ice age
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ice age
A geological epoch with a significantly colder climate, during which large parts of the Earth were covered by glaciers and ice sheets.
Mammuts lebten während der letzten Eiszeit in Europa und Asien.
Mammoths lived in Europe and Asia during the last ice age.
cold spell
A figurative term for a phase in a relationship between people or groups that is marked by coldness, silence, and a lack of communication.
Nach dem großen Streit herrschte zwischen den beiden wochenlang Eiszeit.
After the big argument, there was a cold spell between the two of them for weeks.
The word is a clear compound of 'das Eis' (ice) and 'die Zeit' (time). The literal meaning 'time of ice' helps you understand both the geological and the figurative meaning.
Forscher untersuchen, wie sich das Klima seit der letzten Eiszeit verändert hat.
Researchers are studying how the climate has changed since the last ice age.
You can tell from the context whether the geological epoch or a cold phase in a relationship is meant. Words like 'Gletscher' (glacier) or 'Mammut' (mammoth) point to Earth history, while 'Streit' (argument), 'Schweigen' (silence), or 'Beziehung' (relationship) point to the figurative meaning.
In der letzten Eiszeit war ein Großteil Nordeuropas von Gletschern bedeckt.
In the last ice age, a large part of northern Europe was covered by glaciers.
In the figurative meaning, the fixed expression 'es herrscht Eiszeit' (there is an icy atmosphere) is often used. With the preposition 'zwischen' (between), the affected people can be named.
Zwischen den beiden ehemaligen Freunden herrscht seit Monaten Eiszeit.
There has been an icy silence between the two former friends for months.
winter
Winter and Eiszeit can both figuratively refer to a difficult, cold phase. Winter is more general and can express stagnation or decline. Eiszeit is used especially for relationships that have grown distant and are marked by silence and a lack of communication; for such relationships, Eiszeit is therefore often more suitable.
Nach dem Streit herrschte zwischen den beiden Freunden eine lange Eiszeit.
After the dispute, the two friends went through a long cold spell.
Nach dem Streit begann für den Verein ein langer Winter des Stillstands.
After the dispute, the club entered a long winter of stagnation.
