pollen
Loading your saved state.
pollen
The fine, usually yellow flower dust from plants that is necessary for pollination and triggers allergies in some people. The singular is often used collectively for a mass of pollen.
Im Frühling ist die Luft voller Pollen, was für Allergiker eine schwere Zeit ist.
In spring, the air is full of pollen, which makes it a difficult time for allergy sufferers.
'Pollen' (pollen) is often the first part of compound nouns that have to do with allergies. When you see the word 'Pollen-' at the beginning, it usually points to this topic.
Der Pollenflugkalender zeigt an, wann welche Pflanzen blühen.
The pollen count calendar shows when which plants are blooming.
In everyday language, 'der Pollen' (pollen) is usually used in the singular as an uncountable noun to describe the entire mass of flower dust in the air. The plural 'die Pollen' is used more in scientific contexts for individual grains or types.
Dieses Jahr ist die Belastung durch Pollen besonders hoch.
This year, the pollen burden is especially high.
In connection with allergies, 'Pollen' (pollen) is often combined with certain verbs and expressions. You will often hear 'allergisch gegen Pollen sein' (to be allergic to pollen), 'unter dem Pollenflug leiden' (to suffer from airborne pollen), or 'die Pollen fliegen' (the pollen is in the air).
Ich kann im Frühling kaum lüften, weil ich allergisch gegen Pollen bin.
I can hardly air out the room in spring because I'm allergic to pollen.
dust
'der Staub' and 'der Pollen' are both very fine particles that can be in the air or lie on surfaces. But 'Staub' is more general: it can consist of earth, dirt, or many other dry materials. 'Pollen' comes from plants and is flower dust. People often talk about pollen especially in spring because it can trigger allergies. Learners may confuse the words because pollen can look like dust. If the particles come from flowers, trees, or grasses, 'Pollen' is more precise. Otherwise, you usually say 'Staub'.
Wegen der Pollen muss Lisa im Frühling oft niesen.
Because of the pollen, Lisa often has to sneeze in spring.
Auf dem alten Regal liegt eine dicke Schicht Staub.
There is a thick layer of dust on the old shelf.