heartbeat
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heartbeat
The rhythmic contraction of the heart muscle, which pumps blood through the body and can be felt as a pulse.
Nach dem Sprint konnte ich meinen schnellen Herzschlag in der Brust spüren.
After the sprint, I could feel my fast heartbeat in my chest.
heartbeat
In a figurative sense, a very brief instant or moment.
Innerhalb eines Herzschlags hatte sich die gesamte Situation verändert.
Within a heartbeat, the entire situation had changed.
The word is a compound of 'das Herz' (the heart) and 'der Schlag' (the beat/strike). It literally describes the beat or pounding of the heart.
Der Arzt hörte mit dem Stethoskop den Herzschlag des Patienten ab.
The doctor listened to the patient's heartbeat with the stethoscope.
'Herzschlag' (heartbeat) is often combined with the verbs 'fühlen' (to feel), 'spüren' (to sense/feel), or 'hören' (to hear). Typical adjectives that describe it are 'schnell' (fast), 'langsam' (slow), 'regelmäßig' (regular), or 'unregelmäßig' (irregular).
Vor Aufregung spürte sie ihren schnellen Herzschlag.
Because of the excitement, she could feel her fast heartbeat.
In the figurative meaning 'kurzer Moment' (brief moment), the word is used almost exclusively in the fixed expressions 'innerhalb eines Herzschlags' (within a heartbeat) or 'in einem Herzschlag' (in a heartbeat).
Die Ampel schaltete innerhalb eines Herzschlags von Grün auf Rot.
The traffic light changed from green to red within a heartbeat.
moment
Moment is the neutral term for a very short period of time. In a figurative sense, Herzschlag can also mean a very brief moment, but it sounds vivid and emphasizes the extreme brevity. For an ordinary reference to a period of time, Moment is therefore more suitable.
Für einen Herzschlag glaubte sie, ihren Bruder am Bahnhof zu sehen.
For a heartbeat, she thought she saw her brother at the train station.
Für einen Moment glaubte sie, ihren Bruder am Bahnhof zu sehen.
For a moment, she thought she saw her brother at the train station.
