oxygen
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oxygen
A chemical element (symbol O) that, as a colorless and odorless gas, is essential for the respiration of most living beings.
Beim Tauchen benötigt man eine Flasche mit komprimiertem Sauerstoff.
When diving, you need a tank with compressed oxygen.
The word is made up of 'sauer' (acidic/sour) and 'Stoff' (substance). The name comes from the historical assumption that this element was an essential component of all acids, that is, a 'saurer Stoff' (acidic substance).
Früher dachten Chemiker, Sauerstoff sei für die Bildung von Säuren verantwortlich.
Chemists used to think that oxygen was responsible for the formation of acids.
When 'Sauerstoff' (oxygen) is meant as a general substance, it is often used without an article. When talking about a specific amount or a specific place, the article is used.
Pflanzen produzieren Sauerstoff.
Plants produce oxygen.
Common verbs in connection with Sauerstoff are 'atmen' (to breathe), 'brauchen' (to need), and 'versorgen' (to supply/provide). It is also often described more precisely, for example as 'reiner Sauerstoff' (pure oxygen) or 'flüssiger Sauerstoff' (liquid oxygen).
Der Patient wurde sofort mit Sauerstoff versorgt.
The patient was immediately given oxygen.
air
'die Luft' and 'der Sauerstoff' are closely connected, but they are not the same thing. 'Luft' is the mixture of gases around us that we breathe in. 'Sauerstoff' is only one part of it and is especially important for breathing. Learners sometimes confuse the words because you need oxygen to live and get it through the air. In everyday language, people usually say 'frische Luft' (fresh air). 'Sauerstoff' is more precise in medicine, biology, technology, or when referring to the chemical gas.
Im Krankenhaus bekam der Patient zusätzlichen Sauerstoff.
In the hospital, the patient was given extra oxygen.
Nach dem Unterricht bin ich kurz nach draußen gegangen, weil ich frische Luft brauchte.
After class, I went outside for a moment because I needed some fresh air.