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die Bevölkerung

A2 noun #4,000 am häufigsten 10 Min. Lesezeit

die Bevölkerung

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Erklärung die Bevölkerung in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to recognize 'die Bevölkerung' as a word meaning 'the people in a place'. You might see it in very simple texts about Germany, such as 'Die Bevölkerung von Deutschland ist groß' (The population of Germany is large). You don't need to use it in your own speech yet, but knowing that 'die' goes with it because of the '-ung' ending is a great first step. Think of it as a more formal way to say 'the people'. At this stage, just associate the word with numbers and maps.

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At the A2 level, you should start using 'die Bevölkerung' to describe your home country or city. You will learn to use it with basic adjectives like 'groß' (large), 'klein' (small), or 'jung' (young). You should understand that it is a feminine singular noun. You might encounter it in reading exercises about cities or traveling. For example: 'Die Bevölkerung in dieser Stadt ist sehr freundlich.' It's important to distinguish it from 'Leute' (people), which you use for individuals you actually talk to. 'Bevölkerung' is for the whole group of residents in a region.

At B1, you move into more complex discussions. You will use 'die Bevölkerung' in the context of social issues, like 'Bevölkerungswachstum' (population growth) or 'die alternde Bevölkerung' (the aging population). You should be able to use the genitive case with it, such as 'die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung' (the majority of the population). This is the level where you start reading news articles or listening to reports where this word is used to describe public opinion or demographic shifts. You'll also learn to use prepositions like 'in der Bevölkerung' to talk about trends.

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At the B2 level, 'die Bevölkerung' is a standard part of your vocabulary for debates and essays. You will use it to discuss complex topics like migration, urban planning, and economic policy. You should be familiar with compound words like 'Bevölkerungsdichte' (population density) and 'Bevölkerungsstatistik'. You will distinguish between 'die Bevölkerung' (everyone living there) and 'das Volk' (the national/ethnic group). You should be able to write detailed reports or give presentations where you analyze the needs or changes within the population of a specific region.

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At C1, your use of 'die Bevölkerung' becomes highly nuanced. You will explore sociological and philosophical aspects of the term. You might discuss 'die schrumpfende Bevölkerung' (the shrinking population) in the context of economic sustainability. You will understand the legal distinctions of who is counted in the 'Bevölkerung' versus who is a 'Staatsbürger' (citizen). Your vocabulary will include academic terms like 'Bevölkerungsexplosion' or 'Bevölkerungspolitik'. You are expected to use the word fluently in high-level discussions about global demographics and social theory.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'die Bevölkerung' and its place in the German language. You can use it in academic writing, legal documents, and sophisticated literary contexts. You understand the historical weight of the word and its related terms. You can analyze how the term is used in political rhetoric to include or exclude certain groups. You use it effortlessly in complex grammatical structures and can debate the intricacies of demographic change at a near-native level, using a wide range of synonyms and related technical terminology.

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die Bevölkerung in 30 Sekunden

Die Bevölkerung is a feminine noun meaning 'population', referring to all inhabitants of a specific area like a city or country.
It is primarily used in formal, statistical, and political contexts rather than in casual, personal conversations.
The word is grammatically singular, so it always takes a singular verb, even though it represents many individuals.
It is formed from the root 'Volk' (people) with the prefix 'be-' and the feminine suffix '-ung'.

The German noun die Bevölkerung is a fundamental term used to describe the total number of people living in a specific area, whether it be a city, a state, a country, or even the entire planet. While in English we often simply say 'population', the German term carries a sense of collective residency and demographic grouping. It is most frequently encountered in contexts involving statistics, social sciences, news reporting, and political discussions. For a learner at the A2 level, understanding this word is crucial because it appears constantly in weather reports (population density affecting climate), news about city growth, and general descriptions of Germany. The word is feminine, which is a common trait for German nouns ending in the suffix -ung. This suffix typically turns a verb into a noun that describes a process or the result of a process. In this case, the verb is bevölkern, which means 'to populate' or 'to inhabit'. Therefore, die Bevölkerung is literally 'the populating' or the state of being populated.

Demographic Context: Used when discussing the number of inhabitants in a region. Example: 'Die Bevölkerung Deutschlands wächst.'
Social Context: Used when referring to the people as a collective body that has needs or opinions. Example: 'Die Bevölkerung ist mit der Entscheidung unzufrieden.'

