der  Atemzug

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaːtəmˌtsuːk/

🌬️ What does "der Atemzug" mean?

The German word der Atemzug (masculine) refers to a single act of breathing in and out - one inhalation and exhalation cycle. It's the basic unit of breathing.

Figuratively, it can also mean a very short moment or instant, often associated with tension or relief.

There's only one article for this word: der Atemzug.

• Literal meaning: A single instance of inhaling and exhaling air.
• Figurative meaning: A very brief period, often emotionally charged.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Atemzug

"Atemzug" is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Er nahm einen tiefen Atemzug, bevor er sprach.
   (He took a deep breath before he spoke.)
2. Die Stille war so dicht, man hörte jeden Atemzug im Raum.
   (The silence was so thick, you could hear every breath in the room.)
3. Sie genoss jeden Atemzug der frischen Bergluft.
   (She enjoyed every breath of the fresh mountain air.)
4. In einem letzten Atemzug erreichte er das Ziel.
   (Figuratively: In a final breath/moment, he reached the goal.)
5. Zwischen den Atemzügen spürte sie ihr Herz klopfen.
   (Between breaths, she felt her heart pounding.)

💡 How to use "der Atemzug"?

"Der Atemzug" is frequently used in contexts related to biology, medicine, sports, and relaxation when discussing the physical act of breathing.

• Biology/Medicine: Describing lung function, measuring respiratory rate (number of Atemzüge per minute).
• Sports: Conscious breathing for performance enhancement or recovery.
• Relaxation/Meditation: Focusing on the Atemzug for calming down.
• Figuratively: Often in literary or emotional contexts to express tension, relief, or the brevity of a moment ("bis zum letzten Atemzug kämpfen" - to fight until the last breath, "nur einen Atemzug entfernt sein" - to be just a breath away).

Potential for Confusion? 🚨

Sometimes "Atemzug" is confused with "Atmung". "Die Atmung" refers to the entire physiological process of gas exchange (respiration), while "der Atemzug" is just a single inhalation and exhalation.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Atemzug"

Article Mnemonic: Think of "der Zug" (the train) 🚆. An Atemzug is like a little 'train' (Zug) of air moving in and out of your lungs. Many modes of transport like 'der Zug' are masculine in German, so it's der Atemzug.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you 'pull' or 'draw' (Zug means pull/draw/draught) air (Atem means breath) into your lungs. Each single pull/draw of air is an Atemzug.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but Different Terms

• Die Atmung: (Respiration, breathing) The entire process of breathing, not just one cycle.
• Der Atem: (Breath) The air that is breathed, or the act of breathing in general (e.g., "außer Atem sein" - to be out of breath).

😂 A Little Joke about Atemzug

Warum hat der Taucher beim Kartenspielen gewonnen?
Er hatte einen langen Atemzug und konnte die besten Bluffs machen!

(Why did the diver win at cards?
He had a long breath (implying patience/endurance, or literally holding breath) and could make the best bluffs!)

📜 A Poem about the Atemzug

Ein jeder Atemzug, so leis,
Bringt Leben uns auf seine Weis'.
Ein Hauch, der kommt, ein Hauch, der geht,
Solang das Herz im Körper schlägt.
Mal tief und ruhig, mal ganz schnell,
Ist er des Lebens lichte Quell'.

(Each breath, so soft and low,
Brings life to us, helps us to grow.
A whiff that comes, a whiff that goes,
As long as the heart within us knows.
Sometimes deep and calm, sometimes fast,
It is life's bright source, meant to last.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme und gehe, ganz ohne Töne,
bin lebensnotwendig für Töchter und Söhne.
Mal kurz, mal lang, mal tief, mal flach,
halte dich stets am Leben wach.

Was bin ich?

(I come and go, without a sound,
essential for daughters and sons all around.
Sometimes short, sometimes long, sometimes deep, sometimes shallow,
I always keep you alive and follow.

What am I?)

Solution: Der Atemzug (The breath/a single breath)

🧩 More about the Word "Atemzug"

Word Composition

The word "Atemzug" is a compound noun, formed from:

• Der Atem: Breath; the air breathed; the process of breathing.
• Der Zug: Here in the sense of 'pull', 'draw', or 'movement'.

So, it literally describes the 'drawing of breath'.

Idioms

• Den letzten Atemzug tun: (To take one's last breath) To die.
• Etwas in einem Atemzug tun/sagen: (To do/say something in one breath) To do/say something very quickly or without pausing.
• Bis zum letzten Atemzug kämpfen: (To fight until the last breath) To not give up, to fight until the very end.