light bulb
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light bulb
An electric lamp in which a wire (filament) inside a vacuum or gas-filled glass bulb is made to glow by an electric current. Colloquially, the term is also used for modern light sources such as LED bulbs.
Die Glühbirne über dem Esstisch ist durchgebrannt und muss gewechselt werden.
The light bulb above the dining table has burned out and needs to be changed.
The word is made up of 'glühen' (to glow) and 'Birne' (pear). So it literally describes a 'glowing pear', because the shape of the glass bulb resembles a pear.
Die alte Glühbirne hatte eine typische Birnenform.
The old light bulb had a typical pear shape.
Common verbs used with 'Glühbirne' (light bulb) are 'wechseln' (to change) or 'austauschen' (to replace) when it is broken. When putting in a new one, you say 'eindrehen' or 'einschrauben' (to screw in).
Kannst du die Glühbirne in der Lampe wechseln? Es ist zu dunkel.
Can you change the light bulb in the lamp? It's too dark.
When a light bulb no longer shines because the filament has broken, you use the expression 'die Glühbirne ist durchgebrannt' (the light bulb has burned out).
Plötzlich wurde es dunkel, weil die Glühbirne durchgebrannt war.
Suddenly it got dark because the light bulb had burned out.
lamp
Lampe can refer to the entire light fixture, including the socket and light source, but colloquially it can also mean only the light source. Glühbirne refers more precisely to the light source inserted into the fixture. Use Lampe when the entire fixture is involved, and Glühbirne when only this part is being replaced.
Die Glühbirne an der Decke ist kaputt, aber die Fassung funktioniert noch.
The light bulb in the ceiling is broken, but the socket still works.
Die Lampe an der Decke ist kaputt, deshalb muss der Elektriker die ganze Leuchte prüfen.
The ceiling lamp is broken, so the electrician has to inspect the entire fixture.