In großen Städten wie Berlin ist die Bevölkerung sehr vielfältig und international.

One of the key nuances to master is the difference between die Bevölkerung and die Leute (the people). While Leute is informal and refers to individuals you might see on the street, Bevölkerung is more formal and refers to the people as a statistical or political entity. You would use Bevölkerung when reading a graph about migration or when a politician addresses the nation's inhabitants. It is also used to form many compound words, which are very common in German. Words like Bevölkerungsdichte (population density) or Bevölkerungswachstum (population growth) are essential for academic or professional communication. Even at an A2 level, recognizing these compounds helps you decipher complex texts by identifying the root word.

Die Regierung muss die Interessen der gesamten Bevölkerung berücksichtigen.

Furthermore, the word is generally used in the singular. Even if you are talking about millions of people, you say 'the population is' (die Bevölkerung ist), not 'the population are'. This matches the English usage of the word 'population'. In historical contexts, you might hear about the Landbevölkerung (rural population) versus the Stadtbevölkerung (urban population), which helps categorize where people live. Understanding these distinctions is a sign of progressing from basic survival German to a more descriptive and analytical level of the language.

Wie hoch ist die Bevölkerung in deiner Heimatstadt?

Using die Bevölkerung correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a feminine noun and its typical placement in descriptive sentences. In the nominative case, it functions as the subject: Die Bevölkerung wächst (The population grows). In the accusative case, it acts as the object: Wir zählen die Bevölkerung (We count the population). Because it refers to a collective, it is almost always used with singular verb forms. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might occasionally treat collective nouns as plural. In German, consistency is key: die Bevölkerung hat, die Bevölkerung ist, die Bevölkerung braucht.

Subject Position: Die Bevölkerung von München ist in den letzten Jahren stark gestiegen.
Object Position: Die neue Steuer betrifft die gesamte Bevölkerung des Landes.

Fast die Hälfte der Bevölkerung lebt in Städten.

Notice in the example above, der Bevölkerung is in the genitive case, meaning 'of the population'. This is very common when discussing percentages or parts of a group. Phrases like ein Teil der Bevölkerung (a part of the population) or die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung (the majority of the population) are vital for making general statements about society. When you want to describe the characteristics of the population, you can use adjectives like alt (old), jung (young), arm (poor), or reich (rich). For example: Die alternde Bevölkerung ist eine Herausforderung für das Rentensystem (The aging population is a challenge for the pension system).

Die lokale Bevölkerung protestierte gegen den Bau der Autobahn.

In more advanced usage, you will see Bevölkerung combined with prepositions. For instance, in der Bevölkerung (among the population). You might say: Es gibt viel Unmut in der Bevölkerung (There is a lot of resentment among the population). This structure is perfect for discussing public opinion or sociological trends. Another common structure is innerhalb der Bevölkerung (within the population), which is used to describe internal dynamics or differences between sub-groups. By mastering these sentence patterns, you move beyond simple definitions and start communicating complex ideas about how people live together.

Die Bevölkerung wird immer mobiler.

If you turn on the German news program Tagesschau or read a newspaper like Die Zeit, you are almost guaranteed to encounter die Bevölkerung. It is the standard term for reporting on national issues. For example, during an election, news anchors will discuss how die Bevölkerung is likely to vote. During a health crisis, they might talk about the vaccination rate in der Bevölkerung. It is a word of the public sphere, lending an air of objectivity and scale to the discussion. It avoids the personal nature of 'Menschen' and focuses on the demographic whole.

News & Media: Used in reports on migration, birth rates, and economic changes.
Education: Common in geography, history, and social studies textbooks.

Die Bevölkerung wurde aufgefordert, Wasser zu sparen.

In a classroom setting, specifically in Erdkunde (geography) or Sozialkunde (social studies), students learn about the Bevölkerungspyramide (population pyramid). This visual representation of age and gender distribution is a staple of German education. If you are a student in Germany or taking a German exam like the TestDaF or Goethe-Zertifikat, you will need to describe graphs using this term. You might hear: Die Grafik zeigt die Entwicklung der Bevölkerung von 1950 bis heute. This usage is formal, precise, and essential for academic success.

