generator / aggregate
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generator
A machine that consists of several parts and often serves to generate energy, especially electricity. A typical example is an emergency generator.
Wegen des Stromausfalls mussten wir das Notstromaggregat starten.
Because of the power outage, we had to start the emergency generator.
The word comes from the Latin verb 'aggregare', meaning 'to add' or 'to accumulate'. This origin explains both meanings: the joining of parts into a machine and the accumulation of elements into a whole.
Ein Sandhaufen ist ein Aggregat aus vielen einzelnen Sandkörnern.
A pile of sand is an aggregate of many individual grains of sand.
'Aggregat' (generator/aggregate) is a word from technical and written language. It is mainly used in technical, scientific, or economic contexts.
In der Ökonomie werden verschiedene wirtschaftliche Größen zu Aggregaten zusammengefasst.
In economics, various economic quantities are combined into aggregates.
In a technical context, the most common combination is 'Notstromaggregat' (emergency generator). Typical verbs are 'ein Aggregat starten' (to start a generator), 'das Aggregat läuft' (the generator is running), or 'ein Aggregat versorgt etwas mit Strom' (a generator supplies something with electricity).
Das Aggregat läuft seit dem Stromausfall ununterbrochen.
The generator has been running continuously since the power outage.
You can recognize this scientific meaning from the context. Terms like 'Mineralien' (minerals), 'Zellen' (cells), 'Daten' (data), or 'soziale Gruppen' (social groups) indicate that a collection of elements is meant, not a machine.
Die Forscher untersuchen soziale Aggregate in Großstädten.
The researchers are studying social aggregates in large cities.
facility / attachment / investment
'die Anlage' and 'das Aggregat' can both refer to technical systems with several parts. 'Anlage' is a very general word for a technical system, for example an air-conditioning, heating, or production system. 'Aggregat' usually means a specific machine or machine unit, often for generating electricity, for example a 'Notstromaggregat' (emergency generator). The words can be confused because both sound technical and suggest multiple components. A simple rule is: 'Anlage' is often the larger or more general system, while 'Aggregat' is more likely a specific machine within a technical context.
Nach dem Stromausfall startete das Aggregat automatisch.
After the power outage, the generator started automatically.
Wegen einer Störung wurde die Anlage am Wochenende ausgeschaltet.
Because of a malfunction, the system was switched off over the weekend.