01
der Twist
twist
An unexpected and surprising turn in the plot of a film, book, or story.
example
Der Film ist gut, aber der Twist am Ende ist das Beste daran.
The film is good, but the twist at the end is the best thing about it.
der Twist
twist / dispute
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Meanings
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Usage tips
English loanword
'Twist' is a word from English and is therefore also pronounced the English way. The original meaning 'Drehung' (turn/twist) or 'Wendung' (turn) is reflected in all German uses.
EXAMPLE
Der unerwartete Twist hat die ganze Handlung verändert.
The unexpected twist changed the whole plot.
Meaning in context
You can easily tell which meaning is intended from the context. In connection with films or books, it is about a plot twist; with music and parties, it is about the dance style; and in personal conversations, it often means a dispute.
EXAMPLE
Der Twist in der Serie war wirklich genial.
The twist in the series was really brilliant.
Typical collocations
When it is about a plot twist, 'Twist' (twist) is often combined with adjectives like 'überraschend' (surprising), 'unerwartet' (unexpected), or 'genial' (brilliant). A common phrase is also 'der Twist am Ende' (the twist at the end).
EXAMPLE
Die Geschichte hat einen wirklich überraschenden Twist.
The story has a really surprising twist.
Fixed expression
The dance from the 60s is almost always used with the verb 'tanzen' (to dance) in the fixed expression 'den Twist tanzen' (to dance the twist).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir zeigen, wie man den Twist tanzt?
Can you show me how to dance the twist?
Colloquial usage
The meaning 'Streit' (argument/dispute) or 'Meinungsverschiedenheit' (disagreement) is colloquial. It is usually used in informal conversations to describe a smaller, not very serious conflict.
EXAMPLE
Wegen dieser Kleinigkeit fangen wir doch jetzt keinen Twist an.
We're not going to start a dispute over this little thing.
Compare with
Twist vs Streit
argument / dispute
'Streit' and 'Twist' can both mean a disagreement or dispute. 'Streit' is the normal and neutral word and fits in almost all everyday situations. 'Twist' is colloquial in this meaning and sounds more casual or somewhat informal. That is why 'Twist' is used more in conversation, but not in formal texts. Important: 'Twist' also has other meanings, but here it is only about the colloquial meaning as a dispute.
Twist
Nach dem kleinen Twist im Team haben sich alle wieder beruhigt.
After the small dispute in the team, everyone calmed down again.
Streit
Am Morgen gab es einen Streit, weil niemand den Müll rausgebracht hatte.
In the morning, there was an argument because no one had taken out the trash.
In real life
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