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
der Stillstand
standstill
A state without progress, development, or change, often in an economic, political, or personal context; stagnation.
EXAMPLE
Die Verhandlungen sind zu einem Stillstand gekommen, da keine Seite nachgeben will.
The negotiations have come to a standstill because neither side wants to give in.
der Stillstand
arrest
In medicine, the stopping of a vital bodily function, such as the heartbeat or breathing.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Unfall kam es bei dem Patienten zu einem Atemstillstand.
After the accident, the patient suffered respiratory arrest.
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 Stille
silence / stillness
Both words can fit a situation in which nothing is happening anymore. Stille emphasizes the overall sense of quiet and motionlessness, whereas Stillstand refers to the concrete stopping of a movement or activity. Stille is suitable for a quiet room, while Stillstand is used for a stopped machine or activity.
Stillstand
Nach dem Stromausfall kam der Aufzug zum Stillstand.
After the power outage, the elevator came to a standstill.
Stille
Nach dem Stromausfall herrschte im Gebäude eine unheimliche Stille.
After the power outage, an eerie silence filled the building.
In real life
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