disruption / disorder
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malfunction
An interruption of normal operation or process, often in a technical sense; a malfunction or breakdown.
Wegen einer Störung im Netz gab es gestern Abend kein Internet.
Because of a malfunction in the network, there was no internet yesterday evening.
disturbance
An action that disrupts a person's peace, order, or concentration.
Entschuldigen Sie die Störung, aber ich habe eine dringende Frage.
Sorry for the disturbance, but I have an urgent question.
disorder
In a medical or psychological context, a pathological deviation from normal physical or mental function; an illness.
Die Patientin wird wegen einer Angststörung behandelt.
The patient is being treated for an anxiety disorder.
The noun 'die Störung' (disruption/disorder) is derived directly from the verb 'stören' (to disturb/disrupt). The ending '-ung' is often used in German to form a feminine noun from a verb that describes the action or the result of the verb.
Bitte stör mich nicht, ich muss mich konzentrieren.
Please don't disturb me; I need to concentrate.
The context helps you recognize the meaning of 'Störung' (disruption/disorder). Technical terms like 'Netz' (network) or 'Betrieb' (operation) point to a malfunction. An apology points to an interruption. Medical terms like 'Patient' (patient) or 'psychisch' (psychological/mental) point to an illness.
Aufgrund einer technischen Störung fällt der Zug heute aus.
Due to a technical malfunction, the train is canceled today.
In a technical context, 'Störung' (malfunction) is often used with certain verbs. Typical combinations are 'eine Störung beheben' (to fix a malfunction), 'eine Störung melden' (to report a malfunction), or 'eine Störung beseitigen' (to eliminate a malfunction).
Ein Techniker wurde gerufen, um die Störung zu beheben.
A technician was called to fix the malfunction.
The phrase 'Entschuldigen Sie die Störung' (sorry for the disturbance/interruption) is a very common and polite way to start a conversation or interrupt someone when you have a question or concern.
Entschuldigen Sie die Störung, wissen Sie, wie spät es ist?
Sorry for the disturbance, do you know what time it is?
In the medical and psychological field, 'Störung' (disorder) is often part of compound nouns that describe specific clinical conditions. Common examples are 'Essstörung' (eating disorder), 'Angststörung' (anxiety disorder), or 'Schlafstörung' (sleep disorder).
Viele Jugendliche leiden unter Schlafstörungen.
Many young people suffer from sleep disorders.
problem
Both das Problem and die Störung can refer to a difficulty in a technical system. „Störung“ emphasizes an interruption or impaired function, while „Problem“ is more general and also emphasizes the need for a solution. Report an interruption in functioning as a „Störung“; for the broader difficulty, „Problem“ is often the right choice.
Wegen einer Störung gibt der Fahrkartenautomat heute keine Karten aus.
Because of a malfunction, the ticket machine is not dispensing any tickets today.
Das Problem mit dem Fahrkartenautomaten muss heute noch gelöst werden.
The problem with the ticket machine has to be solved today.
