deponieren
to deposit
To leave or hand over something in a safe place for storage.
EXAMPLE
Sie können Ihre Wertsachen während des Besuchs im Schließfach deponieren.
You can deposit your valuables in the locker during your visit.
deponieren
to deposit / dispose
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
deponieren
to dispose
To store waste, especially hazardous waste, at a designated landfill site.
EXAMPLE
Es ist streng verboten, chemische Abfälle einfach im Wald zu deponieren.
It is strictly forbidden to simply dispose of chemical waste in the forest.
Usage tips
Register and style
'Deponieren' (to deposit/dispose) is a rather formal and official word. You often find it in instructions, on signs in public facilities, or in administrative texts.
EXAMPLE
Bitte deponieren Sie Ihr Gepäck in den dafür vorgesehenen Fächern.
Please deposit your luggage in the compartments provided.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the object: if valuables, suitcases, or keys are being 'deponiert' (deposited), it is about safe storage. If waste, trash, or chemicals are being 'deponiert' (disposed of), it is about storage at a landfill.
EXAMPLE
Der Gast deponierte seinen Zimmerschlüssel an der Rezeption.
The guest deposited his room key at reception.
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'hinterlegen' (to deposit/leave for safekeeping), the verb is often combined with places such as 'im Safe' (in the safe), 'im Schließfach' (in the locker/safe-deposit box), or 'an der Garderobe' (at the coat check). Typical objects are 'Wertsachen' (valuables), 'Gepäck' (luggage), or 'Jacken' (jackets).
EXAMPLE
Im Museum mussten wir unsere Rucksäcke an der Garderobe deponieren.
At the museum, we had to deposit our backpacks at the coat check.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'lagern' (to store), 'deponieren' (to dispose/store) refers to waste. Common combinations are 'Müll deponieren' (to dispose of trash), 'Bauschutt deponieren' (to dispose of construction rubble), or 'Giftmüll deponieren' (to dispose of toxic waste). The place is usually 'auf einer Deponie' (at a landfill).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Hausbau musste die Familie den Bauschutt fachgerecht deponieren lassen.
After building the house, the family had to have the construction rubble disposed of properly.
Compare with
deponieren vs entsorgen
to dispose of
Both words can refer to handling waste. „Entsorgen“ generally means disposing of it properly, while „deponieren“ more specifically means storing waste at a designated landfill. Use „deponieren“ only when this location and this type of storage are meant.
deponieren
Die Gemeinde deponiert den Sondermüll auf einer dafür vorgesehenen Deponie.
The municipality deposits the hazardous waste at a designated landfill.
entsorgen
Die Gemeinde entsorgt den Sondermüll fachgerecht.
The municipality disposes of the hazardous waste properly.
In real life
Loading video examples...