Spannung

tension

noun SHPAN-nung Less Common

Also means

voltage

Usage Note

Spannung runs from physical and emotional tension to electrical voltage (Hochspannung is 'high voltage') and narrative suspense (a thriller is spannend). It derives from spannen ('to stretch, tighten'). Plural Spannungen often means political 'tensions' between parties or states.

Examples

"Die Spannung im Raum war spürbar."

Natural Translation

The tension in the room was palpable.

Literal Translation

The tension in-the room was palpable.

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