breath / puff
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breath
Colloquial for breath or the air needed for breathing, especially in the context of physical exertion. The phrase 'aus der Puste sein' means to be out of breath.
Nachdem ich zum Bus gerannt bin, war ich völlig aus der Puste.
After I ran to the bus, I was completely out of breath.
to run out of steam
An idiomatic expression meaning that someone runs out of energy, strength, money, or motivation for an activity that lasts a long time.
Gegen Ende des Marathons ist vielen Läufern die Puste ausgegangen.
Toward the end of the marathon, many runners ran out of steam.
'Puste' is a colloquial word for breath. It is used mainly in spoken language and in informal situations.
Warte kurz, ich muss erst wieder zu Puste kommen.
Wait a moment, I need to catch my breath first.
The noun 'die Puste' is closely related to the verb 'pusten' (to blow or puff). So it figuratively describes the air you need for blowing.
Das Kind pustete die Kerzen auf dem Geburtstagskuchen aus.
The child blew out the candles on the birthday cake.
When it is about physical exertion, the literal meaning 'breath' is meant. But when it is about long-term projects, finances, or motivation, the figurative meaning 'energy' or 'resources' is meant.
Beim Sprinten geht mir schnell die Puste aus.
When sprinting, I quickly run out of breath.
In the meaning of 'breath', 'Puste' is almost always used in the fixed expression 'aus der Puste sein' (to be out of breath) or 'aus der Puste kommen' (to get out of breath).
Nach drei Stockwerken Treppensteigen war ich komplett aus der Puste.
After climbing three flights of stairs, I was completely out of breath.
In the figurative meaning, the expression '(jemandem) geht die Puste aus' (someone runs out of steam) is used. The person who runs out of energy or money is always in the dative.
Dem kleinen Unternehmen ist nach der Krise finanziell die Puste ausgegangen.
After the crisis, the small company ran out of financial steam.
breath
Außer Atem and aus der Puste both describe rapid, heavy breathing after exertion. Atem is the neutral choice; Puste is colloquial and is used especially in the fixed expression „aus der Puste sein“.
Nach dem schnellen Lauf war Mia aus der Puste.
Mia was out of breath after the fast run.
Nach dem schnellen Lauf war Mia außer Atem.
Mia was out of breath after the fast run.
