background / medical history / prehistory
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background
The totality of events, circumstances, and developments that preceded a specific event and led to it; the background.
Um den Konflikt zu verstehen, muss man seine lange Vorgeschichte kennen.
To understand the conflict, you need to know its long background.
medical history
In medicine, the medical history of a patient, including all previous illnesses, treatments, and relevant life circumstances. The technical term is anamnesis.
Der Arzt fragte den Patienten ausführlich nach seiner medizinischen Vorgeschichte.
The doctor asked the patient in detail about his medical history.
prehistory
The era of the human past before the invention of writing; prehistory and early history.
Das Museum hat eine beeindruckende Sammlung von Werkzeugen aus der Vorgeschichte.
The museum has an impressive collection of tools from prehistory.
The word is simply built from 'vor-' (before) and 'Geschichte' (history/story). So it literally describes the events that happened before a main story or main event.
Jeder gute Film hat eine interessante Vorgeschichte.
Every good film has an interesting background story.
The context makes it clear which meaning is intended. Medical terms like 'Arzt' (doctor) or 'Patient' (patient) point to medical history. Historical terms like 'Museum' (museum) or 'Steinzeit' (Stone Age) point to the era. In all other cases, it usually means the background of an event.
Die politische Krise hat eine komplizierte Vorgeschichte. (Hintergrund)
The political crisis has a complicated background. (background)
In the general meaning, 'Vorgeschichte' (background) is often combined with adjectives like 'lang' (long), 'kurz' (short), 'kompliziert' (complicated), or 'unbekannt' (unknown). People also speak of the 'Vorgeschichte eines Konflikts' (background of a conflict) or 'einer Beziehung' (of a relationship).
Ihre Freundschaft hat eine lange Vorgeschichte.
Their friendship has a long background.
When you are at the doctor's and are asked about your 'Vorgeschichte' (medical history), the doctor means your medical history. Typical questions are: 'Gibt es in Ihrer Vorgeschichte ernste Erkrankungen?' (Are there any serious illnesses in your medical history?)
Bitte füllen Sie diesen Bogen zu Ihrer medizinischen Vorgeschichte aus.
Please fill out this form about your medical history.
background
Der Hintergrund (background) includes the causes and circumstances that explain an event. Die Vorgeschichte (backstory) describes in particular the earlier events and developments that led to it. Hintergrund fits explanatory circumstances; Vorgeschichte fits a chronological sequence leading up to the event.
Der Bericht erzählt die Vorgeschichte der Schließung von den ersten Verlusten bis zum Weggang wichtiger Kunden.
The report recounts the backstory of the closure, from the first losses to the departure of key customers.
Der Bericht erklärt den Hintergrund der Schließung mit hohen Kosten und geringer Nachfrage.
The report explains the background to the closure: high costs and low demand.
