file
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file
A collection of related data that is stored under a specific name on a computer or another digital storage medium.
Bitte vergiss nicht, die Datei zu speichern, bevor du das Programm schließt.
Please don't forget to save the file before you close the program.
In a computer context, 'Datei' (file) is combined with certain verbs. The most important are: 'eine Datei speichern' (to save a file), 'öffnen' (to open), 'schließen' (to close), 'löschen' (to delete), 'erstellen' (to create), and 'an eine E-Mail anhängen' (to attach to an email).
Ich habe dir die wichtigen Dokumente als Datei angehängt.
I attached the important documents as a file for you.
'Datei' (file) is a very productive base word for many compounds in the computer field. Examples are 'Textdatei' (text file), 'Bilddatei' (image file), 'PDF-Datei' (PDF file), 'Dateiname' (file name), or 'Dateigröße' (file size).
Kannst du mir bitte die Bilddatei in einer höheren Auflösung schicken?
Could you please send me the image file in a higher resolution?
The word 'Datei' (file) is closely related to 'Daten' (data, plural of Datum, information) and 'Kartei' (an index-card system). A file is therefore a modern, digital form of an index card for storing data.
Früher wurden Adressen in einer Kartei aus Papier verwaltet.
In the past, addresses were managed in a paper card index.
document
'das Dokument' and 'die Datei' can both be something digital on a computer. 'die Datei' is the general technical term for anything that is stored, for example a photo, a song, a spreadsheet, or a text. 'das Dokument' usually means a file with text or information, often something official or important. Learners can confuse the words because a document is often also a file. But not every file is a document. For technology in general, you say 'Datei'; for texts, forms, and proof, 'Dokument' is more likely.
Am Morgen hat Lisa die Datei mit den Urlaubsfotos auf den Laptop kopiert.
In the morning, Lisa copied the file with the vacation photos onto the laptop.
Für den Antrag muss Mehmet das Dokument ausdrucken und unterschreiben.
For the application, Mehmet has to print out and sign the document.