01
online
Describes the state of being connected to the internet or another network.
example
Sobald du online bist, können wir mit dem Videoanruf beginnen.
As soon as you're online, we can start the video call.
online
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure and use
The word 'online' is almost always used after a verb (predicatively) or as an adverb. It is normally not placed before a noun and declined. Instead, a compound noun is formed.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin jetzt online.
I'm online now.
Compound nouns
'Online-' is a very productive component for new nouns in German. It is simply placed before another noun to show that something takes place on the internet.
EXAMPLE
Das Online-Banking ist sehr praktisch.
Online banking is very convenient.
State and change
To describe the state, you use 'online sein' (to be online). To describe the change into this state, you say 'online gehen' (to go online).
EXAMPLE
Ich gehe kurz online, um meine E-Mails zu prüfen.
I'll go online briefly to check my emails.
Typical activities
'Online' is often combined with verbs that describe an activity on the internet. Typical examples are 'online einkaufen' (to shop online), 'online spielen' (to play online), 'online arbeiten' (to work online), or 'online lernen' (to learn online).
EXAMPLE
Viele Leute kaufen ihre Kleidung heute online ein.
Many people buy their clothes online today.
Compare with
online vs digital
digital
'online' and 'digital' both have to do with computers, the internet, and modern technology. 'online' means that something is connected to the internet or takes place on the internet. 'digital' is broader: it describes information, devices, or processes that are handled using computer technology, even without the internet. Learners can easily confuse the words because many digital things are also online. But not everything digital is online: a file on a USB stick is digital, but not necessarily online. 'online' fits when the internet connection is important; 'digital' fits when the technical form or processing is important.
online
Am Wochenende ist der Kurs online, nicht im Klassenraum.
At the weekend, the course is online, not in the classroom.
digital
Beim Termin hat die Mitarbeiterin die Unterlagen digital gespeichert.
During the appointment, the employee saved the documents digitally.
In real life
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