lift
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lift / elevator
A system that transports people or loads vertically between the floors of a building in a cabin. A synonym is 'Aufzug' (elevator).
Da die Wohnung im sechsten Stock liegt, nehmen wir den Lift.
Since the apartment is on the sixth floor, we take the lift.
The word 'Lift' is widespread throughout the German-speaking world. In Austria, it is the most everyday and common term for an elevator in a building.
In Wien fragt man eher: „Wo ist der Lift?“
In Vienna, people are more likely to ask: 'Wo ist der Lift?' (Where is the lift?)
You can tell from the context whether an elevator in a building or a ski lift is meant. Words like 'Stockwerk' (floor), 'Etage' (floor), or 'Gebäude' (building) point to an elevator, while 'Berg' (mountain), 'Piste' (slope), or 'Ski' (skiing/skis) refer to a ski lift.
Der Lift fährt nur bis zum 10. Stock.
The lift only goes up to the 10th floor.
When referring to an elevator, typical phrases are 'den Lift nehmen' (to take the lift), 'mit dem Lift fahren' (to ride the lift), or 'im Lift stecken bleiben' (to get stuck in the lift).
Ich bin zu faul für die Treppe, ich nehme den Lift.
I'm too lazy for the stairs; I'm taking the lift.
In the context of winter sports, you often hear 'am Lift anstehen' (to wait in line at the ski lift), 'den Lift nehmen' (to take the ski lift), or 'mit dem Lift auf den Berg fahren' (to ride the ski lift up the mountain).
Am Wochenende muss man am Lift oft lange warten.
On weekends, you often have to wait a long time at the ski lift.
elevator / outfit / act
'der Aufzug' and 'der Lift' can both mean the system in a building that you use to travel between floors. In this sense, they are synonyms. 'Aufzug' is very common and neutral in German. 'Lift' is also well understood; it often sounds a bit shorter or more modern. But note: 'Lift' can also refer to a lift in a ski area. When talking about a building, 'Aufzug' and 'Lift' normally mean the same thing.
Der Lift hält im Erdgeschoss, wenn jemand den Knopf drückt.
The lift stops on the ground floor when someone presses the button.
Vor dem Termin warteten wir lange auf den Aufzug.
Before the appointment, we waited a long time for the elevator.