microwave
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microwave
A kitchen appliance that quickly heats or cooks food using microwave radiation. It is often called 'Mikro' for short.
Stell die Reste vom Abendessen einfach für zwei Minuten in die Mikrowelle.
Just put the leftovers from dinner in the microwave for two minutes.
microwave
An electromagnetic wave with a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 1 meter, used in communications technology and for heating substances.
Die Datenübertragung vom Satelliten zur Erde erfolgt über Mikrowellen.
Data transmission from the satellite to Earth takes place via microwaves.
The word is made up of 'Mikro-' (Greek for 'small') and 'Welle' (wave). So it literally means 'small wave', which describes how it works technically.
Das Gerät nutzt winzige elektromagnetische Wellen, daher der Name Mikrowelle.
The appliance uses tiny electromagnetic waves, hence the name microwave.
The context tells you whether the kitchen appliance (m01) or the physical wave (m02) is meant. If it's about food, cooking, or the kitchen, the appliance is meant. In scientific or technical texts, the wave is often meant.
Ich wärme mir nur schnell die Suppe in der Mikrowelle auf.
I'm just quickly heating up the soup in the microwave.
In everyday language, the word is often used with certain verbs and prepositions: 'etwas in die Mikrowelle stellen' (to put something in the microwave), 'etwas in der Mikrowelle erhitzen' (to heat something in the microwave), or 'etwas aus der Mikrowelle nehmen' (to take something out of the microwave).
Du kannst das Essen einfach in der Mikrowelle warm machen.
You can simply warm up the food in the microwave.
In spoken language, 'die Mikrowelle' (the microwave) is very often shortened to 'die Mikro'. This short form is very common and understood everywhere.
Hast du das Essen schon in die Mikro gestellt?
Have you already put the food in the microwave?
