short circuit
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short circuit
A faulty, direct connection between two poles of an electrical voltage source that leads to a very high current flow and often causes damage or fires.
Ein defektes Kabel hat einen Kurzschluss verursacht und die Sicherung ist rausgeflogen.
A defective cable caused a short circuit, and the fuse blew.
The word consists of 'kurz' (short) and 'Schluss' (end/connection). In electrical engineering, it describes how the current takes an unwanted, 'short' path instead of flowing through the device.
Ein alter Toaster hat den Kurzschluss in der Küche verursacht.
An old toaster caused the short circuit in the kitchen.
You can recognize the technical meaning from words like 'Kabel' (cable), 'Sicherung' (fuse), or 'Gerät' (device). The figurative meaning refers to human behavior and is often combined with words like 'Reaktion' (reaction), 'handeln' (to act), or 'Entscheidung' (decision).
Wegen eines Kurzschlusses fiel der Strom im ganzen Haus aus.
Because of a short circuit, the power went out in the whole house.
In a technical context, 'Kurzschluss' (short circuit) is often used with certain verbs: it is 'verursacht' (caused) or 'ausgelöst' (triggered), or you 'hat' (have) a short circuit.
Das Wasser in der Steckdose hat einen Kurzschluss ausgelöst.
The water in the socket triggered a short circuit.
In the figurative sense, the word is very often used in the fixed combination 'die Kurzschlussreaktion' (knee-jerk reaction). The expression 'im Kurzschluss handeln' (to act on a rash impulse) is also common.
Er hat im Kurzschluss gekündigt und es am nächsten Tag bereut.
He resigned on a rash impulse and regretted it the next day.
power outage
'Stromausfall' and 'Kurzschluss' both belong to the topic of electricity, but they do not mean the same thing. A 'Stromausfall' means that power is no longer available in an area and devices do not work. A 'Kurzschluss' is a fault in an electrical device or in a wire. It can be dangerous and can even trigger a power outage, but it is not the outage itself. Learners may confuse the words because the lights often go out after a short circuit. In practical terms: the result is often a 'Stromausfall' (power outage), while the possible technical cause is a 'Kurzschluss' (short circuit).
Im Büro hat ein defektes Kabel einen Kurzschluss verursacht.
In the office, a defective cable caused a short circuit.
Der Stromausfall dauert schon eine Stunde, deshalb kann sie nicht für die Prüfung lernen.
The power outage has already lasted an hour, so she can't study for the exam.