In der Bevölkerung gibt es eine breite Unterstützung für das neue Gesetz.

Beyond formal media, you might hear the word in public announcements. For instance, in the event of a natural disaster or a public safety warning, authorities will issue a Warnung an die Bevölkerung. This emphasizes that the message is for everyone living in the area. In everyday conversation, while people might use Leute to talk about their friends, they will switch to Bevölkerung when talking about 'the people' in a political sense, such as when discussing why the cost of living is a problem for everyone. It bridges the gap between personal experience and collective reality.

Die Bevölkerung der Erde hat die Acht-Milliarden-Marke überschritten.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing die Bevölkerung with die Einwohner. While both relate to people living in a place, Einwohner (inhabitants/residents) is a countable noun usually used for specific numbers: Berlin hat 3,7 Millionen Einwohner. You would rarely say Berlin hat eine Bevölkerung von 3,7 Millionen in casual speech, though it is technically correct. Bevölkerung is more about the group as a whole. Think of Einwohner as individual residents and Bevölkerung as the mass entity of the population.

Confusion with 'Leute': Don't say 'Die Bevölkerung im Supermarkt war nett.' Use 'Die Leute' instead. 'Bevölkerung' is too formal for small groups.
Pluralization Error: Avoid saying 'Die Bevölkerungen sind...' unless you are specifically comparing the populations of different countries.

Falsch: Die Bevölkerung sind heute sehr beschäftigt. (Correct: Die Leute sind...)

Another mistake involves the gender. Because 'people' (the plural concept) is often associated with the plural article die, learners sometimes forget that die Bevölkerung is singular feminine. This leads to errors in adjective endings. It should be die gesamte Bevölkerung (the whole population), not die gesamten Bevölkerung. Also, be careful with the word Volk. While Volk is the root, it has historical and political connotations (often meaning 'the nation' or 'the ethnic people') that can be sensitive in German history. Bevölkerung is a much safer, more neutral demographic term to use in most modern contexts.

Richtig: Die Bevölkerung Deutschlands ist im Durchschnitt recht alt.

Finally, watch out for the pronunciation of the -v-. In German, v is often pronounced like an English f. So it sounds like 'be-föl-ke-rung'. If you pronounce it with a soft 'v' like in 'village', you will be understood, but it won't sound native. Also, ensure the stress is on the second syllable (-völ-). Misplacing the stress can make the word hard for native speakers to recognize in fast speech. Practicing the transition from the prefix be- to the stressed völ is a great way to improve your overall German rhythm.

Achtung: Bevölkerung (Singular) ≠ Menschen (Plural).

To truly master the concept of 'population' in German, you must understand the spectrum of words that describe groups of people. Die Bevölkerung is the most neutral and demographic term. However, depending on your focus—whether it's legal residency, ethnic identity, or just a group of individuals—you might choose a different word. Understanding these nuances will elevate your German from functional to fluent. Below is a comparison of the most common alternatives.

Einwohner (pl.): Refers to individuals who live in a place. Used for statistics: 'Die Stadt hat viele Einwohner.'
Das Volk: Means 'the people' in a national or ethnic sense. 'Das deutsche Volk' refers to the nation as a political or cultural unit.
Die Bürgerschaft: Refers specifically to the citizens of a city or state, often in a civic or legal context.

Während die Bevölkerung alle Bewohner meint, umfasst 'das Volk' oft nur die Staatsbürger.

Another interesting term is die Einwohnerschaft. This is very similar to Bevölkerung but is often used in smaller, more community-focused contexts, like a small town or a specific neighborhood. If you are talking about the people who live in a specific apartment block, you might even use die Bewohner. The choice depends on the scale. Use Bevölkerung for countries and regions, Einwohner for cities, and Bewohner for buildings or small districts. This precision helps you sound more like a native speaker who understands the administrative and social structures of German-speaking countries.

Die Bevölkerung ist ein abstrakter Begriff, 'die Menschen' ist ein persönlicher Begriff.

