der  Durchzug

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdʊʁçtsuːk/

🌬️ What is "der Durchzug"?

Der Durchzug means a draught or draft (US English), an air current that usually occurs when opposite windows or doors are open in a room or building. It's often perceived as unpleasant, especially when it's cold.

In German culture, the term is strongly associated with the idea that you can catch a cold from it (even though medically, viruses are the main culprits!). 🤧

There's also a less common meaning: the passage or transit (e.g., of troops through an area), but the most frequent everyday meaning is the draught.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Focus: Der Durchzug

The word "Durchzug" is a masculine noun. The article is der.

Declension (Singular):

Plural: The plural "die Durchzüge" is rarely used for the draught sense. People usually just say "Durchzug" in the singular. When the plural is used, it typically refers to passage or transit (e.g., die Durchzüge von Vögeln - the migrations/passages of birds).

Example Sentences:

• Mach bitte das Fenster zu, hier ist ein starker Durchzug! (Please close the window, there's a strong draught here!)
• Vom Durchzug bekommt man leicht einen steifen Nacken. (You easily get a stiff neck from the draught.)
• Ich lüfte nur kurz, um keinen permanenten Durchzug zu haben. (I'm just airing briefly so as not to have a permanent draught.)
• Der Durchzug der Armee durch das Land dauerte mehrere Tage. (The army's passage through the country lasted several days. - Less common meaning)

💨 Usage & Context: When to use Durchzug?

"Durchzug" is mainly used in everyday situations to describe the airflow created by cross-ventilation.

• Typical Context: Indoors (apartment, office, house), often related to airing rooms or open windows/doors.
• Connotation: Usually negative or cautionary, as it's perceived as unpleasantly cold or believed to cause colds or muscle stiffness. "Mach keinen Durchzug!" (Don't create a draught!) is a common instruction.
• Differentiation:
  • Luftzug (der): Similar, but more general. Can also refer to a smaller, less directional airflow. "Durchzug" implies more strongly that the air is moving *through* (durch) the room.
  • Zugluft (die): A very common synonym for Durchzug, often used interchangeably.
  • Lüften (verb): The intentional act of airing a room, which often creates a Durchzug.
• ⚠️ Note: The fear of getting sick from a Durchzug is deeply ingrained in German culture, even if, medically speaking, it's not the draught itself that causes illness.

🧠 Memory Aids for Durchzug

Article Mnemonic: Imagine a strong, masculine wind forcefully pulling (ziehen = Zug) THROUGH (durch) the room. It's a powerful force, like a 'he' - DER Durchzug.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of air going DURCH (through) like a ZUG (train) on tracks – from one opening to another. That's the Durchzug (draught).

🔄 Word World: Synonyms & Antonyms

Related but Different Terms:

• Lüften (verb): The action of airing a room, often causing a Durchzug.
• Brise (die): A light, pleasant breeze, usually outdoors.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der eine Virus den anderen: "Woher kommst du so schnell?"

Sagt der andere: "Mit dem letzten Durchzug!" 🦠💨

--- Translation ---

One virus asks the other: "How did you get here so fast?"

The other replies: "On the last draught!" 🦠💨

📜 Poem about Durchzug

Das Fenster auf, die Tür nicht zu,
Da zieht es kalt, im Nu, im Nu.
Ein kalter Hauch, er schleicht herein,
Der Durchzug ist's, o weh, o nein!
Die Oma schimpft: "Mach alles dicht!
Sonst holt dich Schnupfen und die Gicht!"

--- Translation ---

The window open, the door not closed,
A coldness pulls, quick as supposed.
A chilly breath, it creeps inside,
The draught it is, oh woe, nowhere to hide!
Grandma scolds: "Seal every crack!
Or sniffles and gout will soon attack!"

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich komme rein, wenn zwei sich öffnen weit,
Bring Kühle mit zu jeder Jahreszeit.
Man mag mich nicht, fürchtet sich gar,
Ich bringe Luft – doch oft Gefahr?

Was bin ich?

--- Translation & Clue ---

I come inside when two things open wide,
Bringing coolness, whatever the season outside.
People dislike me, sometimes with fear,
I bring air – but often danger is near?

What am I?

(Solution: Der Durchzug / The draught)

📌 Interesting Facts & Origin

Word Composition:

"Durchzug" is composed of:

• durch: Preposition/adverb indicating movement through something.
• Zug (der): Here in the sense of pulling, current (as in Luftzug - air current).

Cultural Phenomenon: The distinct German "fear" of the Durchzug is often less pronounced in other cultures and can sometimes be a source of amusement or confusion for visitors from abroad.