der Stau, -s
traffic jam
Eine Situation, in der viele Fahrzeuge auf der Straße stehen oder sich nur sehr langsam bewegen, weil es zu voll ist.
The German word "Stau" is a noun that means "traffic jam" or "congestion". It is derived from the verb "stauen" which means "to dam" or "to back up". "Stau" is often used to describe a situation where vehicles are unable to move freely on a road due to heavy traffic or obstructions.
Similar words in German include:
- "Verkehrsinfarkt" (literally "traffic heart attack"), which also refers to severe traffic congestion.
- "Verstopfung" (congestion), which can also refer to a blockage in general but is commonly known for describing a blockage in medical terms (constipation).
- "Stockung" (stoppage), which refers to a break or standstill in the flow but can be broader, not solely related to traffic.
The main differences are in the contexts where these terms are used. "Stau" specifically refers to traffic congestion, whereas "Verkehrsinfarkt" is a related, more descriptive term used for severe traffic jams. "Verstopfung" is usually related to medical or other types of blockage contexts, and "Stockung" is a more general term for any kind of stoppage or interruption in flow.
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Examples
Der Stau beginnt schon am frühen Morgen.noun
The traffic jam starts early in the morning.
Im Stau stehen wir seit einer Stunde.noun
We have been standing in a traffic jam for an hour.
Der Stau zieht sich über Kilometer hinweg.noun
The traffic jam stretches over kilometers.
Wegen des Staus kommt der Bus zu spät.noun
The bus is late because of the traffic jam.
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