Finally, consider the word die Öffentlichkeit (the public). While Bevölkerung refers to the people as a demographic group, Öffentlichkeit refers to people in their role as participants in public life and debate. If a scandal is known to everyone, it is 'in der Öffentlichkeit'. If a demographic trend is happening to everyone, it is 'in der Bevölkerung'. Distinguishing between these allows you to describe not just who people are, but how they are acting and interacting within society. Mastering these synonyms will give you the tools to discuss sociology, politics, and daily life with high accuracy.

Die Bevölkerung wächst, aber die Zahl der Wähler sinkt.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'Volk' in 'Bevölkerung' is the same root as the English word 'folk' and the brand 'Volkswagen' (the people's car).

Aussprachehilfe

UK /bəˈfœlkəʁʊŋ/

US /bəˈfœlkəruŋ/

Second syllable: be-VÖL-ke-rung

Reimt sich auf

Erinnerung Wanderung Änderung Linderung Förderung Forderung Halterung Niederung

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'v' as a 'v' sound (like village) instead of 'f' (like folk).
Stress on the first syllable 'be-'.
Pronouncing '-ung' like 'ong' with a clear 'g' sound (it should be a nasal 'ng').
Missing the 'l' sound in the middle.
Shortening the 'ö' too much.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'folk', but appears in complex sentences.

Schreiben 4/5

Requires correct adjective endings and case usage (genitive is common).

Sprechen 4/5

Pronunciation of 'v' as 'f' and the 'ö' sound can be tricky.

Hören 3/5

Very common in news, easy to pick out once you know the sound.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

das Volk die Stadt das Land viele wohnen

Als Nächstes lernen

die Staatsangehörigkeit der Einwohner die Migration die Demografie das Wachstum

Fortgeschritten

die Geburtenrate die Sterberate die Urbanisierung die soziale Mobilität die Altersstruktur

Wichtige Grammatik

Nouns ending in -ung are always feminine.

Die Bevölkerung, die Wohnung, die Übung.

Collective nouns take singular verbs.

Die Bevölkerung IST (not sind) zufrieden.

Genitive case for 'of the population'.

Ein Teil DER Bevölkerung.

Dative case after prepositions like 'in'.

In DER Bevölkerung gibt es Fragen.

Adjective endings for feminine singular nouns.

Die gesamtE Bevölkerung.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Die Bevölkerung von Berlin ist groß.

The population of Berlin is large.

Feminine noun, nominative case.

Wie ist die Bevölkerung hier?

How is the population here?

Question structure with 'sein'.

Die Bevölkerung wächst.

The population is growing.

Present tense, singular verb.

Ich kenne die Bevölkerung nicht.

I don't know the population.

Accusative case after 'kennen'.

Die Bevölkerung braucht Wasser.

The population needs water.

Subject-Verb-Object structure.

Das ist die Bevölkerung.

That is the population.

Demonstrative pronoun with 'sein'.

Ist die Bevölkerung klein?

Is the population small?

Yes/No question.

Die Bevölkerung dort ist nett.

The population there is nice.

Adjective as a predicate.

Die gesamte Bevölkerung feiert das Fest.

The entire population is celebrating the festival.

Adjective 'gesamt' with feminine ending -e.

Die Bevölkerung in Deutschland wird älter.

The population in Germany is getting older.

Comparative adjective 'älter'.

Die Stadt hat eine junge Bevölkerung.

The city has a young population.

Accusative case with indefinite article.

Ein Teil der Bevölkerung spricht Englisch.

A part of the population speaks English.

Genitive case 'der Bevölkerung'.

Die Bevölkerung muss sparen.

The population must save (money/resources).

Modal verb 'müssen'.

Wie viele Menschen gehören zur Bevölkerung?

How many people belong to the population?

Preposition 'zu' with dative 'der Bevölkerung'.

Die ländliche Bevölkerung lebt oft ruhig.

The rural population often lives quietly.

Adjective 'ländlich' describing the noun.

Die Regierung hilft der Bevölkerung.

The government helps the population.

Dative case after the verb 'helfen'.

Die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung ist gegen den Plan.

The majority of the population is against the plan.

Genitive construction.

Das Bevölkerungswachstum ist ein großes Thema.

Population growth is a big topic.

Compound noun: Bevölkerung + Wachstum.

Die Bevölkerung wurde per Radio gewarnt.

The population was warned via radio.

Passive voice (Vorgangspassiv).

