pendulum
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pendulum
A body that is suspended from a point and can swing freely under the influence of gravity. Pendulums are often used to regulate clocks or for physics experiments.
Das gleichmäßige Schwingen des Pendels der alten Standuhr hatte eine beruhigende Wirkung.
The steady swinging of the pendulum of the old grandfather clock had a calming effect.
The noun 'das Pendel' (the pendulum) is closely related to the verb 'pendeln'. 'Pendeln' describes the swinging motion of a pendulum, but it is also very commonly used for regularly traveling back and forth between one's home and workplace.
Viele Menschen pendeln jeden Tag zur Arbeit in die Stadt.
Many people commute to work in the city every day.
In the figurative meaning, the fixed expression 'das Pendel schlägt um' (the pendulum swings over) or 'das Pendel schlägt in eine Richtung aus' (the pendulum swings in one direction) is often used. This describes a sudden change in a situation or opinion to the opposite.
Nach der Wahl schlug das politische Pendel wieder nach links aus.
After the election, the political pendulum swung back to the left.
You can recognize the figurative meaning by the fact that 'Pendel' (pendulum) is combined with abstract nouns such as 'Meinung' (opinion), 'Stimmung' (mood), or 'Geschichte' (history). The literal meaning, by contrast, refers to physical objects such as a clock.
Die Stimmung in der Bevölkerung ist umgeschlagen; das Pendel der öffentlichen Meinung bewegt sich.
The mood among the population has shifted; the pendulum of public opinion is moving.
fluctuation / swaying
'die Schwankung' and 'das Pendel' both have to do with movement back and forth. 'Schwankung' usually describes the change itself: values, prices, temperatures, or moods move irregularly up and down. It can also be a swaying movement. 'Pendel' is first of all an object that swings regularly back and forth, for example in a clock. Figuratively, 'Pendel' can also mean a development between two extremes. There is a risk of confusion because both can express an up and down or back and forth movement. 'Schwankung' fits better with numbers and changes; 'Pendel' fits better with a swinging object or an image for two extremes.
Das Pendel der alten Uhr bewegt sich langsam von links nach rechts.
The pendulum of the old clock moves slowly from left to right.
Am Morgen zeigt das Thermometer starke Schwankungen zwischen zwei und acht Grad.
In the morning, the thermometer shows strong fluctuations between two and eight degrees.