der Stickstoff, null
nitrogen
Ein Gas in der Luft, das man nicht sehen oder riechen kann. Es macht den größten Teil der Luft aus.
Definition & meaning
Stickstoff means nitrogen, the chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. In its common elemental form, it is a colorless, odorless gas made of molecules containing two nitrogen atoms (N₂). It makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere.
Nitrogen is essential to living things: it is found in proteins and DNA. Although nitrogen gas is not poisonous, it does not support breathing or combustion; in high concentrations, it can displace oxygen and cause suffocation.
Grammar & word origin
Stickstoff is a masculine noun: der Stickstoff. It is generally used as a mass noun and has no plural in its usual chemical sense.
The word combines stick-, associated with “suffocating,” and Stoff, meaning “substance” or “material.” The name reflects the fact that nitrogen gas cannot sustain breathing or burning.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Nitrogen — a rare, technical or international alternative name for the element; Stickstoff is the standard German term.
- There is no direct antonym. Oxygen is sometimes contrasted with nitrogen because oxygen supports breathing and combustion, but it is not an antonym.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Stickstoff spielt eine wichtige Rolle in der Chemie.noun
Nitrogen plays an important role in chemistry.
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