draft / passage
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draft
A noticeable current of air that moves through a room or building, typically when opposite windows or doors are open.
Mach bitte das Fenster zu, es herrscht ein unangenehmer Durchzug!
Please close the window; there's an unpleasant draft!
passage
The movement of troops, refugees, or a large crowd through a particular area, city, or country.
Der Durchzug der napoleonischen Armee hinterließ eine Spur der Verwüstung.
The passage of the Napoleonic army left a trail of devastation.
The word is made up of the preposition 'durch' (through) and the noun 'Zug' (from 'ziehen' [to pull]). So it literally describes a movement that goes through something, whether air or a crowd of people.
Der Zug der Vögel nach Süden ist ein beeindruckendes Schauspiel.
The migration of birds to the south is an impressive spectacle.
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about rooms, windows, doors, and cold air, it refers to the air current. In historical or news texts about soldiers, refugees, or large groups, it refers to the movement of people.
Schließ die Balkontür, der Durchzug ist ja eiskalt!
Close the balcony door; the draft is freezing!
In connection with an air current, typical phrases are 'Durchzug machen' (to create a cross-draft / air out), 'es herrscht Durchzug' (there is a draft), or 'einen (kalten) Durchzug spüren' (to feel a [cold] draft).
Ich mache morgens immer für fünf Minuten Durchzug im Schlafzimmer.
I always create a draft in the bedroom for five minutes in the morning.
In German-speaking countries, many people find a 'Durchzug' (draft) very unpleasant and believe that it can make you catch a cold. The word therefore often has a negative connotation.
Setz dich nicht in den Durchzug, sonst wirst du krank!
Don't sit in the draft, or you'll get sick!
transit
Durchreise and Durchzug both refer to moving temporarily through a place or country. Durchreise is more suitable for individual travelers or small groups. Durchzug places greater emphasis on the movement of troops, refugees, or a large crowd.
Der Durchzug der großen Flüchtlingsgruppe durch die Stadt dauerte mehrere Stunden.
The large group of refugees took several hours to pass through the city.
Die Familie machte auf ihrer Durchreise durch Österreich nur einen kurzen Halt.
The family made only a brief stop in Austria while passing through.
