heart pounding
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heart pounding
A noticeably strong, fast, or irregular heartbeat that can be triggered by excitement, fear, exertion, or being in love.
Vor dem Vorstellungsgespräch hatte sie vor Aufregung starkes Herzklopfen.
Before the job interview, her heart was pounding hard with excitement.
The word is made up of 'Herz' (heart) and the verb 'klopfen' (to knock/beat). So it very vividly describes the feeling when the heart is beating strongly and noticeably.
Nach dem schnellen Lauf spürte er sein Herzklopfen.
After the fast run, he could feel his heart pounding.
'Herzklopfen' (heart pounding) is mostly used with the verbs 'haben' (to have) or 'bekommen' (to get). So you say 'Ich habe Herzklopfen' (My heart is pounding) or 'Ich bekomme Herzklopfen' (My heart starts pounding).
Jedes Mal, wenn er sie sieht, bekommt er Herzklopfen.
Every time he sees her, his heart starts pounding.
To state the reason for the heart pounding, you often use the preposition 'vor' with the dative, especially with emotions such as excitement, joy, or fear.
Das Kind hatte vor Freude Herzklopfen, als es das Geschenk sah.
The child's heart was pounding with joy when they saw the present.
pulse
'der Puls' and 'das Herzklopfen' are both connected to the heartbeat. 'Puls' means the measurable or perceptible movement of blood caused by the heartbeat, for example at the wrist. People often speak of a high, low, or fast pulse. 'Herzklopfen' refers more to the personal feeling that the heart is beating strongly, quickly, or restlessly. This happens, for example, with fear, excitement, or after exertion. Learners may confuse the words because both can feel similar in the body. When you measure it, you tend to say 'Puls'; when you describe the strong feeling, you tend to say 'Herzklopfen'.
Vor der Prüfung hat Tom starkes Herzklopfen.
Before the exam, Tom's heart is pounding hard.
Nach dem Joggen misst Lisa ihren Puls am Handgelenk.
After jogging, Lisa measures her pulse at her wrist.