01
der Blackout
blackout
A sudden and widespread failure of the power supply.
example
Wegen des Sturms gab es in der ganzen Stadt einen Blackout.
Because of the storm, there was a blackout across the whole city.
der Blackout
blackout
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Usage in a sentence
'Blackout' is a word from English. In German, it is usually combined with the verb 'haben' (to have) or the phrase 'es gibt' (there is / there are) to describe the occurrence of the event.
EXAMPLE
Ich hatte bei der Präsentation einen totalen Blackout.
I had a total blackout during the presentation.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about electricity, technology, or a city, it means a power outage. If it is about a person in a stressful situation such as an exam, it means a loss of memory.
EXAMPLE
Die ganze Stadt war vom Blackout betroffen.
The whole city was affected by the blackout.
Typical adjectives
To describe the severity of a blackout, the adjectives 'komplett' (complete), 'total' (total), or 'kurz' (brief) are often used. For a power outage, 'großflächig' (widespread) also fits.
EXAMPLE
Er hatte nur einen kurzen Blackout und konnte dann weitersprechen.
He had only a brief blackout and was then able to continue speaking.
Compare with
Blackout vs Ohnmacht
fainting / powerlessness
'die Ohnmacht' and 'der Blackout' can both mean that someone is briefly not fully conscious. 'Ohnmacht' is used especially when a person really becomes unconscious, for example because of circulatory problems or shock. 'Blackout' can also mean a brief loss of memory, such as in an exam when you suddenly cannot remember anything. In addition, 'Blackout' can mean a power outage. Learners confuse the words because both describe a sudden failure. If someone collapses or passes out, 'Ohnmacht' fits better; if someone suddenly cannot remember anything, 'Blackout' is more natural.
Blackout
In der Prüfung hatte Max plötzlich einen Blackout und konnte die einfache Frage nicht beantworten.
During the exam, Max suddenly had a blackout and could not answer the simple question.
Ohnmacht
Nach dem langen Stehen fiel die Frau kurz in Ohnmacht.
After standing for a long time, the woman briefly fainted.
In real life
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