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 collect / gather
'sammeln' and 'horten' both mean keeping or gathering more of something. 'sammeln' is often neutral or positive, for example with a hobby or useful information. 'horten' sounds stronger and often critical: someone stores large quantities, usually out of fear of a shortage or for later. Typical examples are food, money, or other valuable things. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases something becomes more numerous. The important difference is the tone: 'sammeln' is normal, while 'horten' suggests too much and stockpiling out of worry.
Vor dem Sturm horteten einige Leute Wasser und Konserven im Keller.
Before the storm, some people hoarded water and canned food in the basement.
Ihr sammelt neue Wörter in einem Heft, damit ihr sie später wiederholen könnt.
You collect new words in a notebook so that you can review them later.