01
der Takt
beat / meter
In music, the basic rhythmic unit that groups together a certain number of beats and determines the meter of a piece.
example
Der Walzer steht im Dreivierteltakt.
The waltz is in three-quarter time.
der Takt
beat / tact
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 05
Usage tips
Context clue
The many meanings of “Takt” (beat/tact) can be distinguished well by context. If it is about music, it means rhythm (m01). With machines or processes, it refers to frequency or intervals (m02). In social interaction, it refers to tactfulness (m03).
EXAMPLE
Bitte zeig ein wenig Takt und sprich das Thema nicht vor allen an.
Please show a little tact and don’t bring up the topic in front of everyone.
Fixed expression
The expression “jemanden aus dem Takt bringen” (to throw someone off rhythm) means to disturb or confuse someone. It can refer both to an actual rhythm and to a person’s concentration.
EXAMPLE
Die laute Musik hat mich beim Tanzen völlig aus dem Takt gebracht.
The loud music completely threw me off rhythm while dancing.
Usage pattern
In the meaning “Frequenz” (frequency), “Takt” (interval/rhythm) is very often used in the fixed structure “im [Zeiteinheit]-takt” (at [time unit] intervals). This then forms a new word.
EXAMPLE
Die U-Bahn fährt hier morgens im Fünfminutentakt.
The subway runs here every five minutes in the morning.
Typical collocations
When “Takt” (tact) means social sensitivity, it is often combined with verbs like “haben” (to have), “besitzen” (to possess), or “beweisen” (to demonstrate). A closely related and more common word is “das Taktgefühl” (tactfulness).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat viel Takt bewiesen, als sie die heikle Situation gelöst hat.
She showed a lot of tact when she resolved the delicate situation.
Sentence structure in music
In a musical context, the structure “im [Zahl]-takt” (in [number] time) or “im [Zahl/Zahl]-Takt” (in [number/number] time) is often used to describe the meter.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Lied ist im typischen Viervierteltakt geschrieben.
This song is written in typical four-four time.
Compare with
Takt vs Schlag
blow / stroke
'der Schlag' and 'der Takt' can both have to do with rhythm or regular sounds. A 'Schlag' is a single short sound, jolt, or impulse, for example in a clock or in a rhythm. 'Takt' means the regular structure or rhythm in which several beats belong together. Learners may confuse the words because in music you count beats, and a measure or meter is formed from them. Put simply: a Schlag is a single moment; the Takt is the pattern behind it.
Takt
Beim Tanzen verliert Max schnell den Takt.
When dancing, Max quickly loses the beat.
Schlag
Beim Schlag der alten Uhr wurde es im Zimmer ganz still.
At the strike of the old clock, the room became completely silent.
In real life
Loading video examples...