lift
Loading your saved state.
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.
ski lift
A transport system in ski areas that carries winter sports enthusiasts up a mountain. This can be a chairlift, drag lift, or gondola lift.
Wir mussten am Lift lange anstehen, weil so viele Leute auf die Piste wollten.
We had to wait in line at the ski lift for a long time because so many people wanted to get onto the slopes.
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
Both words can refer to the cabin that transports people between floors. In Germany, Aufzug is the usual standard term. Lift is especially common in Austria and Switzerland, where it does not refer to a different object.
Im Hotel in Wien fährt der Lift bis in den zehnten Stock.
At the hotel in Vienna, the lift goes up to the tenth floor.
Im Hotel in Berlin fährt der Aufzug bis in den zehnten Stock.
At the hotel in Berlin, the elevator goes up to the tenth floor.
