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.
'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.
air
'die Luft' and 'die Puste' can both have to do with breathing. 'Luft' is the neutral word for what you breathe in and out. 'Puste' is colloquial and refers more to a person's breath, especially after exertion. For example, you say 'aus der Puste sein' (to be out of breath) when someone barely has any breath left. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases you think of breathing. For the gas around us, you say 'Luft'. For your own breath during sports, climbing stairs, or when tired, 'Puste' sounds more natural.
Nach den vielen Treppen war Tom völlig aus der Puste.
After all those stairs, Tom was completely out of breath.
Bitte mach das Fenster auf, hier kommt kaum Luft herein.
Please open the window; hardly any air is coming in here.