01
der Container
container
A large, standardized metal container for transporting goods by ship, train, or truck.
example
Im Hafen werden täglich tausende Container verladen.
Thousands of containers are loaded at the port every day.
der Container
container
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word origin
'Container' is an English loanword that comes from 'to contain' ('enthalten', 'fassen'). The basic idea is always a container that holds something.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Container ist für den Transport von Chemikalien vorgesehen.
This container is intended for transporting chemicals.
Context clue
The exact meaning of 'Container' (container) is almost always clear from context. Words like 'Hafen' (port), 'Schiff' (ship), or 'LKW' (truck) point to a shipping container. 'Müll' (trash), 'Glas' (glass), or 'Papier' (paper) point to a waste or recycling bin. 'Software' or 'Docker' point to the IT meaning.
EXAMPLE
Das Schiff transportiert über 5000 Container nach Asien.
The ship is transporting over 5,000 containers to Asia.
Word formation
In everyday language, especially when talking about recycling, 'Container' (container/bin) is often part of compound nouns. Typical examples are 'Glascontainer' (glass recycling bin), 'Papiercontainer' (paper recycling bin), or 'Altkleidercontainer' (used-clothing donation bin).
EXAMPLE
Am Samstag bringen wir die leeren Flaschen zum Glascontainer.
On Saturday, we're taking the empty bottles to the glass recycling bin.
Register: technical language
In information technology, 'Container' (container) is a firmly established technical term. Outside this field, this meaning is normally not used or understood.
EXAMPLE
Unsere neue Anwendung wird mithilfe von Containern bereitgestellt.
Our new application is deployed using containers.
Compare with
Container vs Image
image
'das Image' and 'der Container' do not mean the same thing, but they can be confused because both are modern loanwords and can also occur in technical or business texts. 'Image' means the reputation or picture that others have of a person, company, or product. 'Container' means a container, for example for transport or waste, or in IT, a self-contained software unit. When it is about opinion, impression, and the public, 'Image' fits. When it is about a physical container or a technical unit, 'Container' is correct.
Container
Vor dem Haus steht ein Container für den alten Bauschutt.
There is a container for the old construction debris in front of the house.
Image
Die Firma arbeitet an ihrem Image, weil viele Kunden sie altmodisch finden.
The company is working on its image because many customers find it old-fashioned.
In real life
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