level
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water level
The water level of a river, lake, or another body of water, read from a measuring gauge.
Nach den starken Regenfällen ist der Pegel des Rheins gefährlich angestiegen.
After the heavy rainfall, the level of the Rhine rose dangerously.
alcohol level
Colloquial for the alcohol level in the blood; the degree of drunkenness.
Nach drei Bier hatte er schon einen ordentlichen Pegel.
After three beers, he already had quite an alcohol level.
signal level
In technology, especially in acoustics and electronics, the level or strength of a signal.
Der Tontechniker muss den Pegel des Mikrofons an die laute Umgebung anpassen.
The sound engineer has to adjust the microphone level to the loud environment.
The meaning of 'Pegel' (level) becomes clear from the context. Words like 'Fluss' (river), 'See' (lake), or 'Wasser' (water) point to the water level. 'Alkohol' (alcohol) or 'trinken' (to drink) point to the degree of drunkenness. Terms like 'Ton' (sound), 'Signal' (signal), or 'Mikrofon' (microphone) belong to the technical meaning.
Der Pegel des Flusses wird stündlich gemessen.
The level of the river is measured hourly.
When it is about the water level, 'Pegel' (level) is often used with the verbs 'steigen' (to rise), 'sinken' (to sink), or 'fallen' (to fall). People also speak of the 'Pegelstand' (water level reading).
Wegen des Dauerregens steigt der Pegel kontinuierlich an.
Because of the continuous rain, the level is rising steadily.
The phrase 'einen Pegel haben' means, colloquially, to be drunk. It is used in informal situations among friends or acquaintances.
Er hat sich auf der Party einen ordentlichen Pegel angetrunken.
He drank himself to quite a state at the party.
In audio or electrical engineering, 'Pegel' (level) is combined with verbs like 'einstellen' (to set), 'anpassen' (to adjust), 'regeln' (to control), or 'aussteuern' (to level out). It is about controlling the strength of a signal.
Der Tontechniker muss den Pegel für jedes Instrument einzeln einstellen.
The sound engineer has to set the level for each instrument individually.
level
Niveau can generally refer to the height of a body of water relative to a reference level. For water, Pegel means the measured water level read at a measuring station. Use Niveau for the general height and Pegel when the specific measured value of the body of water is meant.
Der Pegel des Flusses ist nach dem Regen innerhalb weniger Stunden stark gestiegen.
After the rain, the river’s measured water level rose sharply within a few hours.
Das Niveau des Flusses liegt nach dem Regen deutlich höher als im Sommer.
After the rain, the river’s water level is noticeably higher than in summer.
