fragmentation / splintering
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fragmentation
The process or result of dividing a political, social, or organizational unit into many small, often disunited parts.
Die politische Zersplitterung des Landes in unzählige Kleinparteien machte eine Regierungsbildung unmöglich.
The political fragmentation of the country into countless small parties made forming a government impossible.
splintering
The physical process in which something breaks into many small, often sharp pieces.
Die Zersplitterung der Fensterscheibe war im ganzen Haus zu hören.
The splintering of the windowpane could be heard throughout the house.
The word comes from the verb 'zersplittern' (to splinter). The prefix 'zer-' often expresses destruction or falling apart into many pieces. The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a noun that describes the process or the result.
Die Vorsilbe „zer-“ findest du auch in Verben wie „zerstören“ oder „zerbrechen“.
You can also find the prefix 'zer-' in verbs like 'zerstören' (to destroy) or 'zerbrechen' (to break apart).
You can recognize the figurative, political meaning from words like 'Partei' (party), 'Gesellschaft' (society), or 'Staat' (state). You can recognize the literal, physical meaning from words for breakable materials like 'Glas' (glass), 'Holz' (wood), or 'Knochen' (bone).
Die Zersplitterung der Opposition schwächte ihre Position im Parlament.
The fragmentation of the opposition weakened its position in parliament.
In political or social contexts, typical collocations are 'die politische Zersplitterung' (political fragmentation), 'die Zersplitterung der Gesellschaft' (the fragmentation of society), or 'einer Zersplitterung entgegenwirken' (to counteract fragmentation).
Historiker analysieren die politische Zersplitterung des alten Reiches.
Historians analyze the political fragmentation of the old empire.
When referring to physical breaking apart, the material is often connected with the preposition 'von' and the dative.
Die Zersplitterung von Sicherheitsglas ist so konzipiert, dass keine scharfen Kanten entstehen.
The splintering of safety glass is designed so that no sharp edges are created.
