thrill
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thrill
A strong feeling of excitement, suspense, and slight fear that is often felt as pleasant or exhilarating.
Manche Menschen suchen beim Extremsport den ultimativen Nervenkitzel.
Some people seek the ultimate thrill in extreme sports.
The word is made up of 'Nerven' (nerves) and 'Kitzel' (tickle). Figuratively, it describes a feeling as if the nerves were being tickled—a mixture of suspense and excitement.
Die Stille vor dem Start sorgte für echten Nervenkitzel.
The silence before the start created a real thrill.
'Nervenkitzel' (thrill) is often combined with certain verbs that express seeking or experiencing this feeling: 'den Nervenkitzel suchen' (to seek the thrill), 'den Nervenkitzel spüren' (to feel the thrill), or 'den Nervenkitzel brauchen' (to need the thrill).
Er braucht den Nervenkitzel und fährt deshalb Motorradrennen.
He needs the thrill, which is why he races motorcycles.
The word 'Nervenkitzel' (thrill) is used almost exclusively in the singular. The plural is very unusual and sounds unnatural to native speakers.
Für mich ist eine Achterbahnfahrt der pure Nervenkitzel.
For me, a roller coaster ride is pure thrill.
The term is often used in connection with activities such as extreme sports, riding roller coasters, gambling, or watching horror films.
Fallschirmspringen bietet den ultimativen Nervenkitzel.
Skydiving offers the ultimate thrill.
tension / suspense / voltage
'die Spannung' and 'der Nervenkitzel' both have to do with strong anticipation and excitement. 'Spannung' is more general and fits films, stories, games, or competitions when you want to know how something will turn out. 'Nervenkitzel' is stronger and more personal: you feel excitement and often also a little fear, but in a pleasant way. In a good crime novel, people talk about 'Spannung' (suspense); on a fast roller coaster or during a risky experience, it is more likely to be 'Nervenkitzel' (thrill).
Beim Klettern in großer Höhe sucht Tom genau diesen Nervenkitzel.
When climbing at great heights, Tom is looking for exactly this thrill.
Die Spannung im Film wurde immer größer, weil niemand den Täter kannte.
The suspense in the film kept growing because no one knew who the culprit was.