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fluid
Describes a physical state that is not solid, meaning liquid or gaseous. Such substances can flow and adapt to the shape of their container.
example
Sowohl Wasser als auch Luft sind fluide Medien.
Both water and air are fluid media.
fluid
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Elevated style
The word 'fluid' belongs to elevated written language and technical language. It is often used in scientific, sociological, or journalistic texts to express changeability or a non-solid state.
EXAMPLE
Die politische Lage im Land bleibt weiterhin sehr fluid.
The political situation in the country remains very fluid.
Physics term
In physics and chemistry, 'fluid' is a technical term that includes both liquid and gaseous substances. It describes the property of being able to flow.
EXAMPLE
Gase und Flüssigkeiten werden unter dem Oberbegriff 'fluide Stoffe' zusammengefasst.
Gases and liquids are grouped under the umbrella term 'fluid substances.'
Typical collocations
In the figurative sense, 'fluid' is often used to describe modern, unstable concepts. Common combinations are 'fluide Grenzen' (fluid boundaries), 'fluide Identitäten' (fluid identities), or a 'fluide Arbeitswelt' (fluid world of work).
EXAMPLE
In vielen modernen Berufen sind die Übergänge zwischen Arbeit und Privatleben fluid.
In many modern professions, the transitions between work and private life are fluid.
Context: gender
In the context of gender identity, 'fluid' is often used as part of the term 'genderfluid.' It describes an identity that is not fixed to one gender, but can change.
EXAMPLE
Manche Menschen identifizieren sich nicht als männlich oder weiblich, sondern als fluid.
Some people do not identify as male or female, but as fluid.
Compare with
fluid vs fest
firm / fixed
'fest' and 'fluid' are opposites when it comes to a state or to changeability. With substances, 'fest' means that something has a stable form and does not flow. 'fluid' means that something is liquid or gaseous and adapts to its surroundings. In a figurative sense, 'fest' can also mean that something is clearly fixed, while 'fluid' is more changeable and not definitively set. 'fest' sounds very normal in everyday language; 'fluid' is more technical or elevated.
fluid
Die Aufgaben im neuen Team sind noch fluid und ändern sich oft.
The tasks in the new team are still fluid and often change.
fest
Bei Kälte wird das Öl fest und lässt sich schwer gießen.
In the cold, the oil becomes solid and is hard to pour.
In real life
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