zoology
Loading your saved state.
zoology
The scientific discipline concerned with the study of animals, their structure, function, behavior, and classification. It is a branch of biology and is also called animal science.
Im Studium der Zoologie lernen wir alles über das Tierreich.
In our zoology studies, we learn everything about the animal kingdom.
The word ends in '-logie' (-logy), which is typical for a science. The first part, 'Zoo-', comes from Greek and means 'animal'. So 'Zoologie' (zoology) literally means 'the study of animals'.
Die Endung -logie findet man in vielen Wissenschaften, wie Biologie oder Geologie.
The ending -logie is found in many sciences, such as biology or geology.
The related adjective is 'zoologisch' (zoological). It is often used in the phrase 'zoologischer Garten' (zoological garden), which is another word for 'Zoo' (zoo).
Wir besuchen am Sonntag den zoologischen Garten in Berlin.
We are visiting the zoological garden in Berlin on Sunday.
'Zoologie' (zoology) is the formal, scientific term. In everyday language or at school, people often use the simpler word 'Tierkunde' (animal studies).
Für ihre Doktorarbeit forscht sie auf dem Gebiet der Zoologie.
For her doctoral thesis, she is researching in the field of zoology.
As a scientific discipline, 'Zoologie' (zoology) is often used with verbs of learning and researching. Typical combinations are 'Zoologie studieren' (to study zoology), 'in der Zoologie forschen' (to do research in zoology), or 'sich mit Zoologie beschäftigen' (to deal with zoology).
Sie hat sich schon als Kind für Zoologie interessiert.
She has been interested in zoology since she was a child.
biology
'Biologie' and 'Zoologie' both have to do with the scientific study of living organisms. 'Biologie' is the general umbrella term for the science of life. It includes many topics, such as plants, animals, humans, cells, and life processes. 'Zoologie' is a branch of biology and deals specifically with animals. Learners may confuse the words because zoology is part of biology. When it is about living organisms in general, you say 'Biologie'. When it is only about animals, 'Zoologie' fits better.
Nach dem Gespräch im Zoo liest ihr Kind ein Buch über Zoologie.
After the conversation at the zoo, her child reads a book about zoology.
Meine Freundin interessiert sich für Biologie, besonders für das Leben im Meer.
My friend is interested in biology, especially life in the sea.