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B1 noun #6,000 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

Nebenwirkungen

Side effects; plural of Nebenwirkung.

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'Nebenwirkungen' means 'side effects.' You might see this word on a box of medicine. Think of it as 'extra things' that happen when you take a pill. For example, if you take a pill for a cold, and you feel sleepy, that sleepiness is a 'Nebenwirkung.' It is a long word, but it is just 'neben' (next to) and 'Wirkungen' (effects). Just remember it is plural! You will mostly hear it from a doctor or see it in a pharmacy. At this level, you don't need to use it in complex sentences. Just knowing what it means when you see it on a label is enough. It is a feminine word (die), so in plural it is 'die Nebenwirkungen.' If you have a headache from a pill, you can say: 'Ich habe Nebenwirkungen.' This is simple and clear. Don't worry about the long pronunciation; just break it down: Ne-ben-wir-kun-gen.
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At the A2 level, you should be able to recognize 'Nebenwirkungen' in basic health conversations. You will encounter it when talking to a doctor or pharmacist. You should know that it usually refers to things like 'Kopfschmerzen' (headaches) or 'Müdigkeit' (tiredness) that come with medicine. You can use it with the verb 'haben' (to have). For example: 'Hat diese Tablette Nebenwirkungen?' (Does this tablet have side effects?). You might also see it in short texts about health. It is important to know that in Germany, every medicine has a list of these. You should also understand the plural form. Most of the time, we talk about 'Nebenwirkungen' in the plural because there is usually more than one possibility. If you are describing how you feel, you could say: 'Ich glaube, das sind Nebenwirkungen von dem Medikament.' This shows you understand the connection between the cause and the effect. It's a useful word for your 'health' vocabulary set.
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At the B1 level, you should use 'Nebenwirkungen' more confidently and understand its structure. As a compound noun (neben + Wirkungen), it follows standard German rules. You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of a treatment. For example: 'Ich möchte das Medikament nehmen, aber ich habe Angst vor den Nebenwirkungen.' (I want to take the medicine, but I'm afraid of the side effects.) Notice the use of 'vor' + dative plural. You should also be familiar with the common phrase heard in ads: 'Zu Risiken und Nebenwirkungen...' This level requires you to move beyond just 'having' side effects to 'noticing' or 'experiencing' them. You can use verbs like 'bemerken' (to notice) or 'auftreten' (to occur). 'Welche Nebenwirkungen können auftreten?' is a very natural B1 question. You should also start to see the word used in non-medical contexts, like the 'side effects' of a new job or a life change, though medical usage remains the most frequent.
At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'Nebenwirkungen' in more formal and precise ways. You should distinguish it from 'Wechselwirkungen' (interactions) and 'Folgeschäden' (long-term damage). You can use more advanced verbs like 'verursachen' (to cause), 'hervorrufen' (to evoke/cause), or 'lindern' (to alleviate). In a professional or academic discussion, you might talk about 'unerwünschte Nebenwirkungen' (undesired side effects) or 'schwerwiegende Nebenwirkungen' (severe side effects). You should be able to read a 'Packungsbeilage' (package insert) and understand the statistical likelihood of certain effects (e.g., 'gelegentliche Nebenwirkungen'). Your grammar should be precise, correctly using the genitive case to link the effect to the drug: 'Die Nebenwirkungen dieses Arzneimittels sind gut erforscht.' You might also use the word metaphorically in discussions about social or economic policy, describing the unintended consequences of a specific action or law with more nuance and complexity.
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At the C1 level, 'Nebenwirkungen' becomes a tool for sophisticated analysis. You should be able to discuss the pharmacological mechanisms that lead to certain 'Nebenwirkungen' or debate the ethics of pharmaceutical testing. You will use the word in complex sentence structures, perhaps using the passive voice: 'Die Nebenwirkungen wurden in der klinischen Studie ausführlich dokumentiert.' You should also be comfortable with the metaphorical use of the word in high-level discourse. For instance, discussing the 'gesellschaftliche Nebenwirkungen' (societal side effects) of digitalization or urbanization. At this level, you should also recognize related technical terms like 'Begleiterscheinung' and know when to use them for stylistic variety. You are expected to understand the nuance that 'Nebenwirkungen' are not inherently negative in a strictly scientific sense—they are simply secondary—but that in common usage, they almost always imply a drawback. Your ability to use the word in various registers, from a doctor's consultation to a formal presentation, should be seamless.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'Nebenwirkungen' is complete. You understand the subtle irony or humor when the word is used in literary or highly idiomatic contexts. You can use it to dissect complex systems, where every intervention has a primary 'Wirkung' and a web of 'Nebenwirkungen' and 'Wechselwirkungen'. You might encounter the word in philosophical texts discussing the 'Dialektik der Aufklärung' or in economic treatises regarding 'Externalitäten'. Your use of the word is precise, elegant, and contextually perfect. You can debate the regulatory requirements for 'Nebenwirkungsmeldungen' (side effect reports) or discuss the historical development of the word within the German language. You are also aware of how the concept of 'Nebenwirkung' plays into the German cultural psyche, specifically the 'German Angst' regarding health and safety. You can use the term to describe the 'unintended consequences' of historical events with the same ease as describing a rash from a new skin cream. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item, but a conceptual tool in your advanced German repertoire.
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Exemples

