01
der Stillstand
standstill
A state in which all movement or activity has stopped.
example
Ein technischer Defekt führte zum Stillstand der gesamten Produktionsanlage.
A technical defect brought the entire production facility to a standstill.
der Stillstand
standstill
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound structure
'Stillstand' (standstill) is made up of the adjective 'still' (quiet, without movement) and the noun 'der Stand' (state/standing). It literally describes a state in which everything is standing still.
EXAMPLE
Ein Stromausfall führte zum plötzlichen Stillstand der Maschinen.
A power outage led to the sudden standstill of the machines.
Fixed expressions
'Stillstand' (standstill) is very commonly used with the verbs 'kommen' (to come) and 'bringen' (to bring): 'zum Stillstand kommen' means that something stops on its own, and 'etwas zum Stillstand bringen' means that someone or something actively stops it.
EXAMPLE
Der Zug kam quietschend zum Stillstand.
The train came screeching to a standstill.
Medical context
In medicine, 'Stillstand' (arrest/standstill) is almost always used as part of a compound to name the stopping of a vital function. Typical examples are 'Herzstillstand' (cardiac arrest), 'Atemstillstand' (respiratory arrest), and 'Kreislaufstillstand' (circulatory arrest).
EXAMPLE
Der Notarzt wurde wegen eines Herzstillstands gerufen.
The emergency doctor was called because of a cardiac arrest.
Figurative meaning
In a figurative sense, 'Stillstand' (standstill) describes a lack of progress. It is often combined with abstract nouns like 'Wirtschaft' (economy), 'Politik' (politics), or 'Verhandlungen' (negotiations).
EXAMPLE
Nach wochenlangen Debatten herrscht in der Regierung nun Stillstand.
After weeks of debate, there is now standstill in the government.
Compare with
Stillstand vs Entwicklung
development
'die Entwicklung' and 'der Stillstand' are opposites here. 'Entwicklung' means that something changes, grows, or makes progress. 'Stillstand' means that nothing is moving forward and no important change is happening. The contrast is especially clear in work, politics, the economy, or personal learning. When something becomes better or different, you use 'Entwicklung'. When everything stays the same and no progress happens, you use 'Stillstand'.
Stillstand
Am Montag gab es bei den Verhandlungen einen Stillstand.
On Monday, the negotiations came to a standstill.
Entwicklung
Nach der Arbeit liest er einen Bericht über die Entwicklung des neuen Stadtteils.
After work, he reads a report about the development of the new district.
In real life
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