compressor
Loading your saved state.
compressor
A technical device or machine used to compress gases, usually air, and increase their pressure. Compressors are used in many areas, such as in refrigerators, air-conditioning systems, or for inflating tires.
Mit dem Kompressor pumpte er die Fahrradreifen schnell auf.
He quickly inflated the bicycle tires with the compressor.
'Kompressor' (compressor) belongs to the word family of 'komprimieren' (to compress). The verb means 'to press together.' So a compressor is literally a 'presser-together' for gases or audio signals.
Diese Software komprimiert die Dateien, um Speicherplatz zu sparen.
This software compresses the files to save storage space.
When the context is technical, you can recognize this meaning from words like 'Luft' (air), 'Druck' (pressure), 'Reifen' (tires), 'Werkzeug' (tool), or 'Baustelle' (construction site). In this context, it always means the machine for compressing gases.
In der Werkstatt steht ein großer Kompressor für die Druckluftwerkzeuge.
There is a large compressor in the workshop for the compressed-air tools.
In music and audio production, you can recognize this meaning from words like 'Audio' (audio), 'Gesang' (vocals), 'Stimme' (voice), 'Signal' (signal), 'Spur' (track), or 'Studio' (studio). Here it means the effects device.
Um die Stimme im Mix präsenter zu machen, hat er einen Kompressor hinzugefügt.
To make the voice more present in the mix, he added a compressor.
turbo
'der Turbo' and 'der Kompressor' both have to do with technology, air pressure, and more power. A 'Turbo' is short for 'Turbolader' (turbocharger) and is part of an engine; it helps increase engine power. A 'Kompressor' is more general: it compresses air or other gases and is used in many devices, for example when inflating tires or in air-conditioning systems. Learners may confuse the words because both can compress air and increase power. As a practical rule: with cars, people often talk about the 'Turbo'; with a device for building up pressure, they are more likely to talk about the 'Kompressor'.
Zum Aufpumpen der Reifen benutzt die Familie einen kleinen Kompressor.
The family uses a small compressor to inflate the tires.
Der Turbo im Auto reagiert erst richtig, wenn der Motor schon etwas höher dreht.
The turbo in the car only really responds once the engine is already revving a bit higher.