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
online
Describes that something takes place on the internet, is available there, or is handled through it.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen erledigen ihre Bankgeschäfte heutzutage online.
Many people do their banking online nowadays.
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 indicates that something is available via the internet or used there. Digital, on the other hand, describes a computer-processable form; such content can also be used without the internet. A digital offering can therefore also be online, but it does not have to be.
online
Das Kursbuch ist online verfügbar und wird im Browser geöffnet.
The coursebook is available online and opens in the browser.
digital
Das digitale Kursbuch ist auf dem Tablet gespeichert und lässt sich ohne Internet öffnen.
The digital coursebook is stored on the tablet and can be opened without an internet connection.
In real life
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