collection / fundus
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collection
A collected stock of objects, especially props, costumes, or sets for theater, film, or photography.
Für das historische Stück haben wir auf den reichen Fundus des Stadttheaters zurückgegriffen.
For the historical play, we drew on the city theater's rich collection.
'Fundus' comes from Latin and means 'bottom' or 'foundation.' This original meaning helps you understand the different uses: a foundation of props, a base of knowledge, or the bottom of an organ.
Der Autor schöpft aus einem reichen Fundus an Lebenserfahrung.
The author draws from a rich store of life experience.
A very common and useful phrase is 'auf einen Fundus zurückgreifen' (to draw on a collection/store). It works both for a stock of objects and for a store of knowledge.
Für die Kostüme konnten wir auf den Fundus des Theaters zurückgreifen.
For the costumes, we were able to draw on the theater's collection.
The context makes the meaning clear. Words like 'Theater' (theater) or 'Kostüme' (costumes) point to a stock of props or costumes. Terms like 'Wissen' (knowledge) or 'Erfahrung' (experience) indicate the figurative sense. In the medical field, it always means the base of an organ.
Das Museum besitzt einen riesigen Fundus an historischen Fotografien.
The museum owns a huge collection of historical photographs.
In the meanings 'Sammlung' (collection) and 'Wissensschatz' (store of knowledge), 'Fundus' is considered elevated language. It is used more often in written or more formal contexts.
Die Bibliothek verfügt über einen beachtlichen Fundus an seltenen Büchern.
The library has a considerable collection of rare books.
The meaning 'Boden eines Hohlorgans' (bottom of a hollow organ) is purely a technical term from medicine. You will not encounter this meaning outside that context.
Auf dem Ultraschallbild war der Fundus der Blase gut zu erkennen.
The fundus of the bladder was clearly visible on the ultrasound image.
floor / ground
'der Boden' and 'der Fundus' can both mean the lower part or base of something. 'Boden' is the normal everyday word, for example for the bottom part of a container or room. In this meaning, 'Fundus' is a medical technical term and refers to the base or bottom of a hollow organ, for example the stomach or the uterus. They can be confused because, in medicine, the 'Fundus' is located roughly where one might generally speak of a bottom. In everyday language, people almost always say 'Boden'; 'Fundus' fits mainly in medical texts or conversations.
Die Ärztin kontrolliert beim Ultraschall den Fundus der Gebärmutter.
During the ultrasound, the doctor checks the fundus of the uterus.
Auf dem Boden des Glases blieb etwas Zucker zurück.
Some sugar was left at the bottom of the glass.