01
die Dose
can
A cylindrical metal container in which food or drinks are sealed airtight.
example
Ich öffne eine Dose Tomaten für die Soße.
I'm opening a can of tomatoes for the sauce.
die Dose
can / container / socket
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
The meanings can be clearly distinguished by context. If it is about food, drinks, or storage, it means a container. If it is about electricity, cables, or walls, it means an electrical component.
EXAMPLE
Gib mir bitte die Kekse aus der Dose auf dem Regal.
Please give me the cookies from the tin on the shelf.
Part of compounds
'Dose' is the base word for many things. A 'Konservendose' (food can) contains food, a 'Steckdose' (socket) supplies electricity, and a 'Blechdose' (tin can/metal tin) is a container made of sheet metal. In everyday language, the short form 'Dose' is often used.
EXAMPLE
Für den Campingausflug haben wir viel Dosenfutter gekauft.
We bought a lot of canned food for the camping trip.
Typical collocations
In connection with food packaging, typical phrases are 'eine Dose öffnen' (to open a can), 'etwas aus der Dose essen' (to eat something from a can), or 'eine Dose Konserven' (a can of preserved food).
EXAMPLE
Für eine schnelle Mahlzeit gibt es heute Ravioli aus der Dose.
For a quick meal, today we're having ravioli from a can.
Colloquial use
The use of 'Dose' for 'Steckdose' (socket) is very common, but it is considered colloquial. In formal or technical texts, 'Steckdose' is always written.
EXAMPLE
Steck den Stecker bitte in die Dose da drüben.
Please plug the plug into the socket over there.
Compare with
Dose vs Glas
glass / jar
'das Glas' and 'die Dose' can both be containers, especially for food. The difference usually lies in the material and the typical use. A 'Glas' is a glass container with a lid, for example for jam or pickles. A 'Dose' is often made of metal and sealed airtight, for example for beans or soup. 'Dose' can also be a small container with a lid, such as for candy. The words can be confused because both things store something. Pay special attention to this: jam is often in a 'Glas', tomatoes are often in a 'Dose'.
Dose
Für die Suppe öffnet Mehmet eine Dose Tomaten.
Mehmet opens a can of tomatoes for the soup.
Glas
Im Kühlschrank steht noch ein Glas Erdbeermarmelade.
There is still a jar of strawberry jam in the fridge.
In real life
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