01
das Display
display / screen
The display surface or screen of an electronic device, such as a smartphone, computer, or watch.
example
Das Display meines Handys ist gesprungen.
The display on my phone is cracked.
das Display
display
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Meanings
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Usage tips
English loanword
'Display' is a word from English that is very common in German. The pronunciation is adapted to German sounds, but it is still clearly recognizable as an English word.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du die Helligkeit des Displays einstellen?
Can you adjust the brightness of the display?
Two contexts
To distinguish the two meanings, pay attention to the context. If people are talking about technology (phone, car, computer), it means the screen. If it is about shopping (supermarket, goods), it means the product display stand.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Display des Navigationsgeräts wird die Route angezeigt.
The route is shown on the navigation device's display.
Typical problems
In connection with screens, 'Display' is often used to describe problems. Common adjectives are 'kaputt' (broken), 'gesprungen' (cracked), or 'zerkratzt' (scratched).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mein Handy fallen lassen und jetzt ist das Display zerkratzt.
I dropped my phone, and now the display is scratched.
Store context
This meaning belongs to the field of marketing and sales. Such displays often stand 'an der Kasse' (at the checkout) or 'im Gang' (in the aisle) and are frequently made 'aus Pappe' (of cardboard) to advertise products.
EXAMPLE
Die Kaugummis waren in einem bunten Display direkt neben der Kasse.
The chewing gum was in a colorful display stand right next to the checkout.
Compare with
Display vs Anzeige
advertisement / report / display
'die Anzeige' and 'das Display' can both have to do with information on an electronic device. 'das Display' is the display surface itself, for example on a phone, a watch, or a machine. 'die Anzeige' more often means the information that appears there, for example a time, an error, or a measured value. They can be confused because in everyday life the two occur together. If you mean the surface, 'Display' fits better. If you mean what the device shows, 'Anzeige' fits better.
Display
Tim stellt die Helligkeit am Display seines Handys niedriger.
Tim lowers the brightness on his phone's display.
Anzeige
Die Anzeige der Waschmaschine zeigt noch zehn Minuten Restzeit.
The washing machine display shows that ten minutes are left.
In real life
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