Es gibt Unzufriedenheit in der Bevölkerung.

There is dissatisfaction among the population.

Preposition 'in' with dative.

Die Zusammensetzung der Bevölkerung ändert sich.

The composition of the population is changing.

Reflexive verb 'sich ändern'.

Die Bevölkerung schrumpft in einigen Regionen.

The population is shrinking in some regions.

Verb 'schrumpfen' meaning to shrink.

Man muss die Bedürfnisse der Bevölkerung ernst nehmen.

One must take the needs of the population seriously.

Genitive plural 'der Bedürfnisse'.

Die Bevölkerung ist über die neuen Preise informiert.

The population is informed about the new prices.

Zustandspassiv (state passive).

Die Bevölkerungsdichte in Tokio ist extrem hoch.

The population density in Tokyo is extremely high.

Compound noun: Bevölkerung + s + Dichte.

Die Integration der Bevölkerung ist eine Daueraufgabe.

The integration of the population is a permanent task.

Genitive case used as an attribute.

Die Bevölkerung partizipiert an politischen Prozessen.

The population participates in political processes.

Verb 'partizipieren' with 'an' + dative.

Ein signifikanter Teil der Bevölkerung lebt allein.

A significant part of the population lives alone.

Adjective 'signifikant' in the nominative.

Die wirtschaftliche Lage belastet die Bevölkerung.

The economic situation burdens the population.

Transitive verb 'belasten' with accusative.

Die Bevölkerung ist in verschiedene soziale Schichten unterteilt.

The population is divided into different social strata.

Passive construction with 'unterteilen'.

Es mangelt der Bevölkerung an bezahlbarem Wohnraum.

The population lacks affordable housing.

Impersonal 'es mangelt' + dative object.

Die Bildung der Bevölkerung ist der Schlüssel zum Erfolg.

The education of the population is the key to success.

Genitive attribute.

Die demografische Entwicklung der Bevölkerung ist besorgniserregend.

The demographic development of the population is worrying.

Sophisticated adjective 'besorgniserregend'.

Die Bevölkerung sieht sich mit existenziellen Krisen konfrontiert.

The population finds itself confronted with existential crises.

Reflexive 'sich konfrontiert sehen'.

Die räumliche Verteilung der Bevölkerung ist ungleichmäßig.

The spatial distribution of the population is uneven.

Adjective 'räumlich' (spatial).

Politische Maßnahmen zielen auf das Wohl der Bevölkerung ab.

Political measures aim at the well-being of the population.

Separable verb 'abzielen auf' + accusative.

Die Erwartungshaltung in der Bevölkerung ist enorm gestiegen.

Expectations among the population have risen enormously.

Compound noun 'Erwartungshaltung'.

Es bedarf eines Konsenses innerhalb der Bevölkerung.

A consensus is required within the population.

Verb 'bedürfen' with genitive object.

Die Mobilität der Bevölkerung beeinflusst die Stadtplanung.

The mobility of the population influences urban planning.

Subject-Verb-Object with abstract nouns.

Die Bevölkerung reagiert sensibel auf Steuererhöhungen.

The population reacts sensitively to tax increases.

Adverbial use of 'sensibel'.

Die Heterogenität der Bevölkerung stellt die soziale Kohäsion auf die Probe.

The heterogeneity of the population tests social cohesion.

High-level academic terminology.

Man muss die soziokulturellen Hintergründe der Bevölkerung evaluieren.

One must evaluate the socio-cultural backgrounds of the population.

Compound adjective 'soziokulturell'.

Die Resilienz der Bevölkerung gegenüber Katastrophen ist bemerkenswert.

The resilience of the population towards disasters is remarkable.

Abstract noun 'Resilienz'.

Die demografische Implosion der Bevölkerung scheint unausweichlich.

The demographic implosion of the population seems inevitable.

Metaphorical use of 'Implosion'.

Die Bevölkerung fungiert als Souverän in einer Demokratie.

The population functions as the sovereign in a democracy.

Legal/political terminology 'Souverän'.

Die Fluktuation innerhalb der Bevölkerung erschwert die Datenerhebung.

Fluctuation within the population complicates data collection.

Scientific/statistical context.

Disparitäten in der Bevölkerung führen oft zu politischen Spannungen.