Nebenwirkungen en 30 secondes

  • Nebenwirkungen means 'side effects' in German, referring to unintended results of a treatment or action.
  • It is a feminine plural noun (die Nebenwirkungen) and is widely used in medical and pharmaceutical contexts.
  • The word is a compound of 'neben' (beside) and 'Wirkungen' (effects), implying secondary consequences.
  • Commonly heard in German drug advertisements as part of a mandatory legal disclaimer for safety.

The German noun Nebenwirkungen is the plural form of Nebenwirkung. At its core, it translates to 'side effects.' In a linguistic sense, it is a compound noun formed from 'neben' (beside, next to, or secondary) and 'Wirkungen' (effects or impacts). While the term is most frequently encountered in medical and pharmaceutical contexts, its utility extends into the realms of economics, politics, and daily interpersonal relationships to describe unintended or secondary consequences of an action.

Medical Context
In Germany, medical transparency is highly regulated. When you purchase medication, the 'Packungsbeilage' (package insert) will always have a prominent section titled 'Welche Nebenwirkungen sind möglich?' This refers to the physiological responses that occur in addition to the intended therapeutic effect.

Das neue Medikament hat leider starke Nebenwirkungen wie Kopfschmerzen und Übelkeit.

Beyond the doctor's office, Germans use this word to discuss the 'spillover effects' of decisions. For instance, if a city builds a new stadium, the 'Nebenwirkungen' might include increased traffic or noise pollution for the local residents. It implies that while the primary goal (the stadium) was achieved, other secondary results occurred simultaneously. This nuance is important: 'Nebenwirkungen' are not always negative, though in common parlance, they usually refer to undesirable outcomes.

Metaphorical Usage
You might hear a politician say, 'Die wirtschaftlichen Nebenwirkungen dieser Reform wurden unterschätzt.' This means the secondary economic impacts of the reform were not fully considered.

Erfolg hat oft die Nebenwirkung, dass man weniger Zeit für die Familie hat.

Understanding this word requires recognizing that 'Wirkung' is the primary action. Therefore, anything 'neben' (beside) it is secondary. This logic is consistent across the German language, where the prefix 'neben-' creates many useful words like 'Nebensache' (a minor matter) or 'Nebenjob' (a side job). For a learner at the B1 level, mastering 'Nebenwirkungen' is a gateway to discussing health, consequences, and complex systems of cause and effect.

Linguistic Structure
The word is feminine (die Nebenwirkung) and stays feminine in the plural (die Nebenwirkungen). In the dative plural, it becomes 'den Nebenwirkungen'.

Haben Sie Angst vor den Nebenwirkungen?

Jedes wirksame Medikament kann auch Nebenwirkungen haben.

Using Nebenwirkungen correctly involves pairing it with the right verbs and prepositions. In a medical setting, the most common verb used is 'haben' (to have) or 'verursachen' (to cause). For example, 'Das Antibiotikum verursacht oft Nebenwirkungen.' If you are the one experiencing them, you might say 'Ich leide unter den Nebenwirkungen' (I am suffering from the side effects). Note the use of the preposition 'unter' followed by the dative case.

