die Platte
plate / slab
A flat, usually rigid piece made of a material such as wood, metal, stone, or plastic.
EXAMPLE
Die Granitplatte für die neue Küche wird morgen geliefert.
The granite slab for the new kitchen will be delivered tomorrow.
die Platte
plate / record
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Meanings
die Platte
record
A vinyl record; a sound carrier made of vinyl for playing music.
EXAMPLE
Er legt am liebsten alte Platten aus den 70er-Jahren auf.
He most likes to put on old records from the 1970s.
die Platte
platter
A large serving platter on which foods such as cheese, sausage, or fruit are arranged.
EXAMPLE
Für die Party haben wir eine gemischte Platte mit Antipasti bestellt.
For the party, we ordered a mixed platter with antipasti.
die Platte
bald head
Colloquial for a bald head or a large bald spot on the head.
EXAMPLE
Er trägt immer eine Mütze, um seine Platte zu verstecken.
He always wears a cap to hide his bald head.
die Platte
prefab block
Colloquial for a residential building made of prefabricated concrete slabs.
EXAMPLE
Sie ist in der Platte aufgewachsen und kennt dort jeden.
She grew up in the prefab block and knows everyone there.
die Platte
hard drive
Colloquial short form of hard drive, the main storage medium in a computer.
EXAMPLE
Meine Platte ist voll, ich muss dringend ein paar alte Dateien löschen.
My hard drive is full; I urgently need to delete a few old files.
die Platte
plate
In geology, one of the large, rigid plates of the Earth's crust (tectonic plate).
EXAMPLE
Das Erdbeben entstand durch die Verschiebung zweier tektonischer Platten.
The earthquake was caused by the shifting of two tectonic plates.
Usage tips
Basic meaning: flat
The many meanings of 'Platte' (plate/slab) are all based on the basic idea of something flat and broad. Knowing this helps you understand unfamiliar compounds like 'Herdplatte' (hotplate) or 'Druckplatte' (printing plate).
EXAMPLE
Stell den Topf bitte auf die heiße Herdplatte.
Please put the pot on the hot hotplate.
Often a short form
In many colloquial meanings, 'die Platte' is an abbreviation for a longer word. The context makes clear whether a 'Schallplatte' (record; music), a 'Festplatte' (hard drive; computer), or a 'Plattenbau' (prefab apartment block) is meant.
EXAMPLE
Meine alte Platte von den Beatles klingt immer noch super.
My old Beatles record still sounds great.
Use for records
In the context of music, typical verbs are 'eine Platte auflegen' (to put on a record), 'Platten hören' (to listen to records), or 'Platten sammeln' (to collect records). It often refers to a vinyl record as opposed to digital formats.
EXAMPLE
Ein DJ legt den ganzen Abend nur alte Platten auf.
A DJ put on only old records all evening.
Use for food
When 'Platte' (platter) is used in connection with food, it refers to a large serving platter. The type of food is often named in the word, as in 'Käseplatte' (cheese platter), 'Wurstplatte' (sausage/cold cuts platter), or 'Fischplatte' (fish platter).
EXAMPLE
Zum Empfang gab es eine große Käseplatte mit Früchten.
At the reception, there was a large cheese platter with fruit.
Colloquial: bald head
The term 'Platte' for a bald head is purely colloquial and is often felt to be somewhat casual or joking. Typical phrases are 'eine Platte bekommen' (to start going bald) or 'eine Platte haben' (to have a bald head).
EXAMPLE
Er macht sich Sorgen, weil er langsam eine Platte bekommt.
He's worried because he's slowly starting to go bald.
Colloquial: prefab block
The colloquial term 'die Platte' for a residential building made of prefabricated concrete slabs is especially common in eastern Germany. The typical phrase is 'in der Platte wohnen' (to live in a prefab block).
EXAMPLE
Meine Großeltern haben 30 Jahre lang in der Platte gewohnt.
My grandparents lived in a prefab block for 30 years.
Scientific context
In geology and the natural sciences, 'Platte' (plate) refers to a tectonic plate of the Earth's crust. The combination 'tektonische Platte' (tectonic plate) is almost always used to avoid misunderstandings.
EXAMPLE
Japan liegt an der Grenze mehrerer tektonischer Platten.
Japan lies on the boundary of several tectonic plates.
Compare with
Platte vs Album
album
Both words can be used in connection with released music. An „Album“ primarily refers to the collection of songs as an artistic unit, while a „Platte“ originally means the vinyl record itself. If the focus is on the release or compilation, „Album“ is appropriate; if it is on the vinyl, „Platte“ is appropriate.
Platte
Die Band veröffentlicht ihr neues Album im September auch auf Platte.
The band is also releasing its new album on vinyl in September.
Album
Die Band veröffentlicht ihr neues Album im September.
The band is releasing its new album in September.
In real life
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