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.
aggregate
A collection or combination of individual elements into a whole. This term is often used in scientific or economic contexts.
In der Geologie bezeichnet man eine Gesteinsmasse aus verschiedenen Mineralien als Aggregat.
In geology, a rock mass made up of different minerals is called an aggregate.
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
Anlage and Aggregat can both refer to technical devices or systems for supplying energy. Anlage usually refers to a permanently installed technical facility or system, whereas Aggregat generally refers to an independent, often mobile machine. Anlage is appropriate for a permanent installation; Aggregat is a better fit for a portable emergency power generator.
Bei einem Stromausfall versorgt ein mobiles Notstromaggregat das Gebäude.
In the event of a power outage, a mobile emergency generator supplies the building.
Die fest installierte Stromanlage versorgt das Gebäude auch bei schlechtem Wetter.
The permanently installed power system supplies the building even in bad weather.
