offal / innards
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offal
A term for the edible internal organs of slaughtered animals, such as liver, heart, kidneys, or lungs. Usually used in the plural in German: Innereien.
Früher galten Innereien als Arme-Leute-Essen, heute sind sie teilweise wieder Delikatessen.
In the past, offal was considered poor people's food; today, some of it is once again regarded as a delicacy.
innards
Used figuratively and rarely for the internal structure or complex mechanics of a device or system.
Der Techniker legte die komplexen Innereien der alten Uhr frei.
The technician exposed the complex innards of the old clock.
The word 'Innerei' is derived from 'innen' (inside). The ending '-erei' here marks a collective term. Innereien (offal/innards) are therefore literally the 'inner things' of an animal body.
Der Metzger bot eine Auswahl an frischen Innereien an.
The butcher offered a selection of fresh offal.
This word is almost always used in the plural 'die Innereien' when referring to all edible organs collectively. The rare singular form 'die Innerei' refers to a single, unspecified organ from this group.
Innereien wie Leber und Nieren sind reich an Vitaminen.
Offal such as liver and kidneys is rich in vitamins.
The best-known Innereien (offal) used as food include liver, heart, kidneys, lungs, and tongue.
Leber ist eine der bekanntesten Innereien und wird oft gebraten.
Liver is one of the best-known types of offal and is often fried.
You can recognize the figurative meaning for technology from the context. If people are talking about machines, clocks, or computers, they mean the mechanical or electronic components inside.
Der Uhrmacher blickte fasziniert auf die filigranen Innereien des alten Uhrwerks.
The watchmaker gazed with fascination at the delicate innards of the old clockwork mechanism.
inner life / inner workings
Innenleben is the neutral term for the internal structure and functioning of a device. Innerei can also refer to the internal structure or mechanics, but it sounds rare and figurative. Innenleben is therefore the better fit in an ordinary technical description.
In seinem bildhaften Text beschreibt der Autor die komplizierte Innerei des alten Radios.
In his figurative text, the author describes the complicated innards of the old radio.
Der Techniker erklärt uns das komplizierte Innenleben des alten Radios.
The technician explains the complicated inner workings of the old radio to us.
