der Speicher
storage / memory
A technical device, component, or medium on which digital data can be stored.
EXAMPLE
Der Speicher meines Laptops ist fast voll.
My laptop's storage is almost full.
der Speicher
storage / memory
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Meanings
der Speicher
attic
The space directly under the roof of a house, used for putting away and storing things; an attic.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Weihnachtssachen sind oben auf dem Speicher.
The old Christmas things are upstairs in the attic.
der Speicher
warehouse / storage
A large building or container for storing goods in large quantities, such as grain, water, or merchandise.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Speicher in der Hamburger Speicherstadt sind heute eine Touristenattraktion.
The old warehouses in Hamburg's Speicherstadt are now a tourist attraction.
der Speicher
store / reserve
A part of an organism in which energy or certain substances are kept for later use.
EXAMPLE
Fettzellen dienen dem Körper als wichtiger Energiespeicher.
Fat cells serve as an important energy store for the body.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Speicher' (storage, memory) is derived directly from the verb 'speichern' (to save, to store). Anything that can store something can be called a 'Speicher', whether it involves data, objects, goods, or energy.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss die neuen Fotos auf einer externen Festplatte speichern.
I need to save the new photos on an external hard drive.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Speicher' (storage, memory) is almost always clear from context. Words like 'Computer' (computer) or 'Handy' (mobile phone) point to data storage (m01), 'Dach' (roof) to the attic (m02), and 'Hafen' (harbor) or 'Getreide' (grain) to a warehouse (m03).
EXAMPLE
Der alte Speicher im Hafen wird heute für Konzerte genutzt.
The old warehouse in the harbor is used for concerts today.
Correct preposition
When 'Speicher' means the attic, the preposition 'auf' is almost always used. You put things 'auf den Speicher' (into the attic, accusative), and they are then located 'auf dem Speicher' (in the attic, dative).
EXAMPLE
Bringst du bitte die Kiste mit den Winterkleidern auf den Speicher?
Could you please take the box with the winter clothes up to the attic?
Typical collocations
In a technical context, typical expressions are 'der Speicher ist voll' (the storage is full), 'den Speicher erweitern' (to expand the memory/storage), or 'etwas im Speicher ablegen' (to store something in memory/storage). It is also often used in compound words such as 'Arbeitsspeicher' (RAM) or 'Handyspeicher' (phone storage).
EXAMPLE
Mein Handyspeicher ist schon wieder voll, ich muss Fotos löschen.
My phone storage is full again; I need to delete photos.
Compare with
Speicher vs Boden
floor / ground
Boden and Speicher can both refer to the space directly under the roof. Boden is a general term for this attic space, while Speicher is especially appropriate when things are stored or put there.
Speicher
Durch die kleine Luke bringt man die alten Kisten auf den Speicher.
The old crates are taken up to the attic through the small hatch.
Boden
Durch die kleine Luke gelangt man auf den Boden.
You can reach the attic through the small hatch.
In real life
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