elevator / outfit / act
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elevator
A technical system that transports people or loads in a cabin vertically between the floors of a building; an elevator or lift.
Der Aufzug ist leider kaputt, wir müssen die Treppe nehmen.
The elevator is unfortunately broken; we have to take the stairs.
outfit
A person's clothing and overall outward appearance, often with a slightly mocking or critical emphasis on a striking or inappropriate way of dressing.
In diesem seltsamen Aufzug kannst du unmöglich zur Hochzeit gehen!
You can't possibly go to the wedding in that strange outfit!
act
One of the main sections of a play; an act. A drama or opera is typically divided into several acts.
Die entscheidende Wendung der Handlung findet erst im dritten Aufzug statt.
The decisive turn in the plot doesn't happen until the third act.
All meanings of 'Aufzug' (elevator/outfit/act) derive from the verb 'aufziehen'. You can 'aufziehen' (pull up) an elevator, 'aufziehen' (dress up) in a striking way, or 'aufziehen' (raise) the curtain for a theater act.
Früher wurden die Gewichte für die Turmuhr von Hand aufgezogen.
In the past, the weights for the tower clock were wound up by hand.
In connection with an elevator, the most common phrases are 'den Aufzug nehmen' (to take the elevator) or 'mit dem Aufzug fahren' (to ride the elevator). A typical problem situation is 'im Aufzug stecken bleiben' (to get stuck in the elevator).
In den zehnten Stock nehme ich lieber den Aufzug.
I'd rather take the elevator to the tenth floor.
In Austria and parts of Switzerland, the word 'der Lift' (the lift/elevator) is more common than 'der Aufzug' for this meaning.
Wir nehmen den Lift in den fünften Stock.
We'll take the lift to the fifth floor.
In the meaning 'Kleidung' (clothing), 'Aufzug' (outfit) almost always has an ironic or critical connotation. It is used to describe a particularly striking, inappropriate, or extravagant appearance.
Er erschien in einem goldenen Anzug zur Party – was für ein Aufzug!
He showed up at the party in a gold suit—what an outfit!
This meaning belongs to the technical language of theater. You can recognize it by the fact that 'Aufzug' (act) is almost always combined with an ordinal number (first, second, third...).
Im ersten Aufzug werden die Hauptfiguren vorgestellt.
In the first act, the main characters are introduced.
suit
Both words can refer to a person's outward appearance, but they focus on different things. Anzug specifically means the formal clothing consisting of a suit jacket and trousers, whereas Aufzug refers to the entire appearance and often sounds conspicuous or critical. Anzug is the right word for the item of clothing; Aufzug is the right word for the overall impression.
Mit seinem glänzenden Anzug hatte er bei der Feier einen auffälligen Aufzug.
With his shiny suit, he had a striking outfit at the party.
Für das Bewerbungsgespräch kaufte er sich einen neuen grauen Anzug.
He bought a new gray suit for the job interview.
