arsenal
Loading your saved state.
arsenal
A building or facility where weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment are stored, manufactured, or repaired.
Das historische Arsenal der Stadt wird heute als Museum genutzt.
The city's historic arsenal is used as a museum today.
The literal meaning (m01) refers to a military building. The figurative meaning (m02) describes a large amount of abstract things and is almost always used with the preposition 'an' (of).
Das alte Arsenal am Hafen ist heute ein Kulturzentrum.
The old arsenal by the harbor is now a cultural center.
In the figurative meaning, 'Arsenal' (arsenal) is almost always followed by the preposition 'an' with a noun in the dative plural.
Die Politikerin verfügte über ein Arsenal an überzeugenden Argumenten.
The politician had an arsenal of convincing arguments.
In the figurative meaning, 'Arsenal' (arsenal) is often combined with things that can be used, such as 'ein Arsenal an Möglichkeiten' (an arsenal of possibilities), 'an Tricks' (of tricks), or 'an Maßnahmen' (of measures).
Für die Renovierung steht uns ein ganzes Arsenal an Werkzeugen zur Verfügung.
We have a whole arsenal of tools available for the renovation.
collection
'Sammlung' and 'Arsenal' can both mean a larger quantity of things that belong together. 'Sammlung' is neutral and fits objects, texts, works of art, or other things that are collected or put together. 'Arsenal' sounds stronger and more purpose-oriented: in a figurative sense, it means a large supply of means, options, or arguments that can be used. Learners may confuse the words because 'Arsenal' can also seem like a collection. But 'Arsenal' fits especially when something is understood as a useful supply for a task or conflict.
Für die Diskussion hatte Maria ein ganzes Arsenal guter Argumente vorbereitet.
For the discussion, Maria had prepared a whole arsenal of good arguments.
Die Bibliothek zeigt eine Sammlung seltener Kinderbücher.
The library is showing a collection of rare children's books.