flood / deluge
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the Flood
The great, all-inundating flood that, according to biblical tradition and other myths, covered the earth.
In der Geschichte von der Arche Noah überlebten nur wenige die Sintflut.
In the story of Noah's Ark, only a few survived the Flood.
deluge
Figuratively, an extremely heavy, long-lasting rainfall.
Auf dem Festival wurden wir von einer wahren Sintflut überrascht.
At the festival, we were surprised by a real deluge.
flood / deluge
A huge, barely manageable amount or flood of something.
Nach der Ankündigung erhielt das Unternehmen eine Sintflut von Bewerbungen.
After the announcement, the company received a flood of applications.
The word comes from Middle High German 'sinvluot'. The prefix 'sin-' meant 'always, continuous, comprehensive.' A 'Sintflut' (flood/deluge) is therefore literally an all-encompassing flood.
Die Legende einer großen Sintflut findet sich in vielen alten Kulturen.
The legend of a great flood is found in many ancient cultures.
The meanings for heavy rain or a large quantity are figurative extensions of the original biblical meaning. The word is used as a strong exaggeration (hyperbole) to describe an extreme situation.
Als das Konzert begann, setzte eine Sintflut ein und alle wurden nass.
When the concert began, a deluge set in and everyone got wet.
The adjective 'sintflutartig' (torrential) is derived from the noun 'Sintflut' (flood/deluge). It is often used to describe extremely heavy rain.
Wegen sintflutartiger Regenfälle mussten mehrere Straßen gesperrt werden.
Because of torrential rainfall, several roads had to be closed.
When 'Sintflut' (flood/deluge) describes a large amount of something, it is usually used with the preposition 'von' (of) or 'an' (of/in) followed by the dative.
Nach der Rede erhielt er eine Sintflut von Glückwünschen.
After the speech, he received a flood of congratulations.
tide / flood
Flut and Sintflut can both refer to an amount that is almost impossible to handle. Flut is the ordinary, less conspicuous expression. Because of the image of a flood covering everything, Sintflut sounds deliberately exaggerated and suits a particularly dramatic portrayal.
Nach dem Aufruf brach eine wahre Sintflut von Zuschriften über die Redaktion herein.
After the appeal, a veritable deluge of letters descended on the editorial office.
Nach dem Aufruf ging bei der Redaktion eine Flut von Zuschriften ein.
After the appeal, the editorial office received a flood of letters.
