sexual intercourse
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sexual intercourse
The physical act of sexual union between people, serving reproduction or pleasure. It is a formal, medical term for sex.
Im Biologieunterricht werden die körperlichen Vorgänge beim Geschlechtsverkehr erklärt.
In biology class, the physical processes involved in sexual intercourse are explained.
This long word is made up of three parts: 'das Geschlecht' (sex/gender), the linking -s, and 'der Verkehr' (traffic/intercourse). Here, 'Verkehr' can be understood as 'relations' or 'exchange.'
Das Wort „Verkehr“ allein bedeutet meist den Straßenverkehr.
The word 'Verkehr' by itself usually means road traffic.
This word belongs to a very formal register. It is found mainly in medical, legal, or scientific texts. It is not used in everyday conversations.
Der Arzt klärte den Patienten über die Risiken auf.
The doctor informed the patient about the risks.
The most common verb combination is 'Geschlechtsverkehr haben' (to have sexual intercourse). Another important and often-used collocation is 'ungeschützter Geschlechtsverkehr' (unprotected sexual intercourse), especially in the context of health and sex education.
Sie hatten zum ersten Mal Geschlechtsverkehr.
They had sexual intercourse for the first time.
sex
Sex is the more general and more everyday term for sexual activity. Geschlechtsverkehr sounds more formal and medical and usually refers more specifically to sexual intercourse. Sex is often appropriate in a private conversation; in a medical or formal context, Geschlechtsverkehr is more suitable.
Seinem Arzt sagte Paul, dass er Geschlechtsverkehr gehabt hatte.
Paul told his doctor that he had had sexual intercourse.
Seinem Freund sagte Paul, dass er Sex gehabt hatte.
Paul told his friend that he had had sex.