Disparities in the population often lead to political tensions.

Term 'Disparitäten' (inequalities).

Die mentale Verfassung der Bevölkerung spiegelt den Zeitgeist wider.

The mental state of the population reflects the zeitgeist.

Separable verb 'widerspiegeln'.

Häufige Kollokationen

die gesamte Bevölkerung

die ländliche Bevölkerung

die städtische Bevölkerung

die einheimische Bevölkerung

die zivile Bevölkerung

Bevölkerung schützen

Bevölkerung informieren

Bevölkerung befragen

Teil der Bevölkerung

Mehrheit der Bevölkerung

Häufige Phrasen

In der Bevölkerung

— Used to describe opinions or trends among the people.

Es herrscht Unruhe in der Bevölkerung.

Quer durch die Bevölkerung

— Across all layers or groups of the population.

Das Thema ist quer durch die Bevölkerung bekannt.

Nahe an der Bevölkerung

— Being close to the people and their needs (often said of politicians).

Der Bürgermeister ist sehr nahe an der Bevölkerung.

Die breite Bevölkerung

— The general public or the masses.

Die breite Bevölkerung hat keinen Zugang zu diesen Informationen.

Bevölkerung im erwerbsfähigen Alter

— The working-age population.

Die Bevölkerung im erwerbsfähigen Alter sinkt.

Schutz der Bevölkerung

— Protection of the population (civil defense).

Der Schutz der Bevölkerung hat Priorität.

Zusammensetzung der Bevölkerung

— The demographic makeup of the population.

Die Zusammensetzung der Bevölkerung ändert sich durch Migration.

Bevölkerungsschichten

— Social strata or layers of the population.

Das betrifft alle Bevölkerungsschichten.

Bevölkerungsrückgang

— Population decline.

Der Bevölkerungsrückgang ist ein Problem für das Dorf.

Bevölkerungsdichte

— Population density.

Die Bevölkerungsdichte in NRW ist hoch.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

die Bevölkerung vs Volk

Volk has nationalistic or ethnic undertones; Bevölkerung is purely demographic.

die Bevölkerung vs Leute

Leute is for people as individuals; Bevölkerung is the collective whole.

die Bevölkerung vs Publikum

Publikum is an audience (at a theater/concert); Bevölkerung is the residents of a place.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Die Bevölkerung auf die Barrikaden bringen"

— To cause the people to protest or revolt against something.

Die neue Steuer brachte die Bevölkerung auf die Barrikaden.

figurative

"Stimme der Bevölkerung"

— The collective opinion or will of the people.

Die Politik sollte auf die Stimme der Bevölkerung hören.

formal

"Am Puls der Bevölkerung sein"

— To be very well informed about what the people are thinking and feeling.

Journalisten müssen am Puls der Bevölkerung sein.

informal/journalistic

"Die Bevölkerung spalten"

— To cause division or polarization among the people.

Dieses Gesetz könnte die Bevölkerung spalten.

political

"Ein Spiegelbild der Bevölkerung"

— Something that accurately represents the diversity of the people.

Das Parlament sollte ein Spiegelbild der Bevölkerung sein.

formal

"Die Bevölkerung mobilisieren"

— To get the people to take action for a cause.

Die Umweltgruppe versuchte, die Bevölkerung zu mobilisieren.

political

"Die Gunst der Bevölkerung gewinnen"

— To win the favor or popularity of the people.

Der neue König wollte die Gunst der Bevölkerung gewinnen.

literary

"Hinter der Bevölkerung stehen"

— To support the people's interests.

Die Gewerkschaft steht hinter der arbeitenden Bevölkerung.

neutral

"Die Bevölkerung beruhigen"

— To calm the public after a shocking event.

Die Polizei versuchte, die Bevölkerung nach dem Unfall zu beruhigen.

neutral

"Die Bevölkerung im Dunkeln lassen"

— To keep the people uninformed about something important.

Die Regierung darf die Bevölkerung nicht im Dunkeln lassen.

figurative

Leicht verwechselbar

die Bevölkerung vs Einwohner

Both mean people living in a place.

Einwohner is countable and used for specific numbers. Bevölkerung is the abstract collective group.

Die Stadt hat 500 Einwohner. Die Bevölkerung der Stadt ist unzufrieden.

die Bevölkerung vs Bürger

Both refer to people in a country.

