to hoard
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to hoard
To collect large quantities of something, e.g. food or valuables, and keep them in a safe place, often out of fear of a shortage or for the future.
Zu Beginn der Krise fingen viele Menschen an, Toilettenpapier und Nudeln zu horten.
At the beginning of the crisis, many people started to hoard toilet paper and pasta.
The verb 'horten' (to hoard) is related to the noun 'der Hort' (a protected, safe place). 'Horten' therefore means bringing things to such a safe place in order to protect or hide them.
Das Eichhörnchen hortet Nüsse für den Winter.
The squirrel hoards nuts for the winter.
The word often has a negative meaning. It describes not just collecting, but implies that this happens out of exaggerated fear of shortages, greed, or panic.
Er hortet alte Zeitungen im Keller, weil er nichts wegwerfen kann.
He hoards old newspapers in the basement because he can't throw anything away.
Typically, things are hoarded that could become scarce in times of crisis. These include 'Lebensmittel' (food), 'Konserven' (canned goods), 'Medikamente' (medicine), or also 'Gold' (gold) and 'Bargeld' (cash).
Aus Angst vor Inflation begannen einige Leute, Gold zu horten.
Out of fear of inflation, some people began to hoard gold.
to stockpile / to bunker / to park the bus
Horten and bunkern can both refer to building up large supplies out of concern about a shortage. Horten is the more general term for collecting and safely storing things. Bunkern is colloquial and usually emphasizes a large supply of food or other goods for later.
Aus Angst vor einem Mangel hortet er große Mengen Reis im Keller.
Afraid there would be a shortage, he hoards large quantities of rice in the basement.
Aus Angst vor einem Mangel bunkert er große Mengen Reis im Keller.
Afraid there would be a shortage, he stockpiles large quantities of rice in the basement.
