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der Ventilator
fan
An electric device with rotating blades that creates an airflow to cool or ventilate a room.
example
Weil es so heiß war, lief der Ventilator die ganze Nacht.
Because it was so hot, the fan ran all night.
der Ventilator
fan
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Meanings
Usage tips
Typical verbs
In everyday language, a Ventilator (fan) is 'angemacht' (turned on) or 'ausgemacht' (turned off). In more formal contexts or in instructions, you use 'einschalten' (to switch on) and 'ausschalten' (to switch off). When it is in operation, you say: 'Der Ventilator läuft' (the fan is running).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du bitte den Ventilator anmachen? Es ist so warm hier.
Can you please turn on the fan? It's so warm in here.
Setting the speed
To describe the strength of the airflow, you use the construction 'den Ventilator auf Stufe [Zahl] stellen' (to set the fan to level [number]) or 'auf Stufe [Zahl] laufen lassen' (to let it run on level [number]).
EXAMPLE
Stell den Ventilator bitte auf Stufe zwei, das reicht völlig.
Please set the fan to level two; that's more than enough.
Cultural context
In Germany, air conditioning is rather rare in private apartments. That is why the Ventilator (fan) is a very common and important device in summer for keeping cool.
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer sind Ventilatoren in den Elektromärkten oft schnell ausverkauft.
In summer, fans are often quickly sold out in electronics stores.
Compare with
Ventilator vs Fächer
fan / range
'der Fächer' and 'der Ventilator' both have to do with cool air. The difference is very practical: you hold a 'Fächer' in your hand and move it back and forth yourself. A 'Ventilator' is an electric device that moves air with blades. Learners may confuse the words because both help in hot weather. In everyday language, you say 'Fächer' when you mean a small, foldable object. You say 'Ventilator' when a device is running on a table, on the floor, or on the ceiling.
Ventilator
Zu Hause läuft der Ventilator den ganzen Nachmittag im Arbeitszimmer.
At home, the fan runs in the study all afternoon.
Fächer
Bei der Hochzeit nahm Maria einen Fächer mit, weil es im Saal sehr warm war.
Maria brought a fan to the wedding because it was very warm in the hall.
In real life
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