01
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
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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
'der Boden' and 'der Speicher' can both mean the room directly under the roof. In this sense, 'Boden' is a short form of 'Dachboden' (attic) and is often used in everyday language. 'Speicher' emphasizes more strongly that things are stored there, and it is very common depending on the region. They can be confused because 'Boden' can also mean a floor or soil, and 'Speicher' can also mean something technical, such as storage or memory. In the context of a house, both often mean something similar.
Speicher
Im Speicher haben wir die Wintersachen und alte Bücher gelagert.
We have stored the winter clothes and old books in the attic.
Boden
Auf dem Boden stehen noch alte Kisten von meinen Großeltern.
There are still old boxes from my grandparents in the attic.
In real life
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