damping / cushioning
Loading your saved state.
cushioning
The reduction or weakening of vibrations, impacts, or shocks. This is used in technology (e.g., shock absorbers in cars) or in sports equipment (e.g., in running shoes).
Diese neuen Laufschuhe haben eine besonders gute Dämpfung, um die Gelenke zu schonen.
These new running shoes have especially good cushioning to protect the joints.
'Die Dämpfung' (damping/cushioning) is a noun derived from the verb 'dämpfen' (to dampen). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun. The basic meaning of 'dämpfen' is to reduce or weaken something in its intensity.
Man kann den Ton einer Glocke durch Berührung dämpfen.
You can dampen the sound of a bell by touching it.
The exact meaning becomes clear from the context. With shoes or cars, it is about impacts (m01). With music or noise, it is about sound (m02). In cooking, it is about a cooking method (m03).
Die Dämpfung des Fahrwerks sorgt für eine angenehme Fahrt.
The suspension damping ensures a comfortable ride.
In a technical context, the quality of 'Dämpfung' (cushioning/damping) is often described with adjectives such as 'gut' (good), 'schlecht' (poor), 'weich' (soft), 'hart' (hard), or 'effektiv' (effective).
Für unebenes Gelände braucht man Schuhe mit einer weichen Dämpfung.
For uneven terrain, you need shoes with soft cushioning.
The meaning in a cooking context is more technical or less common. In everyday language, this cooking method is usually referred to differently.
Im Kochbuch wird die Dämpfung von Gemüse in einem speziellen Kapitel erklärt.
In the cookbook, the steaming of vegetables is explained in a special chapter.
reinforcement
'die Verstärkung' and 'die Dämpfung' describe opposite directions. With 'Verstärkung', something becomes stronger, louder, or more intense. With 'Dämpfung', something becomes weaker, quieter, or less noticeable. The contrast fits especially well in technology, sound, impacts, or vibrations. If the sound is too quiet, you need 'Verstärkung' (amplification); if it is too loud or echoes too much, you need 'Dämpfung' (damping).
Die Dämpfung in den neuen Schuhen macht das Laufen auf hartem Boden angenehmer.
The cushioning in the new shoes makes running on hard ground more comfortable.
Nach der Verstärkung des Signals war die Durchsage im ganzen Bahnhof zu hören.
After the signal was amplified, the announcement could be heard throughout the station.