There is something in the air in Germany. Literally.
No matter the time of year - whether it's blazing sunshine or snowing - Germans are on high alert for an invisible, possibly deadly force. And that is Zugluft.
The German dictionary describes Zugluft as an "unpleasant (usually cold) air movement in buildings". In English it's a draft (or draught in British English).
Die Zugluft - pronounced like this - is made up of the words Zug (train) and Luft (air), and it's no laughing matter. It can enter through windows, doors or even... air conditioning systems. Which is perhaps part of why you don't find many AC units in Germany.
There are some strong cultural differences when it comes to this concept.
While people in the UK or US might barely notice a stream of cold air, in Germany, exposure to Zugluft – also known as Durchzug or Luftzug – is often blamed for a wide range of health issues.
Got a runny nose? The flu? That's probably the Zugluft. Muscle aches? Tension? Sore neck? You guessed it - that's the air.
READ ALSO: Are Germany’s hygiene obsessions really backed by science?
You might also hear another common phrase when Germans are talking about streams of cold air. The phrase "es zieht" translates to "there is a draft" or "it's drafty" in English. It literally means "it pulls".
We should point out that it's not just Germans who take drafts of air seriously. In many other countries, including elsewhere in Europe, children grow up warned against this force of nature. They are urged to cover their necks and never, for goodness' sake, go out with wet hair.
They might have a point to some extent, but science maintains that viruses and bacterial infections cause colds, not drafts of air.
Still, that doesn't deter the Germans. There is a ton of advice out there, including in magazines and online, giving tips on how to avoid Zugluft.
You can install a Zugluftstopper for your door or thermal curtains, for example.
Don't Germans love air streams?
To make things a bit confusing (for foreigners), the Germans equally love fresh air.
The mandatory airing out of rooms (Lüften) is literally written into rental contracts. On winter days when the temperature drops below zero, Germans still require that you fling your windows wide open and air out the room.
Regular ventilation of rooms aids air circulation and even became a key focus during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Just make sure when you are performing your Lüften duties that you don't stay in the cold air too long.
READ ALSO: Why Germans are obsessed with the art of airing out a room
Use it like this:
Er hatte von der Zugluft im Korridor eine Erkältung bekommen.
He caught a cold from the draft in the corridor.
Schnell, mach das Fenster zu! Es zieht!
Quick, shut the window! There's a draft!
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