revolution / rotation
die Umdrehung, die Umdrehungen
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revolution / rotation
The complete rotation of an object around an axis or a central point. Often used as a unit of measurement for rotational speed.
Der Motor läuft mit 3000 Umdrehungen pro Minute.
The engine runs at 3,000 revolutions per minute.
to get worked up
Colloquial for a state of hectic activity, excitement, or nervous energy.
Wegen der unerwarteten Prüfungsvorbereitung kam die ganze Klasse in Umdrehungen.
Because of the unexpected exam preparation, the whole class got worked up.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Umdrehungen |
| genitive | der Umdrehung |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Umdrehung | die Umdrehungen |
| accusative | die Umdrehung | die Umdrehungen |
| dative | der Umdrehung | den Umdrehungen |
| genitive | der Umdrehung | der Umdrehungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is made up of the prefix 'um-' and the noun 'Drehung' (rotation/turn). 'Um-' describes a circular movement, and 'Drehung' comes from the verb 'drehen' (to turn). So 'Umdrehung' (revolution/rotation) is literally a complete turn around a point.
Die Erde macht in 24 Stunden eine Umdrehung um sich selbst.
The Earth makes one rotation around itself in 24 hours.
In technical contexts, the word is often used as a unit of measurement for speed, usually in the fixed combination 'Umdrehungen pro Minute' (revolutions per minute). The abbreviation for this is 'U/min' (rpm).
Die Waschmaschine schleudert mit 1400 Umdrehungen pro Minute.
The washing machine spins at 1,400 revolutions per minute.
The colloquial meaning of hectic activity or excitement exists only in the fixed expressions 'in Umdrehungen kommen' (to get worked up/hectic) and 'in Umdrehungen sein' (to be worked up/hectic).
Vor der Präsentation war der Redner sichtlich in Umdrehungen.
Before the presentation, the speaker was visibly worked up.
trick / shoot / turn
Der Dreh and die Umdrehung can both refer to a rotation. Umdrehung normally clearly means one complete turn around an axis, while Dreh can also refer to a less precisely defined movement. Use Umdrehung for exactly one full turn and Dreh for a general or informal description.
Für eine vollständige Umdrehung muss sich das Rad einmal um die eigene Achse drehen.
For one complete revolution, the wheel must rotate once around its own axis.
Mit einem kleinen Dreh nach rechts wurde der Wasserhahn geschlossen.
The faucet was turned off with a small twist to the right.
