German word

Umlauf

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊmlaʊ̯f/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncirculation

Example

Nach der Reform sind mehr Scheine im Umlauf.

After the reform, more banknotes are in circulation.

Illustration for Umlauf (circulation)

More examples

Die alten Münzen sind aus dem Umlauf geraten.

The old coins have fallen out of circulation.

Core concept

A thing travels around a system, passing from one point to another and remaining in motion.

Common phrases

  • in den Umlauf kommen

    come into circulation

  • aus dem Umlauf geraten

    fall out of circulation

Similar words

Zirkulation: The movement of money or documents through society from one place to another.
Verbreitung: The spread of information or rumors until many people know about them.
Geldverkehr: The system of money moving between businesses and banks during transactions.

Definition in German

Umlauf bezeichnet die Verbreitung oder das Zirkulieren von Gegenständen, Geld oder Informationen innerhalb eines Kreises oder Systems.

Word origin

Umlauf combines um, meaning 'around', with Lauf, related to laufen, 'to run', and developed from the older form umlouf.

Usage tips

  • The standard phrases are im Umlauf sein for being in circulation and etwas in Umlauf bringen for putting something into circulation.

Other meanings

  • cyclenoun
  • orbitnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • Umlaufbahnorbitnoun
  • Umlaufzeitcycle timenoun
  • umlaufenrevolveverb

Word lists with this word