Bürger means citizens with legal rights. Bevölkerung includes everyone living there, even without citizenship.

Alle Bürger dürfen wählen. Die Bevölkerung braucht Nahrung.

die Bevölkerung vs Bewohner

Both mean inhabitants.

Bewohner is usually for a specific building or small area. Bevölkerung is for a large region.

Die Bewohner des Hauses streiten. Die Bevölkerung Chinas wächst.

die Bevölkerung vs Menschheit

Both refer to a large group of people.

Menschheit is the entire human race globally. Bevölkerung is restricted to a specific area.

Die Menschheit muss das Klima schützen. Die Bevölkerung von Paris ist groß.

die Bevölkerung vs Gesellschaft

Both describe a group of people.

Gesellschaft refers to the social system and interactions. Bevölkerung refers to the biological/demographic count.

Unsere Gesellschaft ist modern. Die Bevölkerung ist zahlreich.

Satzmuster

Die Bevölkerung von [Ort] ist [Adjektiv].

Die Bevölkerung von Hamburg ist groß.

Es gibt eine [Adjektiv] Bevölkerung in [Ort].

Es gibt eine junge Bevölkerung in dieser Stadt.

Die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung [Verb].

Die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung arbeitet viel.

In der Bevölkerung herrscht [Nomen].

In der Bevölkerung herrscht große Freude.

Die Bevölkerung wird durch [Nomen] beeinflusst.

Die Bevölkerung wird durch die Medien beeinflusst.

Ein Rückgang der Bevölkerung führt zu [Nomen].

Ein Rückgang der Bevölkerung führt zu Problemen.

Angesichts der wachsenden Bevölkerung muss man [Verb].

Angesichts der wachsenden Bevölkerung muss man mehr Häuser bauen.

Die soziostrukturelle Dynamik der Bevölkerung [Verb].

Die soziostrukturelle Dynamik der Bevölkerung ist komplex.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

das Volk

der Bewohner

die Bevölkerungsdichte

die Bevölkerungsstatistik

das Völkchen

Verben

bevölkern

entvölkern

Adjektive

völkisch

bevölkert

überbevölkert

dünn besiedelt

Verwandt

die Demografie

die Statistik

die Einwohnerzahl

die Migration

die Urbanisierung

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high in media and academic writing; moderate in casual speech.

Häufige Fehler

Die Bevölkerung sind... → Die Bevölkerung ist...
'Bevölkerung' is a collective noun that is grammatically singular. Always use singular verbs.
Der Bevölkerung (as Nominative) → Die Bevölkerung
Learners often confuse the gender. It is feminine, so the nominative article is 'die'.
Using 'Bevölkerung' for a small group of friends. → Meine Freunde / Die Leute
'Bevölkerung' is too formal and large-scale for small, personal groups.
Pronouncing 'v' as 'v'. → Pronouncing 'v' as 'f'.
In this word, the 'v' follows the Germanic rule and sounds like an 'f'.
Die gesamten Bevölkerung. → Die gesamte Bevölkerung.
Because it is singular, the adjective ending for a feminine nominative noun with a definite article is '-e'.

Tipps

The -ung Rule

Always remember that nouns ending in -ung are feminine. This will help you with 'die Bevölkerung' and hundreds of other words.

Compound Power

Learn words like 'Bevölkerungsdichte'. If you know the root 'Bevölkerung', you can guess the meaning of many long German words.

Sound Professional

Use 'Bevölkerung' instead of 'Leute' when you are writing a formal letter or giving a presentation. It sounds much more educated.

News Trigger

When you hear 'Bevölkerung' on the news, get ready for numbers or statistics. It's a signal word for demographic data.

Genitive Match

Practice the phrase 'der Bevölkerung'. It's the genitive form and is used in 50% of the sentences containing this word.

The F-Sound

Keep the 'v' as an 'f'. If you pronounce it like a 'v', you'll sound like you're speaking English with German words.

Context Matters

In Germany, 'Bevölkerung' is a very safe word. Avoid using 'Volk' unless you are 100% sure of the political context.

Lego People

Visualize the population as a single mass, not individuals. This helps you remember to use the singular verb 'ist'.

