die Atmosphäre
atmosphere
The mood or feeling that exists in a place, group, or at an event.
EXAMPLE
Das kleine Restaurant hat eine sehr gemütliche und persönliche Atmosphäre.
The small restaurant has a very cozy and personal atmosphere.
die Atmosphäre
atmosphere
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Meanings
die Atmosphäre
atmosphere
The layer of gas that surrounds a planet or another celestial body, especially the layer of air around the Earth.
EXAMPLE
Satelliten verglühen oft beim Wiedereintritt in die Erdatmosphäre.
Satellites often burn up when re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.
die Atmosphäre
atmosphere
A physical unit of pressure that roughly corresponds to the average air pressure at sea level.
EXAMPLE
In 10 Metern Wassertiefe herrscht ein Druck von etwa zwei Atmosphären.
At a water depth of 10 meters, there is a pressure of about two atmospheres.
Usage tips
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'Atmosphäre' (atmosphere) from the context. If it is about feelings like 'gemütlich' (cozy) or 'entspannt' (relaxed), it refers to the mood. In texts about planets, rockets, or outer space, it refers to the gas layer. In connection with numbers and 'Druck' (pressure), it means the physical unit.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Familienfest herrschte eine sehr angespannte Atmosphäre.
There was a very tense atmosphere at the family celebration.
Typical collocations
When referring to the mood, 'Atmosphäre' (atmosphere) is often combined with adjectives like 'gut' (good), 'schlecht' (bad), 'entspannt' (relaxed), or 'freundlich' (friendly). Typical verbs are 'herrschen' (to prevail/exist) or 'schaffen' (to create).
EXAMPLE
Die gedimmten Lichter schaffen eine romantische Atmosphäre.
The dimmed lights create a romantic atmosphere.
Sentence structure with 'herrschen'
The verb 'herrschen' (to prevail/exist) is used very often to describe an existing mood. In this structure, 'Atmosphäre' (atmosphere) often appears as the subject after the verb, introduced by 'es' in position 1.
EXAMPLE
Im Team herrscht eine Atmosphäre des Vertrauens.
There is an atmosphere of trust in the team.
Register: technical language
The meaning as the gas layer of a planet is used almost exclusively in scientific or technical contexts, for example in astronomy, physics, or geography.
EXAMPLE
Die Ozonschicht schützt uns vor schädlicher Strahlung in der oberen Atmosphäre.
The ozone layer protects us from harmful radiation in the upper atmosphere.
Compare with
Atmosphäre vs Luft
air
Luft and Atmosphäre can both refer to the mixture of gases around the Earth. Luft usually refers to the air immediately present in a particular place that people breathe. Atmosphäre refers to the entire layer of gas surrounding the Earth or another celestial body and is therefore appropriate for processes taking place in this layer.
Atmosphäre
Abgase gelangen aus der Innenstadt in die Atmosphäre.
Exhaust fumes travel from the city center into the atmosphere.
Luft
Abgase verschmutzen die Luft in der Innenstadt.
Exhaust fumes pollute the air in the city center.
In real life
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