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
die Periode
period
A specific, often completed span of time in history, art, or a person's life.
EXAMPLE
Die blaue Periode ist eine bekannte Schaffensphase von Picasso.
The Blue Period is a well-known creative phase of Picasso's.
die Periode
period
In physics or mathematics, the amount of time that a regularly repeating process needs for one complete cycle.
EXAMPLE
Die Periode eines Pendels hängt von seiner Länge ab.
The period of a pendulum depends on its length.
die Periode
periodic sentence
In grammar and rhetoric, a long, artfully constructed sentence structure consisting of several main and subordinate clauses.
EXAMPLE
Der Autor ist bekannt für seine komplexen, verschachtelten Perioden.
The author is known for his complex, nested periodic sentences.
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 Regel
rule / period
Regel and Periode refer here to the same monthly bleeding. Periode is the usual neutral term in everyday speech. Regel sounds more euphemistic and colloquial, and is also partly regional or old-fashioned.
Periode
Lea sagt direkt, dass sie gerade ihre Periode hat.
Lea says directly that she has her period right now.
Regel
Lea sagt etwas verhüllend, dass sie gerade ihre Regel hat.
Lea says, somewhat euphemistically, that she has her period right now.
In real life
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