German word

Strom

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃtʁoːm/

Meaning

  • masculine nounelectricity

Example

Der Strom ist heute ausgefallen.

The electricity went out today.

Illustration for Strom (electricity)

More examples

Wir sollten unseren Stromverbrauch senken.

We should reduce our electricity consumption.

Core concept

A moving current travels along a defined path, like water in a river or charge in a cable.

Common phrases

  • Stromausfall

    power outage

  • Stromverbrauch

    electricity consumption

  • Stromrechnung

    electricity bill

Similar words

Elektrizität: The broad concept of electrical energy and related phenomena.
Stromausfall: A temporary interruption that makes electricity unavailable.
Stromkosten: Charges billed for the electricity used.
Stromversorgung: The system or service that delivers electricity to homes and facilities.

Definition in German

Elektrizität; die Bewegung elektrischer Ladung, die in Leitungen genutzt wird.

Word origin

The German noun Strom comes from Proto-Germanic *straumaz, a word for a flowing stream that later gained its electrical sense.

Usage tips

  • In general statements about household electricity, German often uses Strom without an article, as in Strom ist teuer.

Other meanings

  • currentnoun
  • flownoun

Opposites

  • Strommangelelectricity shortagenoun
  • Stromlosigkeitlack of electricitynoun

Related words

  • Stromversorgungelectricity supplynoun
  • stromloswithout electricityadjective
  • Stromnetzpower gridnoun

Word lists with this word