media library
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media library
An online portal of a television or radio broadcaster where programs are available on demand for a certain period after they have been broadcast.
Ich habe den Anfang des Films verpasst, aber ich kann ihn später in der Mediathek ansehen.
I missed the beginning of the film, but I can watch it later in the media library.
The word is made up of 'Media' (from Medien, media) and '-thek'. The ending '-thek' comes from Greek and refers to a place for storing things, just like in 'Bibliothek' (library, literally books) or 'Diskothek' (discotheque, literally records).
Eine Mediathek ist also wörtlich ein Ort, an dem Medien gesammelt werden.
A media library is therefore literally a place where media are collected.
The verbs tell you whether the online platform or the physical library is meant. 'Ansehen' (to watch), 'streamen' (to stream), or 'abrufen' (to access on demand) point to the online media library. 'Gehen' (to go), 'besuchen' (to visit), or 'ausleihen' (to borrow) refer to the building.
Den Tatort von gestern Abend kannst du eine Woche lang in der Mediathek streamen.
You can stream last night's Tatort in the media library for one week.
When the online version is meant, 'Mediathek' (media library) often appears together with the name of a television broadcaster. For example, people speak of the 'ARD-Mediathek' or the 'ZDF-Mediathek'.
Die Dokumentation ist in der ARTE-Mediathek verfügbar.
The documentary is available in the ARTE media library.
library
'Bibliothek' and 'Mediathek' can both be places or services where you use media. A 'Bibliothek' is mainly associated with books, magazines, and borrowing. A 'Mediathek' puts more emphasis on other media such as films, music, or digital services. Very often today, 'Mediathek' also means an online portal from a TV or radio broadcaster where you can watch or listen to programs later. The words can be confused because modern libraries often also offer many types of media. If it is mainly about books, 'Bibliothek' is more natural; for videos, audio, or online programs, 'Mediathek' fits better.
Zu Hause schaut er die verpasste Sendung in der Mediathek.
At home, he watches the program he missed in the media library.
Nach dem Unterricht sucht sie in der Bibliothek ein Buch für ihr Referat.
After class, she looks for a book for her presentation in the library.