ozone
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ozone
A special form of oxygen (O₃) that occurs as a gas in the atmosphere and protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation. It has a characteristic, sharp smell.
An heißen Sommertagen können die Ozonwerte in der Stadt stark ansteigen.
On hot summer days, ozone levels in the city can rise sharply.
stale air
Colloquial term for very bad, stale, or stuffy air in an enclosed room.
Mach bitte mal das Fenster auf, hier drinnen ist ein furchtbares Ozon!
Please open the window; the air in here is terribly stale!
You can recognize the meaning of 'Ozon' (ozone) from context. If it is about weather, the environment, or science (e.g., 'Ozonloch' (ozone hole), 'Ozonwerte' (ozone levels)), it refers to the gas. If it is about an enclosed room and bad air, the colloquial meaning is intended.
Die Ozonschicht schützt uns vor UV-Strahlung.
The ozone layer protects us from UV radiation.
In a scientific context, 'Ozon' (ozone) is often part of fixed terms. The most important ones are 'die Ozonschicht' (the ozone layer, the protective layer in the atmosphere) and 'das Ozonloch' (the ozone hole, the thinning of this layer).
Wissenschaftler beobachten das Ozonloch über der Antarktis.
Scientists are observing the ozone hole over Antarctica.
The meaning 'schlechte Luft' (bad air) for 'Ozon' (ozone) is used only in colloquial language. In formal or written contexts, one would instead speak of 'schlechter Luft' (bad air) or 'verbrauchter Luft' (stale air).
Puh, nach der Party war ein übles Ozon im Wohnzimmer.
Phew, after the party there was some awful stale air in the living room.
air
Luft is the neutral term for the gas in a room, even when it has become stale. Colloquially and jokingly, Ozon can refer to particularly bad, heavy indoor air. Luft is therefore appropriate in a factual statement, while Ozon fits an exaggerated remark.
Nach der langen Sitzung ruft Ben scherzhaft: „Was ist denn hier für ein Ozon?“
After the long meeting, Ben jokes, “What is this stale air in here?”
Nach der langen Sitzung ist die Luft im Raum sehr verbraucht.
After the long meeting, the air in the room is very stale.
