pain threshold
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pain threshold
The highest level of a stimulus (e.g., volume, pressure, heat) that a person can tolerate before feeling pain.
Die laute Musik im Club hat meine Schmerzgrenze schnell erreicht.
The loud music in the club quickly reached my pain threshold.
The word is made up of 'der Schmerz' (pain) and 'die Grenze' (limit/border). So it literally describes the limit from which something becomes painful.
Beim Zahnarzt war meine Schmerzgrenze schnell erreicht.
At the dentist's, my pain threshold was reached quickly.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: if it is about physical stimuli such as noise, heat, or pressure, the literal meaning (m01) is meant. If it is about prices, negotiations, or unacceptable behavior, the figurative meaning (m02) is meant.
Der Lärmpegel überschritt die gesetzliche Schmerzgrenze.
The noise level exceeded the legal pain threshold.
In the literal meaning, 'Schmerzgrenze' (pain threshold) is often used with verbs such as 'erreichen' (to reach), 'überschreiten' (to exceed), or the expression 'an die Schmerzgrenze gehen' (to go to one's pain threshold).
Sportler gehen im Training oft bewusst an ihre Schmerzgrenze.
Athletes often deliberately go to their pain threshold in training.
In price negotiations, the formulation 'Meine Schmerzgrenze liegt bei ...' (My limit is ...) is very common for expressing a final offer.
Ich kann nicht mehr als 200 Euro bezahlen, da liegt meine Schmerzgrenze.
I can't pay more than 200 euros; that's my limit.
limit
'das Limit' and 'die Schmerzgrenze' can both mean an outermost limit. 'Limit' is neutral and can refer to money, performance, time, or an allowed quantity. 'Schmerzgrenze' is stronger and more personal: it describes what someone can just barely endure, accept, or pay. This can be meant physically, but also figuratively. The words can be confused because both express a maximum. 'Limit' sounds more factual, while 'Schmerzgrenze' emphasizes strain or personal tolerance.
Bei dieser Miete ist meine Schmerzgrenze erreicht.
With this rent, my limit has been reached.
Beim Training kennt Max sein Limit und macht rechtzeitig eine Pause.
When training, Max knows his limit and takes a break in time.