
The migration of many people to other regions permanently changed their daily lives.
