lull / slump
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calm
A period of complete absence of wind, especially at sea, which is problematic for sailing ships.
Wegen der Flaute kamen die Segelboote bei der Regatta kaum voran.
Because of the calm, the sailboats in the regatta made hardly any progress.
slump
In a figurative sense, a phase of economic stagnation, a lack of business, demand, or activity.
Nach dem Weihnachtsgeschäft herrscht im Einzelhandel traditionell eine Flaute.
After the Christmas shopping season, there is traditionally a slump in retail.
slump
Colloquially, a personal phase in which there is a lack of success, motivation, ideas, or even romantic interest.
Der Künstler hatte eine kreative Flaute und konnte monatelang nicht malen.
The artist was in a creative slump and could not paint for months.
'Die Flaute' (calm/slump) is related to the adjective 'flau' (queasy, weak, listless), which describes a feeling of weakness, nausea, or lack of energy. 'Die Flaute' is therefore the noun form of a state in which energy or movement is lacking.
Mir ist heute irgendwie flau im Magen.
My stomach feels kind of queasy today.
A very common and natural expression with 'Flaute' (calm/slump) uses the verb 'herrschen' (to prevail, to reign). For example, people say 'Es herrscht Flaute' (there is a lull/slump) or 'In der Wirtschaft herrscht Flaute' (there is a slump in the economy).
Seit Wochen herrscht bei den Autoherstellern eine Flaute.
There has been a slump among car manufacturers for weeks.
The original meaning of 'Flaute' (calm) can be recognized from the context. If the topic is 'Wind' (wind), 'Segeln' (sailing), 'Meer' (sea), or 'Wetter' (weather), it always means the absence of wind.
Mitten auf dem See überraschte uns eine plötzliche Flaute.
In the middle of the lake, a sudden calm took us by surprise.
In the figurative economic meaning, 'Flaute' (slump) is often combined with words such as 'wirtschaftlich' (economic), 'Aufträge' (orders), 'Umsatz' (revenue), or 'Nachfrage' (demand). For example, people speak of a 'wirtschaftliche Flaute' (economic slump).
Wegen der Flaute bei den Aufträgen musste die Firma Kurzarbeit anmelden.
Because of the slump in orders, the company had to register for short-time work.
The personal meaning of 'Flaute' (slump) is often colloquial. For example, people speak of a 'kreative Flaute' (creative slump, no ideas) or jokingly of 'Flaute im Bett' (a dry spell in bed, no love life).
Der Autor leidet seit Monaten unter einer kreativen Flaute.
The author has been suffering from a creative slump for months.
stagnation
Stagnation and Flaute can both describe a weak phase in the economy. Stagnation objectively describes a lack of growth or development. Flaute is more figurative and often emphasizes a lack of demand, business, or activity.
Die geringe Nachfrage verursacht im Einzelhandel eine deutliche Flaute.
Low demand is causing a clear slump in the retail sector.
Die unveränderte Wirtschaftsleistung zeigt eine deutliche Stagnation.
The unchanged economic output indicates clear stagnation.
