Meaning
To experience stress or demands from a situation.
Cultural Background
The 'Leistungsgesellschaft' (achievement society) means that being 'unter Druck' is often discussed as a badge of hard work, but also a health concern. Swiss work culture is highly precise. 'Zeitdruck' (time pressure) is taken very seriously due to the cultural value of punctuality. In Vienna, there is a concept called 'Gemütlichkeit' which is the opposite of 'unter Druck stehen'. People often complain about pressure to emphasize how much they value their coffee breaks. The phrase is increasingly used in the context of 'Burnout-Prävention' (burnout prevention) in German-speaking HR departments.
Use Adjectives
To sound more like a native, add adjectives: 'zeitlich', 'finanziell', 'enorm', 'gewaltig'.
Verb Choice
Never use 'sein'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers. Always 'stehen'.
Meaning
To experience stress or demands from a situation.
Use Adjectives
To sound more like a native, add adjectives: 'zeitlich', 'finanziell', 'enorm', 'gewaltig'.
Verb Choice
Never use 'sein'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers. Always 'stehen'.
Complaining is Bonding
In Germany, talking about being 'unter Druck' is a common way to bond with colleagues over shared stress.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct verb form of 'stehen'.
Gestern ______ ich wegen der Deadline total unter Druck.
The sentence refers to 'Gestern' (yesterday), so the Präteritum 'stand' is required.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
In German, the fixed collocation is always with the verb 'stehen'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum kommst du nicht mit? B: Sorry, ich ______ gerade massiv unter Druck.
The present tense 'stehe' fits the context of 'gerade' (right now).
Match the situation to the phrase.
Ein {der|m} Chef sagt zu seinem {der|m} Mitarbeiter: 'Das muss bis 12 Uhr fertig sein!'
The employee is the one facing the deadline and the pressure.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern ______ ich wegen der Deadline total unter Druck.
The sentence refers to 'Gestern' (yesterday), so the Präteritum 'stand' is required.
Choose the correct option:
In German, the fixed collocation is always with the verb 'stehen'.
A: Warum kommst du nicht mit? B: Sorry, ich ______ gerade massiv unter Druck.
The present tense 'stehe' fits the context of 'gerade' (right now).
Ein {der|m} Chef sagt zu seinem {der|m} Mitarbeiter: 'Das muss bis 12 Uhr fertig sein!'
The employee is the one facing the deadline and the pressure.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually yes, it implies stress. However, some people say they work better 'unter Druck'.
Yes, e.g., 'Das {das|n} Wasser steht unter Druck', but it's mostly used figuratively for people.
'Stress' is the general feeling; 'Druck' is the specific force (deadline, boss) causing it.
You say 'Ich setze mich selbst unter Druck'.
Yes, it's very common in professional emails to explain delays.
No, that sounds like you need to go to the bathroom or have physical pain.
It's a compound noun meaning 'time pressure'. 'Ich stehe unter Zeitdruck.'
Ich stand, du standest, er stand. Perfect: Ich habe gestanden.
Yes, like a {die|f} Gasflasche (gas cylinder) or a {die|f} Brücke (bridge).
There isn't one direct idiom, but 'entspannt sein' or 'keinen Druck haben' works.
Related Phrases
unter Zugzwang stehen
similarTo be forced to make a move (from Chess).
jemanden unter Druck setzen
builds onTo pressure someone.
dem {der|m} Druck nachgeben
contrastTo cave in to pressure.
Stress haben
synonymTo have stress.
