water level
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water level
The height of the water surface of a body of water (e.g., a river, lake, or the sea) at a specific point and at a specific time.
Wegen des Dauerregens ist der Wasserstand des Rheins bedrohlich angestiegen.
Because of the continuous rain, the water level of the Rhine has risen alarmingly.
The word is made up of 'Wasser' (water) and 'Stand' (level/state). Here, 'Stand' means 'height' or 'level'. So the meaning is literally the 'height of the water'.
Der Wasserstand des Sees wird täglich kontrolliert.
The water level of the lake is checked daily.
In connection with the water level of a body of water, the verbs 'steigen' (to rise), 'sinken' (to fall/drop), and 'messen' (to measure) are often used. Typical adjectives are 'hoch' (high), 'niedrig' (low), or 'kritisch' (critical).
Der Wasserstand des Flusses ist über Nacht stark gestiegen.
The water level of the river rose sharply overnight.
The expression 'Wasserstand melden' is a metaphor from working life. It means to give a brief report on the progress of a project or task.
Gib mir bitte bis heute Abend eine kurze Wasserstandsmeldung zum Projekt.
Please give me a brief status update on the project by this evening.
status / stand
'der Stand' and 'der Wasserstand' can both say something about a current height, level, or progress. 'Stand' is general and often means the current state or progress of something, for example in a project. 'Wasserstand' literally means the water level in a river, lake, or sea. Colloquially, there is also the expression 'Wasserstand melden' (to give a status update). In that case, it means a brief report on the current status of a task. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with the current state. Without water or this fixed expression, 'Stand' is usually the right word.
Am Telefon meldet der Chef kurz Wasserstand zum neuen Auftrag.
On the phone, the boss briefly gives a status update on the new order.
Nach dem Gespräch erklärt sie dem Team den aktuellen Stand des Projekts.
After the conversation, she explains the current status of the project to the team.