Prefix Check

The prefix 'be-' often indicates that a verb is being applied to an object. 'Bevölkern' means to put 'Volk' onto a land.

Stress the Middle

Stress the 'völ' part. Be-VÖL-ke-rung. This rhythm is essential for being understood by native speakers.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'BE-FOLK-ER-UNG'. The 'FOLK' (people) are 'BE'-ing counted in an 'UNG' (process).

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant map of a country made out of thousands of tiny Lego people. That collective mass is 'die Bevölkerung'.

Word Web

Volk Land Stadt Zahl Mensch Wachstum Staat Einwohner

Herausforderung

Try to find the 'Bevölkerungszahl' (population number) of your favorite German city and write a sentence using it.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Middle High German word 'volc', which meant 'crowd' or 'army'. The prefix 'be-' was added to form the verb 'bevölkern' (to populate), and the suffix '-ung' was added to create the abstract noun.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The process of populating an area or the state of being populated.

Germanic (Indo-European)

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful with the root 'Volk', as it was heavily co-opted by the Nazi regime. 'Bevölkerung' is the neutral, preferred term in modern administration.

English speakers often use 'people' or 'residents' where Germans prefer the more formal 'Bevölkerung' in public discourse.

The 'Bevölkerungspyramide' is a standard chart in German schools. The artwork 'Der Bevölkerung' by Hans Haacke in the Reichstag building in Berlin. Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) reports.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

News/Politics

Die Bevölkerung wurde informiert.
Die Mehrheit der Bevölkerung...
Politik für die Bevölkerung machen.
Stimmung in der Bevölkerung.

Geography/Statistics

Die Bevölkerungsdichte beträgt...
Stark besiedelte Gebiete.
Bevölkerungswachstum messen.
Verteilung der Bevölkerung.

Emergency/Safety

Warnung an die Bevölkerung.
Die Bevölkerung schützen.
Evakuierung der Bevölkerung.
Informationen für die Bevölkerung.

History

Die historische Entwicklung der Bevölkerung.
Wanderung der Bevölkerung.
Zusammensetzung der Bevölkerung im 19. Jahrhundert.
Verluste in der Bevölkerung.

Social Science

Soziale Schichten der Bevölkerung.
Bedürfnisse der Bevölkerung.
Einstellung der Bevölkerung zu...
Verhalten der Bevölkerung.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Wie hat sich die Bevölkerung in deiner Stadt in den letzten Jahren verändert?"

"Glaubst du, dass die Bevölkerung auf der Erde zu schnell wächst?"

"Was ist das wichtigste Problem für die Bevölkerung in deinem Land?"

"Ist die Bevölkerung in deiner Heimat eher jung oder eher alt?"

"Wie reagiert die Bevölkerung bei euch auf neue Gesetze?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Beschreibe die Bevölkerung in deinem Viertel. Wer lebt dort? Was machen die Menschen?

Denke über das Wort 'Bevölkerung' nach. Fühlst du dich als Teil der Bevölkerung deiner Stadt?

Welche Herausforderungen hat die Bevölkerung in Deutschland deiner Meinung nach?

Stell dir vor, du bist Politiker. Was würdest du für die Bevölkerung tun?

Wie würde eine ideale Bevölkerung in einer perfekten Welt aussehen?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, in 99% of cases, it is used in the singular. You only use the plural 'Bevölkerungen' when comparing the populations of different countries or groups in a scientific context.

Usually no. For animals, the scientific term 'Population' is used. 'Bevölkerung' is specifically for humans.

'Bevölkerung' is formal and refers to a demographic group (population). 'Leute' is informal and refers to individuals (people).

Because it ends in '-ung'. In German, almost all nouns ending in '-ung' are feminine.

The word is 'Bevölkerungswachstum'. It is a compound of 'Bevölkerung' and 'Wachstum' (growth).

Yes, it is extremely common in news, school, and any discussion about society or geography.

Not exactly. 'Nation' is a political/cultural concept. 'Bevölkerung' is a demographic count of everyone in an area.

No. Since it's a collective singular noun, you say 'eine große Bevölkerung' (a large population).

It refers to a social layer or class within the population, like the middle class.

No, it is pronounced like an 'f'. It sounds like 'be-föl-ke-rung'.

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