01
das Bündel
bundle
A number of similar things that are tied or grouped together.
example
Der Wanderer trug ein Bündel Holz auf dem Rücken.
The hiker carried a bundle of wood on his back.
das Bündel
bundle
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Bündel' (bundle) is related to the verb 'binden' (to tie). It describes something that is tied together. The ending '-el' is a diminutive form, similar to 'der Sack' (sack) and 'das Säckel' (small sack/pouch).
EXAMPLE
Sie band die Kräuter zu einem kleinen Bündel zusammen.
She tied the herbs together into a small bundle.
Typical collocations
Common combinations describe what is tied together. Typical examples are 'ein Bündel Schlüssel' (a bundle/bunch of keys), 'ein Bündel Briefe' (a bundle of letters), 'ein Bündel Zeitungen' (a bundle of newspapers), or also 'ein Bündel Geldscheine' (a bundle of banknotes).
EXAMPLE
An seinem Gürtel hing ein großes Bündel Schlüssel.
A large bunch of keys hung from his belt.
Context clue
When 'Bündel' (bundle) refers to money, this is often made clear by adjectives like 'dick' (thick) or the explicit word 'Geldscheine' (banknotes). Verbs such as 'zücken' (to whip out) or 'hervorziehen' (to pull out) also point to this meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Mann zog ein dickes Bündel Geldscheine aus der Jackentasche.
The man pulled a thick bundle of banknotes out of his jacket pocket.
Register: technical language
In physics and technology, 'Bündel' (bundle) is a technical term. It refers to a group of rays, e.g. 'Lichtbündel' (bundle of light), or fibers, e.g. 'Glasfaserbündel' (fiber-optic bundle), that run in a common direction.
EXAMPLE
Das Teleskop fängt ein Bündel von Lichtstrahlen aus dem All auf.
The telescope captures a bundle of light rays from space.
Compare with
Bündel vs Bund
federation / waistband / bunch
'der Bund' and 'das Bündel' can both refer to a number of things that are grouped together or tied together. 'der Bund' is used especially for certain everyday things, for example 'ein Bund Kräuter' (a bunch of herbs), 'Spargel' (asparagus), or 'Schlüssel' (keys). 'das Bündel' is more general and often refers to several similar things held together, for example letters, sticks, or banknotes. The words can be confused because both describe something tied or grouped together. As a simple guide: for typical small quantities like herbs, people often say 'Bund'; for a larger or more neutral quantity, 'Bündel' is more likely.
Bündel
Am Abend lag ein Bündel alter Briefe auf dem Küchentisch.
In the evening, a bundle of old letters lay on the kitchen table.
Bund
Für die Suppe kauft Anna einen Bund Petersilie auf dem Markt.
For the soup, Anna buys a bunch of parsley at the market.
In real life
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