“Relation” vs. “Relationship”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “relation” and “relationship”

  • The term relation is more general and can refer to any type of connection, while relationship has a more personal connotation and usually refers to an emotional connection between people.
  • A relation can be measured objectively, while a relationship is often subjective but can also be objective.
  • Relations can be more formal or professional, while relationships are often more intimate and emotional, although not always the case.
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What is the definition of “relation” and “relationship”?

Relation
  • Relation refers to a connection or association between two or more things or people.
  • It can be used in different contexts such as math, physics, chemistry, and social sciences.
  • It can be positive or negative, direct or indirect, and can be measured based on different criteria.
Relationship
  • Relationship refers to the way two or more people or things are connected or the emotional or personal connection between people.
  • It is often used to describe romantic, familial, or friendship connections but can also be used in math and science.
  • Relationships can be positive or negative, healthy or toxic, and easy or difficult to maintain.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Relationship” is the more popular variant on the web.
Relation
1,140,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The relation between the two events is still unclear.
  2. The government is making efforts to improve its relation with neighboring countries.
  3. The relation between a person's diet and their overall health is well-studied.
More popular
Relationship
2,330,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. My relationship with my sister has improved after we started talking more.
  2. Strong communication is key in maintaining a healthy romantic relationship.
  3. The relationship between the two variables is unclear.
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