Die Ambivalenz dieser Entwicklung zeigt sich darin

You use this phrase to introduce a specific example of a contradiction. After saying darin, you usually follow up with a clause starting with dass. For example, you might say it shows itself in the fact that we have more technology but less free time. It functions as a bridge between a big observation and a specific proof. Think of it as the 'Exhibit A' of your argument.

Use this when you want to sound sharp and analytical. It is perfect for university seminars or high-level business meetings. You can use it when discussing politics, technology, or social changes. It also works well in serious documentaries or newspaper editorials. If you use this at a dinner party, people will assume you read a lot of philosophy.

Avoid this phrase when the situation is simple. If you are just choosing between chocolate or vanilla, it's too heavy. Don't use it in a loud bar while shouting over music. It is far too formal for a quick text to a roommate about doing the dishes. Using it for trivial matters makes you sound like a parody of a professor. Keep it for topics that actually have depth.

Germans love a good 'Dialektik'—the idea that every thesis has an antithesis. This phrase is rooted in the German academic tradition of critical thinking. It reflects a cultural tendency to avoid oversimplification. In Germany, being 'ambivalent' isn't seen as being indecisive. Instead, it is seen as being realistic about the world's complexity. It’s a very 'Bildungsbürgertum' (educated middle class) way to speak.

You can swap out Entwicklung for other nouns. Try Die Ambivalenz dieser Situation or Die Ambivalenz seines Verhaltens. You can also change the verb to äußert sich (expresses itself). If you want to be even more dramatic, use wird deutlich (becomes clear). These small tweaks help you adapt to different contexts while keeping the intellectual punch.