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.
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
'die Luft' and 'das Ozon' both have to do with gases in the atmosphere or in a room. 'Luft' is the general word for the mixture of gases that we breathe. 'Ozon' is a specific gas, a special form of oxygen. It can be important in the atmosphere, but near the ground or in rooms it can also smell unpleasant. Colloquially, people sometimes say 'hier ist Ozon' when the air is very bad or stuffy. The words are easy to confuse because both are connected with breathing and the atmosphere. More precisely, 'Luft' is used for the general concept, and 'Ozon' for this specific gas or the colloquial meaning of bad air.
An heißen Tagen warnt die Stadt vor zu viel Ozon in der Luft.
On hot days, the city warns about too much ozone in the air.
Im Bus war die Luft so schlecht, dass Anna das Fenster öffnete.
The air on the bus was so bad that Anna opened the window.