der Krach
noise / crash
A loud, sudden, and often unpleasant noise caused by an impact, breakage, or explosion.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin durch einen lauten Krach aus der Küche aufgewacht.
I woke up because of a loud crash from the kitchen.
der Krach
noise / argument / crash
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Meanings
der Krach
argument / row
A heated, loud argument or conflict between people.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarn hatten gestern Abend wieder furchtbaren Krach.
The neighbors had another terrible row last night.
der Krach
crash
A sudden and serious collapse on the stock market or in the financial system.
EXAMPLE
Der Börsenkrach von 1929 stürzte die Welt in eine tiefe Wirtschaftskrise.
The stock market crash of 1929 plunged the world into a deep economic crisis.
Usage tips
Context is key
To understand the meaning of 'Krach' (noise / argument / crash), pay attention to the context. Is it about a sudden noise, an argument between people, or the financial world? The accompanying words give the crucial clue.
EXAMPLE
Der Krach kam von einem umfallenden Stuhl.
The crash came from a chair falling over.
Typical verbs
In connection with noise, the phrase 'Krach machen' (to make a loud noise) or 'Krach schlagen' (to protest noisily / make a fuss) is often used.
EXAMPLE
Hört bitte auf, so einen Krach zu machen!
Please stop making such a racket!
Sentence structure for arguments
When 'Krach' (argument / row) means an argument, the construction 'Krach mit jemandem haben' (to have an argument with someone) is often used. The preposition 'mit' introduces the person one is arguing with.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat ständig Krach mit ihren Eltern.
She is constantly having arguments with her parents.
Register
The meaning 'Streit' (argument) is especially common in colloquial language. In more formal contexts, words like 'Streit' (dispute / argument) or 'Auseinandersetzung' (conflict / confrontation) would be used instead.
EXAMPLE
Wegen des Geldes gab es mal wieder Krach in der Familie.
There was yet another row in the family because of the money.
Fixed combination
In a financial context, 'Krach' (crash) is almost always part of the fixed term 'der Börsenkrach' (the stock market crash). The word is rarely used on its own with this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Börsenkrach von 1929 hatte weltweite Folgen.
The stock market crash of 1929 had worldwide consequences.
Compare with
Krach vs Streit
argument / dispute
Streit is the neutral term for a dispute between people. Krach also refers to an argument, but usually emphasizes that it is loud or especially heated. Use Streit for the general situation and Krach when the noise or intensity is important.
Krach
Die Nachbarn hatten wegen der Mülltonnen einen lauten Krach.
The neighbors had a loud argument about the garbage bins.
Streit
Die Nachbarn hatten wegen der Mülltonnen einen Streit.
The neighbors had an argument about the garbage bins.
In real life
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