traffic jam / backlog
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traffic jam
A build-up of vehicles on a road that can move only very slowly or not at all because of heavy traffic, an accident, or roadworks. A traffic congestion.
Wegen eines Unfalls auf der A3 standen wir zwei Stunden im Stau.
Because of an accident on the A3, we were stuck in a traffic jam for two hours.
The noun 'der Stau' (traffic jam/backlog) is closely related to the verb 'stauen' (to dam up / to build up). 'Stauen' means that something accumulates and cannot continue to flow. 'Der Stau' is the result of this blockage.
Auf der Autobahn staut sich der Verkehr auf mehreren Kilometern.
Traffic is backed up for several kilometers on the highway.
The most common meaning, 'Verkehrsstau' (traffic jam), has fixed phrases. You 'steht im Stau' (are stuck in traffic), 'gerät in einen Stau' (get caught in a traffic jam), or a traffic jam 'bildet sich' (forms) or 'löst sich auf' (clears up).
Wir sind auf dem Weg in den Urlaub in einen langen Stau geraten.
On the way to our vacation, we got caught in a long traffic jam.
Pay attention to the preposition 'in' and the case. German uses the dative for position ('im Stau stehen' — to be stuck in traffic) and the accusative for movement into the traffic jam ('in einen Stau fahren' — to drive into/get into a traffic jam).
Ich stehe seit einer Stunde im Stau und komme nicht voran.
I've been stuck in traffic for an hour and am not making any progress.
In the figurative meaning, 'Stau' is often the second part of compound nouns to describe a blockage or backlog. Examples are 'Reformstau' (reform backlog), 'Bearbeitungsstau' (processing backlog), or 'Datenstau' (data bottleneck).
In der Abteilung gibt es einen riesigen Bearbeitungsstau.
There is a huge processing backlog in the department.
The meaning 'Anstauung von Wasser' (damming up of water) is less common and becomes clear from the context. Words like 'Fluss' (river), 'Damm' (dam), 'See' (lake), or 'Wasserkraftwerk' (hydroelectric power plant) are clear clues.
Der Stau des Flusses erzeugt Energie für die ganze Region.
The impoundment of the river generates energy for the whole region.
queue / snake
'die Schlange' and 'der Stau' can both describe a situation in which many people or vehicles are waiting and moving forward slowly. 'Schlange' is used especially when individual people or vehicles are lined up in an orderly way, for example in front of a checkout or at a traffic light. 'Stau' is used mainly in traffic, when many vehicles on the road can barely move or cannot move at all. Learners may confuse the words because with cars, both can be possible. A short line at a traffic light is more likely a 'Schlange'; a long blockage on the highway is a 'Stau'.
Wegen eines Unfalls standen wir fast eine Stunde im Stau.
Because of an accident, we were stuck in traffic for almost an hour.
Vor der Bäckerei steht schon früh am Morgen eine lange Schlange.
There is already a long line in front of the bakery early in the morning.