Common Verbs
auftreten (to occur), lindern (to alleviate), vermeiden (to avoid), riskieren (to risk), untersuchen (to investigate).

Bei dieser Therapie können leichte Nebenwirkungen auftreten.

When describing the severity of the side effects, you can use adjectives like 'schwerwiegend' (severe), 'leicht' (mild), 'unangenehm' (unpleasant), or 'bekannt' (known). A doctor might ask you, 'Haben Sie irgendwelche bekannten Nebenwirkungen bemerkt?' (Have you noticed any known side effects?). In this context, 'bemerken' (to notice) or 'feststellen' (to determine/notice) are professional choices.

Scientific Precision
In clinical reports, you might see 'unerwünschte Nebenwirkungen' (undesired side effects). Although 'Nebenwirkung' usually implies something undesired, adding 'unerwünscht' makes it formally explicit.

Wir müssen die Nebenwirkungen genau dokumentieren.

In everyday speech, you can use it to talk about the downsides of a situation. 'Die Beförderung ist toll, aber die langen Arbeitszeiten sind eine negative Nebenwirkung.' Here, it acts as a synonym for 'Nachteil' (disadvantage) but with a more sophisticated, analytical tone. It suggests that the disadvantage is intrinsically linked to the advantage.

Gibt es bei dieser Behandlung ein Risiko für langfristige Nebenwirkungen?

Prepositional Usage
Use 'von' or 'bei' to link the side effect to the cause. 'Nebenwirkungen von Aspirin' or 'Nebenwirkungen bei einer Chemotherapie'.

Man sollte sich über die möglichen Nebenwirkungen informieren.

Welche Nebenwirkungen sind am häufigsten?

The most iconic place to hear Nebenwirkungen is on German television and radio. Pharmaceutical companies are legally required to include a specific disclaimer at the end of every advertisement for over-the-counter drugs. It is spoken so quickly that it has become a bit of a linguistic meme in Germany. The phrase 'Zu Risiken und Nebenwirkungen...' is recognized by almost every native speaker from a young age.

At the Pharmacy (Apotheke)
When you pick up a prescription, the pharmacist (Apotheker) will often ask: 'Kennen Sie die Nebenwirkungen dieses Mittels?' or advise you: 'Falls Nebenwirkungen auftreten, setzen Sie das Medikament ab.'

Der Apotheker warnte mich vor den Nebenwirkungen.

In a broader societal context, the word appears frequently in news reports concerning new laws or economic policies. Journalists might analyze the 'soziale Nebenwirkungen' (social side effects) of a new tax or the 'ökologischen Nebenwirkungen' (ecological side effects) of a construction project. It provides a formal way to discuss the complexities of policy-making where every action has a reaction.

In the News
'Die Nebenwirkungen der Globalisierung sind in ländlichen Regionen spürbar.' (The side effects of globalization are noticeable in rural regions.)

Haben diese Tabletten starke Nebenwirkungen?

You will also find the word in academic journals, psychology textbooks, and business reports. It is a 'high-value' word because it sounds professional and objective. Instead of saying 'something bad happened because of this,' saying 'there were Nebenwirkungen' sounds more analytical. In self-help or lifestyle discussions, people might talk about the 'Nebenwirkungen' of social media use, such as decreased attention spans or sleep issues.

Die Forschung konzentriert sich nun auf die Nebenwirkungen.

Conversational Usage
Friends might use it jokingly: 'Das kalte Wetter ist eine Nebenwirkung vom Winter in Berlin.' (The cold weather is a side effect of winter in Berlin.)

Ohne Nebenwirkungen wäre die Heilung einfacher.

Diese Nebenwirkungen sind völlig normal.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing Nebenwirkungen with Wechselwirkungen. While they sound similar, they mean very different things in a medical context. 'Nebenwirkungen' are the effects of a single drug on the body. 'Wechselwirkungen' are 'interactions'—how two different drugs react with each other when taken simultaneously. Using the wrong one at the pharmacy could lead to confusion about your treatment plan.

