cover / coverage
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cover
An object used to cover something in order to protect it, hide it, or close it off. This can be a tarp, a lid, or a panel.
Nach dem Grillen solltest du die Abdeckung wieder auf den Grill legen.
After grilling, you should put the cover back on the grill.
coverage
The scope or extent to which a topic, event, or area is covered. This often refers to media coverage or the availability of a service, such as mobile phone service.
Die mediale Abdeckung der Wahl war in diesem Jahr besonders hoch.
Media coverage of the election was especially extensive this year.
hedging / coverage
In finance and business, the settlement of debts or protection against financial risks.
Das Unternehmen nutzt Derivate zur Abdeckung von Währungsrisiken.
The company uses derivatives to hedge against currency risks.
'Die Abdeckung' is the noun form of the verb 'abdecken' (to cover). The different meanings of the noun (covering something, covering a topic, hedging a risk) correspond directly to the uses of the verb.
Bitte deck die Gartenmöbel mit der Abdeckung ab.
Please cover the garden furniture with the cover.
The meaning is easy to work out from context. If it is about objects (pool, grill), it means physical protection. With media or mobile phone networks, it is about the extent of reporting or service availability. In finance, it is about hedging risks.
Die Abdeckung für das Cabriolet ist im Kofferraum.
The cover for the convertible is in the trunk.
In the literal sense, 'Abdeckung' is often used with verbs such as 'entfernen' (to remove), 'anbringen' (to attach), or 'auflegen' (to put on). People often talk about the 'Abdeckung' (cover) for a pool, a grill, or an electrical outlet.
Vor dem Winter müssen wir die Abdeckung auf den Pool legen.
Before winter, we have to put the cover on the pool.
In the figurative sense, you often find fixed word combinations such as 'mediale Abdeckung' (media coverage) or 'Netzabdeckung' (network coverage).
Die Netzabdeckung in den Bergen ist oft schlecht.
Network coverage in the mountains is often poor.
range / reach
In mobile communications, Reichweite refers to the maximum distance over which a signal can travel. Abdeckung describes the extent to which an area is actually supplied with the service. Reichweite is the right term for the distance from the transmitter, while Abdeckung is the right term for availability throughout the entire area.
Die Abdeckung des Mobilfunknetzes ist nun im gesamten Tal gut.
The mobile network coverage is now good throughout the entire valley.
Der neue Mobilfunkmast hat eine Reichweite von zehn Kilometern.
The new cell tower has a range of ten kilometers.
