aluminum
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aluminum
Colloquial short form for the lightweight metal aluminum. It is used for many products such as cans, foil, or in vehicle construction.
Die Getränkedose ist aus Alu und kann recycelt werden.
The beverage can is made of aluminum and can be recycled.
'Alu' is the colloquial and very common short form of the word 'Aluminium' (aluminum). In everyday language, 'Alu' is almost always said and written.
Kannst du mir bitte die Alufolie geben?
Can you please give me the aluminum foil?
Although 'Alu' is very widespread, the full form 'Aluminium' (aluminum) is preferred in scientific or very formal texts. 'Alu' is typical of everyday and colloquial language.
Der Rahmen des Fahrrads ist aus leichtem Alu gefertigt.
The bicycle frame is made of lightweight aluminum.
'Alu' is very often used as the first part of compound nouns. Well-known examples are Alufolie (aluminum foil), Alufelge (alloy wheel), or Aludose (aluminum can).
Winterreifen werden oft auf Stahlfelgen und nicht auf Alufelgen montiert.
Winter tires are often mounted on steel rims and not on alloy wheels.
aluminum
'Aluminium' and 'Alu' mean the same lightweight metal. The difference is mainly in style. 'Aluminium' is the full and more neutral form. It fits well in technical texts, in class, or when you want to speak precisely and somewhat more formally. 'Alu' is the short, colloquial form and sounds more natural in everyday speech, for example with 'Alufolie' (aluminum foil) or 'Aludosen' (aluminum cans). The words can be confused because they refer to the same thing. In practice: in official or factual situations, use 'Aluminium' more often; in normal conversation, often use 'Alu'.
Für die Reste vom Essen nimmt sie etwas Alu und deckt die Schüssel ab.
For the leftovers, she takes some aluminum foil and covers the bowl.
Der Rahmen des Fahrrads besteht aus Aluminium, deshalb ist er sehr leicht.
The bicycle frame is made of aluminum, so it is very light.