die  Strömung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtʁøːmʊŋ/

🌊 What does "die Strömung" mean?

The noun die Strömung (feminine) generally describes a directed movement of particles, whether in liquids, gases, or figuratively.

• Physical Meaning: The movement of water (e.g., in the sea or a river - Meeresströmung, Flussströmung), air (wind - Luftströmung), or other fluids. Example: Die Meeresströmung ist sehr stark. (The ocean current is very strong.)
• Figurative Meaning: A tendency, direction, or movement within a group, society, art, politics, etc. (often translated as 'trend', 'current', 'movement'). Example: Es gibt neue Strömungen in der modernen Kunst. (There are new trends/currents in modern art.)

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to grasp the correct meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Strömung

Die Strömung is a feminine noun. The suffix "-ung" often indicates a feminine noun in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Strömung des Flusses riss das Boot mit sich.
   (The current of the river carried the boat away.) [Physical]
2. In der Philosophie gibt es verschiedene Denkströmungen.
   (In philosophy, there are different schools of thought/intellectual currents.) [Figurative]
3. Der Schwimmer kämpfte gegen die starke Strömung an.
   (The swimmer fought against the strong current.) [Physical]
4. Diese politische Strömung gewinnt an Einfluss.
   (This political movement/current is gaining influence.) [Figurative]

💡 How to use "Strömung"?

Contexts and Nuances:

• Natural Sciences/Technology: Here, die Strömung usually refers to the flow of liquids or gases (Wasserströmung - water current, Luftströmung - air current, Wärmeströmung - heat flow). It's a precise technical term.
• Society/Culture/Politics: In these fields, die Strömung is used metaphorically for tendencies, movements, or directions (politische Strömung - political current, künstlerische Strömung - artistic movement, Zeitströmung - current trend/spirit of the times).
• Comparison:
  • Fluss (der): Often refers specifically to rivers, but can also mean 'flow' in general. "Strömung" is often more technical or abstract.
  • Tendenz (die) / Richtung (die): Similar to the figurative meaning, but "Strömung" often implies a stronger, broader, or more established movement.
  • Bewegung (die): A more general term for 'movement'. "Strömung" is a specific type of directed movement.

The term is commonly used in both everyday language and specialized fields.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Strömung"

Remembering the Article (die)

Most German nouns ending in "-ung" are feminine (die). Think of other examples like die Meinung (opinion), die Leitung (management/pipe), die Hoffnung (hope)... and die Strömung. Remember the phrase: "Die strong -ung (Strömung) pulls you along."

Remembering the Meaning

Think of water streaming along – that's a Strömung (current, flow). Also, think of ideas or opinions streaming in a certain direction – that's also a Strömung (trend, movement). The related verb "strömen" (to stream, flow) is key!

↔️ Similar & Opposite Words for "Strömung"

🚨 Potential Confusion

• Strom (der): Often refers to a large river (like der Rhein) or electricity (electric current). Although related, it's a different word with a masculine article (der Strom).

😄 A Little Laugh

Warum mögen Fische keine politischen Strömungen?
Weil sie lieber mit dem Strom schwimmen! 😉

(Why don't fish like political currents/trends?
Because they prefer to go with the flow/swim with the current!)

📜 Poetry about Strömung

Die Strömung, stark und klar,
Zieht Wasser fort, Jahr für Jahr.
Auch Ideen, wie ein Fluss,
Bringen Wandel, ohne Schluss.
Mal sanft, mal wild, die Kraft,
Die Neues in die Welt geschafft.

(The current, strong and clear,
Pulls water forth, year after year.
Ideas too, like a river's flow,
Bring change that ceaselessly will grow.
Sometimes gentle, sometimes wild, the force,
That brings the new onto its course.)

❓ Who am I?

Ich bewege Wasser, Luft und auch den Geist,
Bin mal im Meer, mal in der Kunst gereist.
Ich bin eine Tendenz, ein Lauf, ein Zug,
Mal physikalisch, mal ein kluger Trug.

Wer bin ich? (Antwort: die Strömung)

(I move water, air, and also the mind,
Sometimes in the sea, sometimes in art you'll find.
I am a tendency, a course, a draft you see,
Sometimes physical, sometimes metaphorically.

Who am I?
Answer: die Strömung)

🧩 More Info

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word Strömung is derived from the verb strömen (to flow, stream, surge) using the suffix -ung. This suffix is frequently used to form feminine nouns from verbs, often denoting a process or its result.

Trivia:

• In oceanography, currents (Strömungen) like the Gulf Stream (der Golfstrom) are crucial for the global climate.
• In art history, people talk about movements (Strömungen) like Impressionism or Expressionism.