01
die Ladung
cargo
The total amount of goods or merchandise transported by a vehicle such as a truck, ship, or airplane.
example
Der LKW verlor auf der Autobahn einen Teil seiner Ladung.
The truck lost part of its cargo on the highway.
die Ladung
cargo / charge / summons
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Ladung' (cargo/charge/summons) is derived from the verb 'laden' (to load/charge). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun that describes the result or process of loading or charging.
EXAMPLE
Das Laden des LKW dauert eine Stunde; die Ladung ist sehr schwer.
Loading the truck takes an hour; the cargo is very heavy.
Meaning from context
The meaning of 'Ladung' (cargo/charge/summons) can almost always be understood from the surrounding words. In transport contexts (truck, ship), it refers to goods; in technology (rechargeable battery, battery), it refers to electricity; and in law (court, witness), it refers to a summons.
EXAMPLE
Der Kapitän überwachte das Löschen der Ladung im Hafen.
The captain supervised the unloading of the cargo in the harbor.
Typical collocations: transport
In transportation, 'Ladung' (cargo) is often combined with verbs such as 'sichern' (to secure), 'löschen' (to unload), 'transportieren' (to transport), or 'verlieren' (to lose).
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrer muss die Ladung vor der Abfahrt gut sichern.
The driver must secure the cargo well before departure.
Use in law
In a legal context, you receive a 'Ladung' (summons). Typical phrases are 'eine Ladung erhalten/bekommen' (to receive a summons) or 'einer Ladung Folge leisten' (to comply with a summons).
EXAMPLE
Als Zeugin erhielt sie eine Ladung vor Gericht.
As a witness, she received a summons to appear in court.
Colloquial use
In colloquial language, 'eine Ladung' (a load) can also simply mean 'eine große Menge' (a large amount), often of something unpleasant. Typical phrases are 'eine Ladung Arbeit' (a load of work) or 'eine Ladung Probleme' (a load of problems).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Urlaub wartete eine ganze Ladung E-Mails auf mich.
After the vacation, a whole load of emails was waiting for me.
Compare with
Ladung vs Menge
amount / crowd
'die Menge' and 'die Ladung' can both refer to a quantity, but they fit different situations. 'die Menge' is general and can refer to almost anything: people, things, or substances. 'die Ladung' is more specific when something is being transported, for example on a truck or ship. In technology, 'Ladung' also means stored electrical charge. Colloquially, 'eine Ladung' can also mean a very large amount. The words can be confused because both can express 'a lot of something'. If it is not about transport, electricity, or a colloquially large portion, 'Menge' is usually more natural.
Ladung
Der LKW bringt heute eine Ladung neuer Möbel ins Lager.
The truck is bringing a load of new furniture to the warehouse today.
Menge
Er notierte die Menge der Kabel, die morgen in der Schule gebraucht wird.
He noted down the amount of cables that will be needed at school tomorrow.
In real life
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