collection
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collection
A group of objects that have been gathered systematically or out of personal interest.
Mein Großvater besitzt eine beeindruckende Sammlung alter Briefmarken.
My grandfather owns an impressive collection of old stamps.
All meanings of 'die Sammlung' (the collection/composure) can be derived from the verb 'sammeln' (to collect/gather). It is always about the result or process of bringing things together or concentrating.
Die Kinder sammeln im Herbst bunte Blätter im Park.
In autumn, the children collect colorful leaves in the park.
When it is about collected objects, 'Sammlung' (collection) is often combined with verbs such as 'anlegen' (to start/create), 'aufbauen' (to build up), 'erweitern' (to expand), or 'besitzen' (to own).
Er hat über Jahre eine wertvolle Sammlung von Münzen aufgebaut.
Over the years, he built up a valuable collection of coins.
In this meaning, 'Sammlung' (collection) describes the process of collecting, usually for a good cause. It is often used with verbs like 'organisieren' (to organize) or 'durchführen' (to carry out) and prepositions like 'für' (for).
Die Schule organisiert eine Sammlung für die Opfer der Flutkatastrophe.
The school is organizing a collection for the victims of the flood disaster.
The meaning 'concentration' is used almost only in the fixed expressions 'die Sammlung verlieren' (to become unfocused / lose one's composure) and 'die Sammlung wiederfinden' (to concentrate again / regain one's composure).
Als das Telefon klingelte, verlor der Schachspieler kurz seine Sammlung.
When the phone rang, the chess player briefly lost his composure.
amount / crowd
'die Menge' and 'die Sammlung' can both mean a group of things. 'die Menge' only says how much of something there is. The things do not have to be organized or deliberately gathered together. 'die Sammlung', on the other hand, means things that someone has collected or that belong together as a group, for example stamps, photos, or texts. Learners may confuse the words because a collection often contains a large quantity. In practical terms: if only the number or amount is important, 'Menge' fits. If selection, order, or personal collecting is important, 'Sammlung' fits.
Meine Großmutter zeigt mir gern ihre Sammlung alter Postkarten.
My grandmother likes showing me her collection of old postcards.
Im Keller liegt eine große Menge alter Kartons.
There is a large quantity of old boxes in the basement.