cushion / padding / buffer
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cushion / padding
A soft, filled cushion or pad used for comfortable sitting or lying on furniture such as chairs, sofas, or benches.
Das Sofa braucht neue Polster, die alten sind schon ganz durchgesessen.
The sofa needs new cushions; the old ones are completely worn out.
financial cushion
A financial reserve or buffer that is set aside for unexpected expenses or emergencies. This meaning is used figuratively.
Es ist beruhigend, ein finanzielles Polster für schlechte Zeiten zu haben.
It is reassuring to have a financial cushion for hard times.
buffer
Something that softens a blow, an impact, or a negative effect; a buffer.
Sein guter Ruf diente ihm als Polster gegen die öffentliche Kritik.
His good reputation served as a buffer against public criticism.
cushion growth
In botany, a dense, flat, and often cushion-shaped growth form of plants, especially in mosses or alpine plants.
Zwischen den Felsen wuchsen dicke Polster aus Moos.
Thick cushions of moss grew between the rocks.
'Das Polster' (the cushion/padding) is closely related to the verb 'polstern' (to upholster/pad), which means to fill or cover something with soft material to make it more comfortable or safer.
Der Schreiner hat den alten Stuhl neu gepolstert.
The carpenter reupholstered the old chair.
When 'Polster' (cushion) is used together with words like 'finanziell' (financial), 'Geld' (money), 'Ersparnisse' (savings), or 'Reserve' (reserve), it always refers to the figurative meaning of financial security.
Sie hat hart gearbeitet, um sich ein finanzielles Polster aufzubauen.
She worked hard to build up a financial cushion for herself.
In its literal meaning, 'Polster' (cushion/padding) is often combined with furniture. Typical expressions are 'die Polster eines Sofas' (the cushions of a sofa), 'ein weiches Polster' (a soft cushion), or 'ein Polster für einen Stuhl' (a cushion for a chair).
Die Katze schläft am liebsten auf den weichen Polstern der Couch.
The cat likes to sleep best on the soft cushions of the couch.
In a financial context, people talk about 'sich ein Polster schaffen' (to create a cushion for oneself) or 'sich ein Polster zulegen' (to build up a cushion for oneself). If you spend the money, you can say that you 'das Polster aufbraucht' (use up the cushion) or 'das Polster angreift' (dip into the cushion).
Für die unerwartete Reparatur mussten wir unser finanzielles Polster angreifen.
For the unexpected repair, we had to dip into our financial cushion.
The meaning of a cushion-shaped growth form of plants is specific to botany. This meaning is hardly ever used in everyday conversations.
Die Wanderung führte uns über Felsen, die mit dicken Moospolstern bewachsen waren.
The hike took us over rocks that were covered with thick cushions of moss.
edition / condition
Auflage and Polster can both be associated with resting on a piece of furniture. In the technical sense given here, Auflage is the surface on which something rests; Polster is a soft, filled pad for comfortable sitting or lying. Auflage is appropriate for a component, while Polster is used for seating comfort.
Auf der harten Bank sorgt ein dickes Polster für mehr Komfort.
A thick cushion makes the hard bench more comfortable.
Der Metallrahmen liegt mit seiner Unterseite auf der Auflage.
The metal frame rests on the support surface with its underside against it.
