PIN / pin
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PIN
A personal identification number (PIN), meaning a secret number used for authentication with bank cards, mobile phones, or online services.
Ich habe dreimal den falschen Pin eingegeben und jetzt ist meine Karte gesperrt.
I entered the wrong PIN three times, and now my card is blocked.
The word 'Pin' is taken directly from English. The specific meaning depends heavily on the context, much like in English.
Hast du einen Pin, um die Notiz an die Wand zu heften?
Do you have a pin to attach the note to the wall?
The meaning of 'Pin' can almost always be understood from context. If it is about bank cards or phones, it means the secret number. If people are talking about clothing or collecting, it means the badge. In technical contexts, it means the contact pins.
Ich habe meinen Pin für das Online-Banking vergessen.
I forgot my PIN for online banking.
In the meaning of a secret number, 'PIN' is an abbreviation for 'Persönliche Identifikationsnummer' (personal identification number). Although it is an abbreviation, it is treated like a normal noun ('der Pin').
Notieren Sie Ihre Pin niemals auf der Bankkarte selbst.
Never write down your PIN on the bank card itself.
When the secret number is meant, 'Pin' is often combined with verbs such as 'eingeben' (to enter), 'vergessen' (to forget), 'ändern' (to change), or 'sperren' (to block).
Bitte geben Sie Ihre persönliche Pin ein, um die Zahlung zu bestätigen.
Please enter your personal PIN to confirm the payment.
When the badge is meant, 'Pin' is often used with verbs such as 'anstecken' (to pin on), 'tragen' (to wear), or 'sammeln' (to collect).
Er trug einen kleinen Pin mit der Flagge seines Landes am Jackett.
He wore a small pin with his country's flag on his jacket.
contact
'der Kontakt' and 'der Pin' can both refer to an electrical connection in technology. 'der Pin' is a single small contact pin on a connector, chip, or component. 'der Kontakt' is more general: it refers to the point or connection through which current can flow. The words can be confused because a pin often serves as an electrical contact itself. If you mean the small pin, 'Pin' is more precise. If you mean the electrical connection or contact point in general, 'Kontakt' fits better.
Ein Pin am Stecker ist verbogen, deshalb passt er nicht mehr richtig.
One pin on the connector is bent, so it no longer fits properly.
Ohne sauberen Kontakt bekommt die Lampe keinen Strom.
Without a clean contact, the lamp does not get any power.