Last week, we examined the nouns and verbs for certain noises that are produced in nature and by animals. Now we're going to follow this up with words for sounds produced by humans and machines, though not exclusively.

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The verb klirren is often used for metal objects that are colliding. The noun is das Klirren. 

Auch wenn kein Schwert mehr klirrt ...

Even if no sword clangs anymore...

Caption 77, Jacob rezitiert: Mascha Kaléko

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Last week, we looked at das Summen, which is one type of hum that humans and bees are capable of. But for a constant, low mechanical sound, das Brummen may be more appropriate. 

Hörst du das Brummen im Hintergrund?

Do you hear the hum in the background?

Caption 51, Deutsch mit Eylin: Umzug nach Ottensen

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There are so many words for various types of loud and abrupt sounds:  

Plötzlich gab es einen Knall und Piggeldy sauste senkrecht in die Luft.

Suddenly, there was a bang and Piggeldy sprang directly up into the air.

Caption 31, Piggeldy und Frederick: Autofahren

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Bums, und sie fielen auf der anderen Seite hinunter.

Thud, and they fell down the other side.

Caption 22, Piggeldy und Frederick: Der Mond

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Immer ein Pochen bis zum Hals bei dir, bei dir.

Always a pounding up to the neck with you, with you.

Caption 2, LOTTE: Schau mich nicht so an

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Es folgte ein vorsichtiges Klopfen an der Tür.

It was followed by a gentle knock at the door.

Caption 40, Märchen - Sagenhaft: Der Froschkönig

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The human voice is capable of a vast range of sounds, which are used here to anthropomorphize the wind.

Und der, wenn er wild wird, uns Sand in die Augen weht und uns vorwärts schiebt und singt und klagt und heult und ächzt und stöhnt und braust und brüllt."

And the one that, when he becomes wild, blows sand into our eyes and pushes us forward and sings and moans and howls and groans and sighs and blusters and bellows.

Captions 17-19, Piggeldy und Frederick Der Wind

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Und auch am Silbenende wird es zischend ausgesprochen.

And at the end of a syllable, too, it is pronounced with a hissing sound.

Caption 26, Deutsch mit Eylin: S und Z - Part 2

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Further Learning
You can find more examples of these words on Yabla German and even look up a few more, such as das Klacken and das Knirschen. 

In German, there are several different ways to talk about avoiding something or someone. 

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The verb that is used most often is probably vermeiden. You can use it to describe avoiding a situation or something you have to do. 

So vermeidest du am leichtesten eine peinliche Situation,

That's the easiest way for you to avoid an embarrassing situation

Caption 62, Deutsch mit Eylin: Tischsitten

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Der Schreiadler vermeidet die Konfrontation.

The lesser spotted eagle avoids confrontation.

Caption 16, Expeditionen ins Tierreich: Die Feldberger Seen

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Habe das einmal sieben, habe ich lang vermieden.

For a long time, I avoided the seven times table. 

Caption 83, Nena: Das 1x1 mit den Hits von NENA

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The verb meiden is similar, but generally used to describe staying away from something or someone, rather than an active effort to avoid doing something. 

Selbst Murmeltiere meiden diese Gegend.

Even marmots avoid this area.

Caption 17, Die letzten Paradiese - Schätze der Natur: Südtirol 

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The verb ausweichen is used when it comes to physically avoiding something in the sense of dodging it. 

Wildwasserkajaks sind extrem wendig, um den vielen Hindernissen im Fluss rasch ausweichen zu können.

Whitewater kayaks are extremely maneuverable so that they can quickly dodge the many obstacles in the river.

Captions 41-42, Die letzten Paradiese: Die Schönheit der Alpen 2

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When it comes to avoiding a person, there is also the phrase (jemandem) aus dem Weg gehen. 

Ich geh dir aus dem Weg, will dich ignorieren.

I avoid you, I want to ignore you.

Caption 7, LOTTE: Schau mich nicht so an

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Further Learning
Use each of these verbs in a sentence, or look up more examples with vermeiden on Yabla German.