Confusion with 'Folgen'
Learners often use 'Folgen' (consequences) when they should use 'Nebenwirkungen'. 'Folgen' is a very broad term for any result. 'Nebenwirkungen' specifically implies that the result is secondary and often undesirable, accompanying a primary action.

Falsch: Was sind die Wechselwirkungen dieses einen Medikaments? (Incorrect if referring to side effects.)

Another error involves the singular vs. plural usage. In English, we often say 'Are there any side effects?' In German, it is almost always plural unless you are referring to one specific, identified effect. Using 'Nebenwirkung' (singular) when you mean 'side effects' (general) sounds slightly unnatural. Additionally, pay attention to the plural declension. In the dative case (after 'mit', 'von', 'unter', etc.), you must add an 'n' if it's not already there. Luckily, 'Nebenwirkungen' already ends in 'n', so it doesn't change further in the dative plural.

Preposition Pitfalls
English speakers often say 'side effects *of*'. In German, you can use 'von' (+ dative) or the genitive case. Avoid using 'für'. For example, 'Nebenwirkungen für das Medikament' is incorrect; use 'Nebenwirkungen des Medikaments'.

Richtig: Die Nebenwirkungen der Impfung sind minimal.

Finally, be careful with the verb 'reagieren'. You don't 'react side effects.' You 'have' side effects, or your body 'reacts to the medicine with side effects' (Der Körper reagiert auf das Mittel mit Nebenwirkungen). The distinction between the action of the drug and the reaction of the body is important for clear communication with medical professionals.

Achten Sie auf mögliche Nebenwirkungen nach der Einnahme.

Spelling Note
Ensure you include the 'en' at the end. 'Nebenwirkung' is singular; 'Nebenwirkungen' is plural. Since we usually talk about them in general, the plural is the default.

Welche Nebenwirkungen hat dieses Schmerzmittel?

Gibt es Nebenwirkungen, die ich wissen sollte?

While Nebenwirkungen is the standard term, several other words can be used depending on the context and the level of formality you wish to achieve. In more academic or medical writing, you might encounter Begleiterscheinungen. This word literally means 'accompanying appearances' or 'concomitant symptoms'. It is broader than 'Nebenwirkungen' and can refer to any phenomenon that occurs alongside another, not just the effects of a drug.

Begleiterscheinung vs. Nebenwirkung
A 'Nebenwirkung' is specifically an effect caused by an agent. A 'Begleiterscheinung' is a more general symptom or phenomenon that happens at the same time. For example, fatigue is a 'Begleiterscheinung' of the flu, but it's a 'Nebenwirkung' of a sleeping pill.

Müdigkeit ist eine häufige Begleiterscheinung dieser Krankheit.

Another alternative is Folgeschäden. This term is much more serious and refers to 'consequential damages' or 'long-term damage'. While a 'Nebenwirkung' might be temporary (like a slight headache), 'Folgeschäden' implies permanent or long-lasting negative impacts. In legal or insurance contexts, 'Folgeschäden' is the preferred term to discuss liability.

Synonyms for Daily Life
Nachteile (disadvantages), Begleiteffekte (accompanying effects), unerwünschte Resultate (undesired results).

Das Projekt hatte einige negative Begleiteffekte.

In a very informal setting, you might just say 'der Haken' (the catch). For instance, 'Das Angebot ist super, aber der Haken sind die Nebenwirkungen.' (The offer is great, but the catch is the side effects.) Understanding these synonyms allows you to tailor your speech to your audience, moving from the precise medical term 'Nebenwirkungen' to the more descriptive 'Begleiterscheinungen' or the colloquial 'Haken'.

Man muss die Auswirkungen genau abwägen.

Technical Nuances
Reaktion (reaction) - often used when the body responds immediately. Symptom (symptom) - used for the signs of a disease, not usually for the effects of a drug.

Die allergische Reaktion war eine schwere Nebenwirkung.

Wir untersuchen die Wechselwirkungen mit anderen Stoffen.

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Exemples par niveau

1

Die Tabletten haben keine Nebenwirkungen.

The tablets have no side effects.

