treadmill / conveyor belt
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treadmill
A piece of exercise equipment with a rotating belt that makes it possible to walk or run in place.
Im Winter trainiere ich oft auf dem Laufband, weil es draußen zu kalt ist.
In winter, I often train on the treadmill because it’s too cold outside.
The word is made up of 'laufen' (to run/walk) and 'Band' (belt). So it literally describes a belt that you run on (exercise equipment) or that runs by itself (conveyor belt).
Das Laufband im Fitnessstudio ist schon wieder besetzt.
The treadmill at the gym is occupied again.
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. Words like 'Fitnessstudio' (gym), 'trainieren' (to train), or 'joggen' (to jog) point to the exercise machine. Words like 'Flughafen' (airport), 'Koffer' (suitcase), or 'Produktion' (production) point to the conveyor belt.
Ich laufe jeden Morgen 30 Minuten auf dem Laufband.
I run on the treadmill for 30 minutes every morning.
When referring to the exercise machine, the typical preposition is 'auf' (on). You can 'auf dem Laufband' walk, run, jog, or train.
Sie trainiert für den Marathon auf dem Laufband.
She is training for the marathon on the treadmill.
As a conveyor belt, 'Laufband' is often used with the preposition 'am' (at) or 'vom' (from the). You wait 'am Laufband' for luggage or take something 'vom Laufband'.
Alle Passagiere warteten ungeduldig am Gepäcklaufband.
All the passengers waited impatiently at the baggage conveyor belt.
ribbon / band
'das Band' and 'das Laufband' can be confused because 'Laufband' contains the word 'Band'. But 'Band' is much more general: it can be a flat strip, or also a technical device that transports things. 'Laufband' is more specific. It means either a piece of exercise equipment that you run on, or a motorized belt that moves something, for example luggage. If you simply mean a strip of material, you say 'Band'. If it is about a device or a moving conveyor belt, 'Laufband' is more precise.
Nach der Arbeit läuft Sofia dreißig Minuten auf dem Laufband.
After work, Sofia runs on the treadmill for thirty minutes.
Beim Training bindet Tom ein elastisches Band um seine Beine.
During training, Tom ties an elastic band around his legs.