spool / coil
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spool
A cylindrical or roll-shaped object onto which something long and thin, such as thread, wire, cable, or film, is wound.
Der Faden auf der Spule der Nähmaschine ist fast leer.
The thread on the sewing machine spool is almost empty.
coil
An electrical component made of wound wire that creates a magnetic field when current flows through it. In electrical engineering, it is referred to as inductance.
In diesem alten Radio ist eine große Spule verbaut, um die Frequenzen zu filtern.
A large coil is built into this old radio to filter the frequencies.
You can tell from the context whether a mechanical or an electrical 'Spule' (spool/coil) is meant. Words like 'Faden' (thread), 'Garn' (yarn/thread), or 'Nähmaschine' (sewing machine) point to the roll used for winding. Terms like 'Strom' (current), 'Magnetfeld' (magnetic field), or 'Motor' (motor) point to the electrical component.
Bitte wechsle die Garnspule an der Nähmaschine.
Please change the thread spool on the sewing machine.
When something is or is being wound onto a 'Spule' (spool), the preposition 'auf' is used. For position, the dative is used ('auf der Spule' — on the spool); for direction, the accusative is used ('auf die Spule' — onto the spool).
Auf der Spule ist nicht mehr viel Faden übrig.
There isn't much thread left on the spool.
In everyday life, 'Spule' (spool) is often used in connection with sewing, fishing, or cables. Typical verbs are 'aufwickeln' (to wind up), 'abspulen' (to unwind/play through), or 'einlegen' (to insert), e.g. into a sewing machine.
Wir müssen das lange Kabel wieder auf die Spule aufwickeln.
We have to wind the long cable back onto the spool.
In the meaning as an electrical component, 'Spule' (coil) is a technical term from electrical engineering and physics. In this context, people also speak of 'Induktivität' (inductance).
Eine Spule erzeugt ein Magnetfeld, sobald Strom durch sie fließt.
A coil creates a magnetic field as soon as current flows through it.
role / roll
Rolle and Spule can both refer to something wound up. Rolle often means the wound material itself or the entire object, while Spule refers especially to the body onto which thread, wire, cable, or film is wound. When the focus is on the holder, Spule is more precise.
Das Kabel ist für den Transport auf eine Spule gewickelt.
The cable is wound onto a spool for transport.
Auf der Rolle ist noch viel Kabel für die Reparatur.
There is still a lot of cable on the roll for the repair.
