capacity
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capacity
The maximum holding capacity of a room, container, vehicle, or system. It describes how much can fit inside or be accommodated.
Das Stadion hat eine Kapazität von 50.000 Zuschauern.
The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 spectators.
The word 'Kapazität' (capacity) is often used in general expressions. Common phrases are 'die Kapazitäten erweitern' (to expand capacities), 'freie Kapazitäten haben' (to have available capacity), or 'die volle Kapazität erreichen' (to reach full capacity).
Das Hotel hat für das Wochenende leider keine freien Kapazitäten mehr.
Unfortunately, the hotel has no available capacity left for the weekend.
To state the exact holding capacity of a room or container, you use the structure 'eine Kapazität von' (a capacity of) followed by a number and a unit.
Der Tank des Autos hat eine Kapazität von 60 Litern.
The car's tank has a capacity of 60 liters.
The phrase 'an der Grenze der Kapazität' (at the limit of capacity) is used very frequently to express that no more performance or production capacity is available.
Die Notaufnahme arbeitet seit Stunden an der Grenze ihrer Kapazität.
The emergency room has been working at the limit of its capacity for hours.
When 'Kapazität' (expert authority) describes a person, it always means a highly respected expert. You can recognize this meaning by the fact that the word refers to a person, often with the indefinite article 'eine' (a/an).
Der Vortrag wird von einer internationalen Kapazität auf dem Gebiet der Klimaforschung gehalten.
The lecture will be given by an international authority in the field of climate research.
performance / output / benefit
'die Leistung' and 'die Kapazität' can both describe what a person, machine, or organization is able to accomplish. The difference lies in the perspective: 'Leistung' often means what is actually achieved or produced, for example the work of an engine or a person's result. 'Kapazität' is more about potential capability or available resources: What is the maximum that can be done? Learners may confuse the words because both occur in work, technology, and production contexts. When it is about the concrete result, 'Leistung' fits. When it is about the limit or possibility, 'Kapazität' fits.
In der Fabrik reicht die Kapazität im Sommer nicht für alle Aufträge.
In the factory, capacity in summer is not enough for all the orders.
Die Leistung des neuen Computers ist beim Videoschnitt deutlich besser.
The performance of the new computer is significantly better for video editing.