machine
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machine
A device or mechanism with moving parts that uses energy to perform a specific task.
Die Waschmaschine ist kaputt, wir müssen die Wäsche von Hand waschen.
The washing machine is broken; we have to wash the laundry by hand.
'Maschine' is a very productive base word for many compound nouns that describe devices. Examples are 'Waschmaschine' (washing machine), 'Kaffeemaschine' (coffee machine), 'Spülmaschine' (dishwasher), or 'Bohrmaschine' (drill).
Meine Kaffeemaschine bereitet den besten Espresso zu.
My coffee machine makes the best espresso.
The use of 'Maschine' for an airplane is informal. You can recognize the meaning from verbs like 'starten' (to take off), 'landen' (to land), or from information about the flight destination.
Wann landet unsere Maschine in Frankfurt?
When does our plane land in Frankfurt?
The use of 'Maschine' for a motorcycle is also informal and is often used for large, heavy models. Words like 'fahren' (to ride/drive), 'Biker', or 'Chrom' (chrome) point to this meaning.
Am Wochenende poliert er stundenlang seine schwere Maschine.
On the weekend, he spends hours polishing his heavy bike.
When a person is described as a 'Maschine' (machine), it is an informal, usually admiring description of their extreme efficiency or endurance. It emphasizes that the person works or exercises tirelessly like a machine.
Im Büro ist sie eine richtige Maschine, sie erledigt die Arbeit von drei Leuten.
At the office, she is a real machine; she does the work of three people.
animal
'das Tier' and 'die Maschine' can both colloquially describe a very high-performing person. This is not about the literal meaning, because a 'Tier' is a living creature and a 'Maschine' is a device. Figuratively, 'ein Tier' sounds more like great strength, energy, or endurance. 'eine Maschine' emphasizes more that someone works for a long time, reliably, or almost without a break. Learners may confuse the words because both can be meant as praise for strong performance. 'Tier' feels more physical, while 'Maschine' feels more controlled and regular.
Nina arbeitet seit Stunden ohne Pause; sie ist wirklich eine Maschine.
Nina has been working for hours without a break; she really is a machine.
Beim Training hebt Ali Gewichte wie ein Tier.
During training, Ali lifts weights like a beast.