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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
der Container
bin / container
A large container for collecting waste, construction debris, or for recycling materials such as glass or paper.
EXAMPLE
Bitte wirf die alten Zeitungen in den blauen Papier-Container.
Please throw the old newspapers into the blue paper recycling bin.
der Container
container
In information technology, an isolated, executable unit that bundles a software application and all its dependencies.
EXAMPLE
Die Anwendung wird in einem Docker-Container ausgeführt, um die Portabilität zu gewährleisten.
The application is run in a Docker container to ensure portability.
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 Tonne
bin / ton
Both words can refer to a large container for waste. “Die Tonne” usually means the individual container that is emptied regularly, while “der Container” generally refers to a larger collection point for waste, construction debris, or recycling. For a small household, “Tonne” is therefore more appropriate, while “Container” is often used for larger quantities.
Container
Nach dem Umbau brachte die Firma den Bauschutt zum großen Container.
After the renovation, the company took the construction debris to the large container.
Tonne
Am Montag stellte die Familie die volle Papiertonne an die Straße.
On Monday, the family put the full paper recycling bin out by the street.
In real life
Loading video examples...