'keine' agrees with the plural 'Nebenwirkungen'.

2

Was sind die Nebenwirkungen?

What are the side effects?

Plural 'sind' is used here.

3

Ich habe Angst vor Nebenwirkungen.

I am afraid of side effects.

'vor' takes the dative case.

4

Gibt es Nebenwirkungen?

Are there side effects?

'es gibt' always takes the accusative.

5

Diese Nebenwirkungen sind normal.

These side effects are normal.

'diese' is the plural demonstrative pronoun.

6

Lesen Sie die Nebenwirkungen.

Read the side effects.

Imperative form of 'lesen'.

7

Die Nebenwirkungen sind klein.

The side effects are small (mild).

Simple subject-verb-adjective structure.

8

Ich sehe keine Nebenwirkungen.

I see no side effects.

Direct object in the accusative plural.

1

Hat dieses Medikament starke Nebenwirkungen?

Does this medication have strong side effects?

Adjective 'starke' in accusative plural.

2

Ich fühle mich schlecht wegen der Nebenwirkungen.

I feel bad because of the side effects.

'wegen' usually takes the genitive (der).

3

Der Arzt erklärt die Nebenwirkungen.

The doctor explains the side effects.

Present tense of 'erklären'.

4

Kopfschmerzen sind bekannte Nebenwirkungen.

Headaches are known side effects.

'bekannte' is an attributive adjective.

5

Können Sie mir die Nebenwirkungen sagen?

Can you tell me the side effects?

Modal verb 'können' with 'sagen'.

6

Ich möchte ein Mittel ohne Nebenwirkungen.

I would like a remedy without side effects.

'ohne' takes the accusative case.

7

Die Nebenwirkungen treten selten auf.

The side effects occur rarely.

Separable verb 'auftreten' (treten ... auf).

8

Warum hat das Medikament Nebenwirkungen?

Why does the medicine have side effects?

Interrogative sentence structure.

1

Man muss die Packungsbeilage wegen der Nebenwirkungen lesen.

One must read the package insert because of the side effects.

'wegen' + genitive plural 'der Nebenwirkungen'.

2

Obwohl es Nebenwirkungen hat, hilft das Medikament sehr gut.

Although it has side effects, the medicine helps very well.

Conjunction 'obwohl' triggers verb-final order.

3

Haben Sie schon einmal Nebenwirkungen bemerkt?

Have you ever noticed side effects?

Perfect tense with 'bemerkt'.

4

Diese Therapie ist wirksam, aber die Nebenwirkungen sind unangenehm.

This therapy is effective, but the side effects are unpleasant.

Adjective 'unangenehm' describing the plural noun.

5

Informieren Sie Ihren Arzt über alle Nebenwirkungen.

Inform your doctor about all side effects.

Imperative 'informieren' + 'über' (+ accusative).

6

Welche Nebenwirkungen sind am gefährlichsten?

Which side effects are the most dangerous?

Superlative 'am gefährlichsten'.

7

Ich leide unter den Nebenwirkungen der neuen Tabletten.

I am suffering from the side effects of the new tablets.

'leiden unter' + dative plural.

8

Es ist wichtig, die Nebenwirkungen nicht zu ignorieren.

It is important not to ignore the side effects.

Infinitive construction with 'zu'.

1

Die klinische Studie untersuchte die langfristigen Nebenwirkungen.

The clinical study investigated the long-term side effects.

Preterite of 'untersuchen'.

2

Trotz der Nebenwirkungen wurde die Behandlung fortgesetzt.

Despite the side effects, the treatment was continued.

'Trotz' + genitive; passive voice 'wurde fortgesetzt'.

3

Die Nebenwirkungen können die Lebensqualität erheblich einschränken.

The side effects can significantly restrict the quality of life.

Modal verb with infinitive 'einschränken'.

4

Es gibt kaum ein wirksames Medikament ohne Nebenwirkungen.

There is hardly an effective medicine without side effects.

'kaum' means 'hardly'.

5

Der Patient klagte über unerwartete Nebenwirkungen.

The patient complained about unexpected side effects.

'klagen über' + accusative.

6

Die Pharmaindustrie muss über alle Nebenwirkungen aufklären.

