cushion / padding / buffer
Loading your saved state.
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.
'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
'die Auflage' and 'das Polster' can both refer to something that lies between two things or supports something. The most important difference is: here, an 'Auflage' is more like a surface or place on which something rests. It often sounds technical or matter-of-fact. A 'Polster' is soft and is meant to make something comfortable or cushion an impact. Learners may confuse the words because a cushion can lie on a chair or bench in everyday life. When it is about soft sitting, lying, or protection, 'Polster' fits better. When it is about the load-bearing surface of a structural component, 'Auflage' is more precise.
Auf der Gartenbank liegt ein dickes Polster, damit man bequemer sitzt.
There is a thick cushion on the garden bench so that people can sit more comfortably.
Die Auflage des Balkens muss sauber und gerade sein.
The support surface of the beam must be clean and straight.