01
die Periode
period
The monthly bleeding in women of childbearing age; menstruation.
example
Viele Frauen haben während ihrer Periode leichte Bauchschmerzen.
Many women have mild abdominal pain during their period.
die Periode
period
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Meanings
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Usage tips
False friend
Careful: 'die Periode' (period) in German never means the punctuation mark (.). The English word 'period' has this meaning, but in German the sign is called 'der Punkt' (full stop/period).
EXAMPLE
Ein deutscher Satz endet mit einem Punkt.
A German sentence ends with a full stop.
Meaning from context
Although 'Periode' (period) has many meanings, the context is usually very clear. If you are talking about the body, menstruation is meant. If you are talking about history or art, a span of time is meant.
EXAMPLE
Die Barockzeit war eine wichtige Periode der europäischen Kunstgeschichte.
The Baroque era was an important period in European art history.
Typical verbs
In connection with menstruation, the verbs 'haben' (to have) and 'bekommen' (to get) are used. You 'hat' seine Periode (have your period) or 'bekommt' sie (get it).
EXAMPLE
Normalerweise bekomme ich meine Periode immer am Monatsanfang.
Normally I always get my period at the beginning of the month.
Describing periods of time
When 'Periode' (period) describes a span of time, it is often specified more precisely with a genitive or an adjective. Examples are 'eine Periode des Friedens' (a period of peace) or 'die romantische Periode' (the Romantic period).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Krieg folgte eine lange Periode des Wiederaufbaus.
After the war, a long period of reconstruction followed.
Technical usage
In physics and mathematics, 'Periode' (period) is a technical term for the duration of a repeating process. This meaning is used almost only in a scientific or school context.
EXAMPLE
Im Physikunterricht haben wir die Periode einer Schwingung berechnet.
In physics class, we calculated the period of an oscillation.
Compare with
Periode vs Zeit
time
'die Zeit' and 'die Periode' can both mean a span of time that lasts for a while. 'Zeit' is the normal, very general word for almost any period: 'eine gute Zeit' (a good time), 'eine schwere Zeit' (a difficult time), or 'die Zeit im Urlaub' (the time on vacation). 'Periode' sounds more precise and somewhat more formal. It is often used for clearly defined periods in history, art, or life. Learners may confuse the words because both can mean 'period'. In everyday language, 'Zeit' is usually a better fit; 'Periode' is more suitable when you want to describe or classify a specific period.
Periode
Diese Periode in der Stadtgeschichte war von vielen Veränderungen geprägt.
This period in the city's history was shaped by many changes.
Zeit
Nach dem Umzug hatte Sarah eine anstrengende Zeit.
After the move, Sarah had a stressful time.
In real life
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