The pharmaceutical industry must provide information about all side effects.

'aufklären über' means to enlighten/inform about.

7

Diese Nebenwirkungen sind im Vergleich zum Nutzen minimal.

These side effects are minimal compared to the benefit.

'im Vergleich zu' + dative.

8

Wissenschaftler suchen nach Wegen, die Nebenwirkungen zu reduzieren.

Scientists are looking for ways to reduce the side effects.

'suchen nach' + dative.

1

Die sozioökonomischen Nebenwirkungen der Pandemie sind noch nicht vollständig absehbar.

The socio-economic side effects of the pandemic are not yet fully foreseeable.

Metaphorical use of 'Nebenwirkungen'.

2

Eine sorgfältige Abwägung zwischen Heilungschancen und Nebenwirkungen ist essenziell.

A careful weighing between chances of cure and side effects is essential.

Nominalization 'Abwägung' (weighing/balancing).

3

Bestimmte Nebenwirkungen resultieren aus der Interaktion mit anderen Substanzen.

Certain side effects result from the interaction with other substances.

'resultieren aus' + dative.

4

Die Dokumentation von Nebenwirkungen unterliegt strengen gesetzlichen Vorschriften.

The documentation of side effects is subject to strict legal regulations.

'unterliegen' + dative.

5

Oft werden Nebenwirkungen von Patienten gar nicht mit dem Medikament in Verbindung gebracht.

Often, side effects are not associated with the medication by patients at all.

Passive voice with 'in Verbindung bringen'.

6

Die Erforschung neuer Wirkstoffe zielt darauf ab, Nebenwirkungen zu minimieren.

The research of new active ingredients aims to minimize side effects.

'zielen darauf ab' + infinitive clause.

7

Gelegentlich können psychologische Nebenwirkungen die physischen Symptome überlagern.

Occasionally, psychological side effects can overshadow the physical symptoms.

Adverb 'gelegentlich' (occasionally).

8

Die Komplexität der Nebenwirkungen erforderte eine Anpassung der Dosierung.

The complexity of the side effects required an adjustment of the dosage.

Genitive 'der Nebenwirkungen' modifying 'Komplexität'.

1

Die dialektische Betrachtung technologischen Fortschritts offenbart stets unvermeidbare Nebenwirkungen.

The dialectical consideration of technological progress always reveals unavoidable side effects.

High-level vocabulary like 'dialektisch' and 'offenbart'.

2

In der Welt der Hochfinanz können kleinste Zinsänderungen fatale Nebenwirkungen auf globaler Ebene haben.

In the world of high finance, the smallest interest rate changes can have fatal side effects on a global level.

Adjective 'fatale' in plural.

3

Kritiker bemängeln, dass die kulturellen Nebenwirkungen der Gentrifizierung oft ignoriert werden.

Critics complain that the cultural side effects of gentrification are often ignored.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

4

Die Pharmakovigilanz befasst sich systematisch mit der Überwachung von Nebenwirkungen nach der Marktzulassung.

Pharmacovigilance systematically deals with the monitoring of side effects after market approval.

Technical term 'Pharmakovigilanz'.

5

Jede tiefgreifende gesellschaftliche Transformation bringt unvorhersehbare Nebenwirkungen mit sich.

Every profound social transformation brings unpredictable side effects with it.

Idiomatic 'mit sich bringen'.

6

Die kognitiven Nebenwirkungen der ständigen digitalen Reizüberflutung sind Gegenstand aktueller Studien.

The cognitive side effects of constant digital sensory overload are the subject of current studies.

Genitive construction 'Gegenstand aktueller Studien'.

7

Die feine Nuancierung zwischen erwünschter Wirkung und toxischer Nebenwirkung ist das Ziel der Toxikologie.

The fine nuance between desired effect and toxic side effect is the goal of toxicology.

Singular 'Nebenwirkung' used here for contrast.

8

Man darf die psychologischen Nebenwirkungen einer langandauernden Isolation keinesfalls unterschätzen.

One must under no circumstances underestimate the psychological side effects of long-lasting isolation.

Modal verb 'darf' with 'keinesfalls'.

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