01
der Rauch
smoke
The visible mixture of gases and fine particles that is produced when materials burn.
example
Dichter Rauch quoll aus dem brennenden Haus.
Thick smoke billowed out of the burning house.
der Rauch
smoke
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Der Rauch' (smoke) belongs to the word family of the verb 'rauchen' (to smoke). When something 'raucht' (smokes), it produces smoke. A person who smokes is a 'Raucher' (smoker).
EXAMPLE
Das Feuer im Kamin macht viel Rauch.
The fire in the fireplace makes a lot of smoke.
Typical collocations
Common adjectives that describe smoke are 'dichter' (thick), 'schwarzer' (black), or 'weißer' (white) smoke. A typical verb is 'aufsteigen' (to rise): smoke rises from the fire.
EXAMPLE
Über dem Wald stieg eine Säule aus schwarzem Rauch auf.
A column of black smoke rose above the forest.
Fixed expression
The expression 'in Rauch aufgehen' (to go up in smoke) is used figuratively. It means that something abstract, such as plans, hopes, or money, suddenly and completely disappears.
EXAMPLE
Sein ganzes Erspartes ist bei dem Börsencrash in Rauch aufgegangen.
All his savings went up in smoke in the stock market crash.
Fixed expression
'Schall und Rauch' (sound and smoke) is a fixed expression that is often used with 'sein' (to be) or 'sich erweisen als' (to prove to be). It describes something that turns out to be meaningless, empty, or fleeting, for example empty promises.
EXAMPLE
Seine Ankündigungen waren am Ende nur Schall und Rauch.
In the end, his announcements were nothing but sound and smoke.
Compare with
Rauch vs Nebel
fog
'Rauch' and 'Nebel' can look similar because both make the air visible and can reduce visibility. The difference is the cause. 'Rauch' is produced by fire or combustion and often has a strong smell. 'Nebel' is a weather phenomenon made of fine water droplets in the air. Learners may confuse the words if they only think of a gray cloud. Pay attention to the source: if it comes from fire, you say 'Rauch'. If it comes from the weather, you say 'Nebel'.
Rauch
Aus dem alten Kamin steigt dichter Rauch.
Thick smoke rises from the old chimney.
Nebel
Am Morgen liegt dichter Nebel über der Straße.
In the morning, thick fog lies over the road.
In real life
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