charger
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charger
An electronic device used to recharge the battery of another device, such as a smartphone, laptop, or camera, with electrical energy.
Ich habe mein Ladegerät für das Handy zu Hause vergessen.
I forgot my phone charger at home.
The word is clearly composed of the verb 'laden' (here in the sense of recharging) and the noun 'das Gerät' (device). So it is literally a 'Gerät zum Laden' (device for charging).
Ohne Ladegerät kann ich mein Tablet nicht mehr benutzen.
Without a charger, I can't use my tablet anymore.
'Ladegerät' (charger) belongs to the word family around 'laden' (to load/charge) and 'aufladen' (to recharge). The noun 'der Akku' (rechargeable battery, short for accumulator) is the typical object that is charged with a charger.
Der Akku ist fast leer, ich muss ihn mit dem Ladegerät aufladen.
The battery is almost empty; I have to charge it with the charger.
To say what the device is for, you use the preposition 'für' with the accusative. To say what you charge something with, you use 'mit' and the dative.
Hast du ein Ladegerät für ein iPhone?
Do you have a charger for an iPhone?
power supply
A Netzteil converts the electricity from the power grid and uses it to supply an electronic device. A Ladegerät, by contrast, is intended to recharge a device's battery. The key question is therefore whether the focus is on supplying operating power or charging the battery.
Das Ladegerät lädt den leeren Akku des Laptops wieder auf.
The charger is recharging the laptop's empty battery.
Das Netzteil versorgt den Laptop während der Arbeit mit Strom.
The power supply provides the laptop with electricity while it is being used.
